Airport lounge access is one of the greatest perks of holding an elite frequent flyer status or finding a great business or first class deal.

Away from the crowds, airport lounges generally leave you with a positive feeling and experience. In the lounges you’ll find offerings of good wines, spirits, beers, hot food, and even occasionally you’ll even have the change to shower.

Some of the finest lounges offer nifty cocktail bars, and in that case, there’s no need for this list. However, others leave a shelf that allows you to make your own magic. Here’s how to elevate your lounge cocktail experience to the next level.

Cuban Sidecar

The perfect pre-flight drink for travel to a sunny destination.

Add in citrus and aromatics from lime, orange, and cointreau to make a complex and captivating drink to pass some time waiting for your flight.

If you’re wondering, cointreau can be found at many airport lounges, so making this drink is likely easier than you think.

Ingredients

• Dark or light rum
• Lime or lime wedges
• Cointreau.

Optionally, add some orange, cherry brandy, or pineapple.

Step 1: Squeeze 2 to 4 lime wedges into glass. Push the skins down with cutlery to release zest.

Step 2: Add ice to glass, swirl around to release the aromas of the lime zest.

Step 3: Add equal parts cointreau and rum.

Step 4: Fill separate glass with ice, then transfer the mixture between the two glasses.

Step 5: Add an extra touch with a garnish or squeeze fresh orange, pineapple, or dash cherry brandy.

“Espresso” Martini

Every half decent lounge offers an espresso machine and some average vodka, which also happen to be the two key components of an espresso martini. Here’s how to create something that’s more than just drinkable.

There are plenty of ways to have fun with this recipe’s sharpness. This “espresso” martini isn’t traditional, but no one else will know it.

For something more creamy and decadent, add a little Baileys. This is a fantastic drink to start the day or end the night.

Ingredients

• Double espresso
• Plain or vanilla vodka
• Sugar

To spark things up a bit, add some cinnamon, Frangelico, or Baileys

Step 1: Fill a cup or glass with Ice. Pour sugar on top, (optionally) dash cinnamon.

Step 2: Place cup in espresso machine and dispense double espresso into cup. Let chill.

Step 3: Stir mixture and then pour into a new glass, without the ice.

Step 4: With a new glass, pour your preferred amount of vodka over the ice into new glass.

Step 5: Pour the espresso mix into the glass with vodka on ice. Stir vigorously.

Step 6: Add Baileys or Frangelico to taste (optional).

“French 75” – Airport Lounge Version

Zingy, sharp, herbal, and refreshing with crisp champagne or prosecco. This is a cocktail that’s good at any time of the day. It’s also surprisingly doable for a very refined drink.

You might look a bit crazy at first, with all the glasses and pouring, but it’s worth it and it’ll all make sense in the end.

But, don’t be intimidated, even for a novice this is as simple as dissolving sugar and a squeeze of lemon.

Ingredients

• Champagne or prosecco
• Gin
• Lemon
• Sugar
• Water

Aromatic bitters are optional.

Step 1: Open 2 packets of sugar into a coffee mug. Pour minimal hot water over sugar to dissolve.

Step 2: Grab another cup and fill with ice. Once sugar dissolves, pour mixture into ice cup.

Step 3: Squeeze 2 or 3 lemon wedges into a champagne glass. A similarly shaped glass can be used.

Step 4: Pour sugar syrup (without the ice) over lemon juice in glass.

Step 5: Add one measure of preferred gin (chill gin before adding). Stir mixture vigorously.

Step 6: Fill to top with Champagne or Prosecco. Garnish with lemon (optional).

Old Fashioned

Lounges are certainly stocked with whiskey. It’s often poured less aggressively than other spirits, which means airlines tend to stock some premium labels. Lounges are also known to carry fruit for passing guests, and of course – sugar.

By request, you can almost always get some bitters as well. If you love an Old Fashioned, and I do, they’re extremely easy to make. Also, including rum can add a nice twist.

Something to bear in mind, many bitters are under 100ml, and liquids under 100ml can be brought through airport security without any issues. If you have favorite bitters or spirit, bring it.

Ingredients

• Rye
• Bourbon
• Scotch or Rum
• 1 Orange
• Sugar packet
• Water

Soda water is optional.

Step 1: Grab a sugar packet and open it into a preferred low ball glass.

Step 2: Grab, or request, Angostura (or similar) bitters. Dash bitters over sugar.

Step 3: Use cutlery from lounge to press down on sugar, releasing bitters into sugar.

Step 4: Add dash of water or soda water to slightly dissolve sugar.

Step 5: Use knife, fork or hands to peel large skin section of orange.

Step 6: Twist the orange peel and rub it around the rim of the glass, place inside glass after twist.

Step 7: Add ice as desired and pour preferred spirit over cube. Stir as desired.

Don’t Be A Jerk!

Making drinks is fun and the more you experiment, the better you’ll become. But, remember to keep things within reason.

Being tasered or duct taped to your seat is a buzz kill, and you’ll probably become Twitter or TikTok infamous before you land. Drunk idiots ruin it for everyone else who can handle their drinks.

Be smart, safe, and enjoy your DIY airport cocktail!