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We tried Delta's new onboard cocktails — here's what we thought

April 29, 2021
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3 min read
Tip Top Old-Fashioned Cocktail
We tried Delta's new onboard cocktails — here's what we thought
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Here's something to toast: Travel is starting to show signs of returning to normal.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic is still very much a concern, of course, but the success of the vaccine campaign here in the U.S. has meant things can start getting back to the way they were in the "before" days.

One thing that's meant — aside from fuller flights — is that airlines are resuming onboard food and beverage service, which had been suspended for much of the pandemic in order to minimize interactions between customers and flight attendants.

Some carriers are using this as an opportunity to tweak their inflight offerings. Delta, for instance, rolled out several new items, including canned, ready-to-drink cocktails made by Atlanta-based Tip Top Proper Cocktails.

I'm no mixologist, but I consider myself to be a bit of a cocktail aficionado (I even say so in my TPG bio). So, naturally, I wanted to see how the canned concoctions stacked up.

Tip Top makes a wide variety of cocktails, although Delta offers only the Old-Fashioned and the margarita. So, TPG asked the airline for a few samples and held a taste test, comparing the canned cocktails to the real thing. For the sake of standardization, we followed the recipes posted on The New York Times' website. We also tried each of the canned cocktails on the rocks.

The short version is: the drinks are good. Very good.

The Old-Fashioned hit the spot, with a nice boozy bite coming through at the front, offset nicely by the sweetness of sugar and complemented by a hint of orange bitters. My only complaint was that I usually prefer a bit more bitters in my Old-Fashioned.

But when we followed the recipe from the Times to the letter, it was quite similar. I suppose when I make them myself, I add an extra dash or two. I do hope Delta finds a way to add a dried or candied orange as a garnish when serving the cocktail, but I can certainly live without it.

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Related: Inflight service is back — here’s what food and drinks you can expect on your next flight

While we enjoyed the Old-Fashioned, we're not sure it can beat the margarita.

These are dangerous. At once tangy and sweet, I can imagine downing one of these in about three seconds when I'm feeling parched at 35,000 feet. While it's a bit juicier and sourer than the ones we made following the recipe from the Times, it was nevertheless just about perfect and I'm certain I'll be ordering one (or a few) of these this summer.

Related: The FAA doubles down on fines — again — for bringing booze on board and messing with flight attendants

Overall, I'm quite pleased to have these options available on Delta, especially since, as a Platinum Medallion, I have drink vouchers waiting to be spent. I've enjoyed the Old-Fashioned on United, and it's great to see the trend spreading.

Just remember not to bring your own alcohol and drink it on a plane, and definitely don't have too many and become disruptive, or you could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Cheers!

Featured image by Mia Yakel
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.