The Best Airport Cocktails in the World
While traveling, there are few things worse than a flight delay, but fortunately, a delicious cocktail can help ease the pain of a long layover. For travelers who are fans of a good tipple, TPG Contributor Spencer Spellman of travel/cocktail site Whiskey Tango Globetrot shares some of the world’s best airport cocktails—and where to find them.
Célibataire—Jetside Bar, Vancouver Airport (YVR)
More hotel bar than airport bar, Jetside is located in the upscale Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, set inside YVR's international terminal just steps from the check-in counters. The finest cocktail here (among many), is the Célibataire (French for “single”), a Fairmont mainstay featuring bourbon, Cointreau, Aperol, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, and topped off with ginger beer.
Jetlag—Runway 34, Zurich International Airport (ZRH)
While Runway 34 isn't inside the Zürich Kloten Airport per se (it's airport-adjacent, instead), it's far and away the coolest bar on this list, inhabiting a retrofitted vintage Soviet plane set within a refurbished hangar. I recommend settling into the plush seating area down the aisle of the plane and keeping to the travel theme with a Jetlag, which packs a sassy punch with tequila mixed with orange juice, lemon juice, and grenadine.
Colorado Crusta—Lounge 5280, Denver International Airport (DIA)
While Lounge 5280 has a number of classic cocktails—like a Negroni and a Sazerac—many of their cocktails are Colorado-inspired, incorporating Colorado-owned or produced products. Featuring Denver-distilled Leopold Bros. whiskey, the Colorado Crusta creates a balance of sweet and sour with Michigan Tart Cherry Liqueur, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, agave, and bitters.
Singapore Sling—Rooftop Pool Bar, Singapore Changi Airport (SIN)
During your next layover in Singapore, head to the rooftop pool bar at Changi Airport. (Yes, that's right—a rooftop pool bar at an airport.) The bar is generally reserved for guests of the Ambassador Transit Hotel, but for a nominal fee, anyone can enjoy a dip and drinks—like the fruity Singapore Sling. This take on the early-1900s classic nine-ingredient cocktail features gin, Cherry Heering, Bénédictine, Cointreau, pineapple and lime juice, grenadine and bitters, and is topped with a splash of club soda.
Caribbean Grog—One Flew South, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
The cocktail menu at the award-winning One Flew South features everything from classics like the Old Fashioned to local twists on traditional drinks, like a Georgia Peach Bellini that pays homage to Georgia's state fruit. However, I prefer their version of the Caribbean Grog, a tiki-style punch drink, featuring a couple different types of rum, allspice, and grapefruit. It’ll make you feel like you’re on a beach until you actually are on a beach.
Love and Haight—Cat Cora’s Kitchen, San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Cat Cora made a name for herself on the Food Network’s Iron Chef, and amongst her restaurant mini-empire is San Francisco’s Terminal 2. Many of Cat’s cocktails are locally inspired, such as the Love and Haight, named for the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco and featuring tequila, blood orange juice, fresh lime juice, and agave.
Through T5—Plane Food, London Heathrow (LHR)
At Gordon Ramsay’s appropriately-named Plane Food in Terminal 5, the Through T5 is nothing short of dangerous, featuring a healthy pour of Grey Goose vodka mixed with pineapple, strawberry, and passion purée. As a bonus, it costs around $12, a relatively reasonable price for an airport bar.
Black Russian—Altitude, Geneva Airport (GVA)
Combine the culinary chops of two Michelin-starred chefs and you get Altitude, which pairs a seasonal Swiss-French fine-dining menu with classic martinis. For a buzz with an extra kick, order the Black Russian, a simple vodka martini spiked with a shot of coffee liqueur.
Sake Mojito—EAST Bar and Bites, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
A contemporary Asian spot, AMS' EAST Bar and Bites uses a few traditional types of sake in several of its inventive cocktails. My pick is the Sake Mojito, which includes the usual sugar, mint, lime, and club soda found in most versions of a mojito, but substitutes the rum with sake. Arigato!
What's your favorite airport cocktail? (Just asking, y'know—for a friend.)
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- 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.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 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)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- 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.