Alcoholic beverages in economy aren’t terribly exciting, but here are a few tips to make the most of what’s available (or even BYO).  

Skip the lounge

If you’re flying First Class, don’t go overboard in the lounge. The best stuff is served on the plane. With Emirates for example, the lounge will serve Moët & Chandon but save Dom Pérignon for the flight. Singapore Airlines similarly has Krug for the flight and lower calibre champagne for the lounge. 

Carry-on cocktail kit

Upgrade your inflight drink with a cocktail kit. There’s a bunch of brands that make cocktail kits – all precisely premeasured for inflight restrictions. Margarita? W&P Design makes a Carry-On Cocktail Kit that comes with margarita mix, rimming salt, spoon, recipe card and linen coaster. Just add tequila or vodka and you’re set. There’s also an Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule, Champagne cocktail and Bloody Mary kit – all available online or at Dan Murphy’s.

When planes serve you lemons… 

Cocktails in economy? Obviously the trolley isn’t equipped to whip up Espresso Martinis and Aperol Spritzes, but you can ask for simple cocktails like a G&T, Mimosa, Dark ‘N’ Stormy if they have ginger ale, and scotch and soda. You can even mix red wine with orange juice and a dash of soda to make Sangria. 

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Get creative

Had a coffee in the terminal? Pick up a pack of sugar to make yourself a Caipiroska – a twist on a Brazilian Caipirinha. Start by adding a few wedges of lime, pour some sugar on top, a spoon to muddle then top with vodka and ice. If you feel like making it a bit easier to drink, add soda or lemonade. Or with a Bloody Mary cocktail kit, whip up a Michelada – a spicy beer cocktail. It’s not for everyone. Fill up a cup with ice, add beer, Bloody Mary mix and a few fresh limes, then stir.

Try your luck

If the flight isn’t too busy, you could always ask if the crew has a favourite cocktail from the bar cart. It can go one of two ways. You might be met with a strange look, or they might oblige and have a favourite, easy cocktail they can whip up. 

A little bar snack

Depending on which airline you fly, you may get some complimentary nuts or cheese and crackers. If you’re flying on a budget airline, there are loads of pocket sized snacks you can pick up at your local supermarket. Like a packet of Monini’s resealable pitted olives or even some dried ones. Otherwise, a snack-size pack of chips, a ziplock bag of nuts or the totally unfancy Le Snak. With a bit of planning, you can buy a few goodies during your weekly supermarket shop and save them for your inflight aperitivo.

You can ask for more

And you don’t need to stop at one. Airlines don’t have a limit on how much you can order, so take a walk to the galley and ask for another. Keep in mind that flight attendants are responsible for keeping everyone safe so they will cut you off if you’re drunk.

This article was originally published on escape.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission. 

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