When this flight attendant decided to share some creative drink recipes that crew members make for themselves, she didn’t expect this backlash.
But on the internet, even innocent drink combinations can spark unexpected controversy.
Flight Attendant Shares ‘Secret Menu’ Drinks
In a viral slideshow video with more than 34,000 views, Taylor (@elegancebythemile), a New Jersey-based flight attendant, shared what she calls “fun flight attendant drinks to make if you feel like going the extra mile for someone.”
The six creative beverage combinations:
- The Pink Drink: Cranberry juice, three creamers, and a splash of Sprite
- The Jet Fuel: Cold brew and Coca-Cola in equal parts (Taylor notes this one’s not her favorite, but some people like it.)
- The Orange Julius: Orange juice mixed with two to three sugar packets, shaken up, poured over ice, and topped with three creamers
- The Bev Cart Punch: Orange juice with a splash of cranberry and a splash of ginger ale
- The Dry Mimosa: Ginger ale topped with orange juice
- The Southern Sweet Tea: Two tea bags brewed in one hot cup with 11 sugar packets, then poured over a full cup of ice (Taylor pours the mixture back and forth between two cups to mix and cool it down,)
In her caption, Taylor clarified an important point: “This is for my FAs! If you’re a passenger and you ask for any of these, the crew will not know what you’re talking about.”
She explained that these aren’t official menu items. They’re just creative combinations that flight attendants might make for themselves.
How To Upgrade In-Flight Drinks
Taylor’s not the only one getting creative with airplane drink carts. According to industry pros interviewed by Food & Wine, there are plenty of ways to elevate standard in-flight beverages.
Richie Barrow of Hero Bar in Nairobi recommends bringing mini-bottles of Scrappy’s Bitters—like cardamom or black lemon—in your carry-on to ramp up a standard vodka soda.
“Bitters can level up any drink, adding depth to even the simplest of drinks,” he told the publication.
For Bloody Mary fans disappointed by the standard sachet of salt and pepper, Barrow suggests packing Tabasco’s classic 1/8-ounce mini-bottle as “the perfect remedy for kicking up the spice quotient.”
Simon Ford, co-founder of Fords Gin and frequent flyer, recommends W&P’s carry-on cocktail kits, which provide the accoutrements planes don’t have. When you order a mini bottle of Woodford Reserve, you can turn it into a proper Old Fashioned right at your seat.
And if you’re in first class, Ford says to opt for the complimentary champagne. “Champagne companies offer great deals to flight companies,” he explains, meaning the quality is often excellent.
What Flight Attendants Would Never Drink On A Plane
There’s one category of drinks flight attendants consistently avoid: anything made with airplane water.
Southern Living spoke with current and former flight attendants who revealed they won’t touch coffee or tea on planes because water tanks aren’t cleaned frequently enough and may contain contaminants.
“I don’t drink coffee on the plane,” one anonymous flight attendant told the publication. “The hot water often smells like chlorine, and if it doesn’t, you suspect it even more.”
Multiple crew members said they’ve witnessed the inside of those tanks during maintenance stops—and it wasn’t a pretty sight. EPA surveys found that roughly one in eight airplanes failed water safety standards, including tests for coliform bacteria.
“We were literally trained to avoid drinking from the aircraft water supply unless it had been boiled or there were no other options available,” said Steve Nixon, who flew for American Airlines for five years. “That was not just a safety measure for passengers. It applied to the crew as well.”
Instead, flight attendants recommend sealed beverages like bottled water, canned soda, or bringing coffee from the terminal.
Commenters React
“Just want to let everyone know that these are United Airlines exclusive beverages. Only United flight attendants will make these beverages for you,” a top comment read.
“Oh no ma’am! For crew use only,” a person said.
“These sound like a trip straight to the bathroom,” another wrote.
“You just opened up that can of worms,” a commenter added.
BroBible reached out to Taylor via TikTok direct message and comment.