How to Make Bad Airplane Booze Taste Better (& Save Money, Too)

It's nice to have a drink on an airplane, whether you're taking a flight somewhere fun or for work. However, what's not so nice is the high prices and relatively bad quality of the liquor that's available.

If that's what's holding you back from having a nice tipple, never fear: we've got several ways to make airplane booze taste better, from wine to beer to hard liquor (and some sneaky ways to save some dough, too).

#1. Aerate Airplane Wine

We've already shown you how the simple act of aeration can make almost any wine taste better. That's because when you expose wine to air, the volatile compounds that make wine taste harsh oxidize. That is, they break down and begin to disappear.

Traditional methods of decanting require a wide-bottomed container and time.

You can aerate your bad airplane wine by pouring into a wide-mouthed cup and letting it sit out for several minutes (I try to make it to 10, but I usually break around minute 5). Alas, some flights are short and others can be turbulent, so what do you do then?

David Yanofsky of Quartz points out that other methods of aeration (pouring wine from container to container, using a blender to hypercant it) aren't really convenient on a plane. Instead, he suggests using the container itself to hypercant the wine, or get air into it at a super-fast pace.

Pour out a little wine into your cup so there's extra space in the bottle. Then shake that mother up (but don't shake your whole seat, or you'll get glares from your neighbors).

If you're really thinking ahead and don't mind waiting a few minutes, you can be a true wine nerd and bring a tall, empty container with you—glass or plastic are preferable to metal, paper, or Styrofoam, which might make the drink taste funny.

That way you don't have to worry about turbulence spattering wine all over your shirt—but getting your drink down before your short hop between L.A. and San Francisco will still be a factor.

#2. Bring Your Own Single-Shot Nips

The TSA says it's fine to bring alcohol in your carry-on baggage. It just has to comply with the 3-1-1 rule (under three ounces and fits in a one-quart plastic baggie). It may mean foregoing shampoo or conditioner, but again: cheap booze. Just remember that national laws and most major airline rules say you can't drink alcohol unless it was purchased from an attendant, so you'll have to be super-cool about getting to your contraband.

No shampoo, no soap, no toothpaste: Who cares?

If you're not crazy about taking up space in that already small plastic bag of toiletries, then get some Pocket Shots instead. These plastic pouches contain 1.6 oz of liquor each and are easier to pack than the classic mini bottles. The LA Weekly reviewed a few of the flavors and gave the bourbon and rum high marks.

#3. BYOM (Bring Your Own Mixers) & Make Cocktails

Andrew Knowlton, restaurant and drinks editor for Bon Appétit, has three near-classic cocktails that he makes on the plane. The secret to elevating the quality? He brings his own cocktail add-ons or sneaks them from the airport food court beforehand.

You can practically turn your airplane seat into its own mini-bar with a little forethought.

Pink Gin Recipe

Add a dash from your own mini-bottle of bitters, an extra lemon wedge, and gin over a cup of ice.

Michelada Recipe

If there's a reasonably good Mexican restaurant in the food court, ask for a little hot sauce in a to-go container. Get your preferred beer, a cup of ice, a couple of lemon or lime wedges, and Bloody Mary mix. Mix according to your taste in the cup. Add hot sauce last.

Caipiroska Recipe

It's a variation on the Caipirinha, a favorite Brazilian drink made with rum, sugar, and lime.

Take one packet of raw sugar from the food court's classiest coffee shop (plain ol' white sugar will do, but it's not as good). Next, request a vodka mini, an empty cup, a cup of ice, and a few lime wedges. Use the vodka bottle to muddle (lightly mash or press together) the lime and sugar. The idea is to express the juice and some of the aromatic oils in the lime peel and have them mix with the sugar until it's syrupy. Add ice and vodka. Stir. Drink. Sigh with happiness.

More Drink Recipes?

Want more ideas for in-flight cocktails? Thrillist has great ideas for even more DIY airplane cocktails, especially if you remember to pack your own garnishes beforehand.

#4. Flying Southwest? Get Free Drinks on Certain Dates

Jaunted.com reports that on certain holidays, Southwest Airlines will give its passengers a free drink. There's only three more freebie days for 2014, but here's the whole list so you can think about next year, too.

• Chase Customer Appreciation Day for folks enrolled in Southwest's Rapid Rewards program (8/12/2014)
• Halloween (10/31/2014)
• Thanksgiving Day (11/26/2014)

• New Year's Day (1/1/2015)
• Valentine's Day (2/14/2015)
• St Patrick's Day (3/17/2015)
• Mother's Day (5/10/2015)
• Memorial Day (5/25/2015)
• Father's Day (6/21/2015)
• Southwest Airlines' Birthday (6/18/2015)
• Independence Day (7/4/2015)

Southwest officials confirmed to me that the airline generally hands out one free drink per passenger on all of holidays and notable occasions listed above. Of course, if it's not listed as a freebie in the latest in-flight menu, it's not "official" official.

The free alcoholic drinks listing for Q3/2014.

Southwest is also one of only a few airlines that now carries craft beer on their drink carts, so if you're a fan of Fat Tire brews, you're in luck.

What airplane cocktail hacks do you like?

Cover image via The Alcohol Enthusiast