Take Flight with On The Fly Tapsters' Aviation-Themed Cocktails
At On The Fly Tapsters, we’re always ready to take your events to new heights. Our latest collection of aviation-themed cocktails is inspired by Nathan Cumming, the co-owner of our company and an Army aviation officer. Curated by the legendary mixologist Brian Van Flandern, these drinks are designed to make your taste buds soar.
Meet the Master Mixologist: Brian Van Flandern
Before we dive into these extraordinary cocktails, let’s introduce the man behind them. Brian Van Flandern, often hailed as one of the world’s greatest mixologists, has an impressive resume. He has worked in some of the finest bars and restaurants globally, including the award-winning Pegu Club in New York City. Brian is also a celebrated author of cocktail books and has made numerous TV appearances on shows like "Bar Rescue" and "Top Chef". His accolades include being named “America’s Top Mixologist” by The Food Network. With such a distinguished background, Brian brings unparalleled expertise to every cocktail he creates.
The Ascent
First on our list is The Ascent. Just like Nathan’s aviation career, this highball of goodness featuring Ketel One Vodka, passion fruit puree, and fresh lime juice, will elevate your spirits and get your event off to a flying start.
Recipe:
1 ½ oz. Ketel One Vodka
1 oz. Passion Fruit Puree
½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 ½ oz. Simple Syrup
1 oz. Prosecco
Method: Place all ingredients (except Prosecco) into a Boston glass, add large ice, and shake vigorously. Add Prosecco, tumble roll back and forth once, taste for balance, double strain into a highball glass, and garnish with an edible orchid.
Buzzing the Tower
Hold onto your hats with Buzzing the Tower, a cocktail that mixes Basil Hayden with Hennessey VSOP. This bold and sophisticated drink will have you feeling like you’re right there in the cockpit with Nathan.
Recipe:
1 oz. Basil Hayden
½ oz. Hennessey VSOP
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 ½ oz. Simple Syrup
4-5 Large Muddled Mint Leaves
Method: Place all liquor into a mixing tin, add mint and muddle thoroughly until leaves are bruised. Add remaining ingredients, large ice, and shake vigorously. Double strain over crushed ice into a julep cup (or rocks glass) and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
Fly By
Smooth and refreshing, Fly By features Tito’s Vodka, fresh lime juice, and English cucumber juice. It’s a first-class ticket to flavor town, much like Nathan’s aerial adventures.
Recipe:
1 ½ oz. Tito’s Vodka
½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz. Cane Sugar Water 1:1
1 oz. Fresh English Cucumber Juice (with the skins on)
½ oz. Moscato d’Asti
Method: Place all ingredients (except Moscato d’Asti) into a Boston glass, add large ice, and shake vigorously. Add Moscato, tumble roll back and forth once, taste for balance, double strain into a highball glass, and garnish with a cucumber wedge.
Mile High Club
Welcome to the Mile High Club! With Hennessy VSOP Cognac, Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Syrup, and half & half, this cocktail is as luxurious as a private jet.
Recipe:
1 ½ oz. Hennessy VSOP Cognac
1 oz. Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Syrup
1 oz. Half & Half (or Whole Milk)
½ oz. Cane Sugar Syrup
2 Dashes of Chocolate (Mole) Bitters
Method: Garnish a martini glass with a cocoa powder rim. Place all ingredients into a Boston glass, add large ice, shake vigorously, taste for balance, double strain into the glass, and serve.
Smoke in the Cockpit
Fasten your seatbelts for Smoke in the Cockpit, a cocktail that combines Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Casamigos Mezcal, and Luxardo Amaretto for a smoky, nutty, and citrusy experience.
Recipe:
1 ½ oz. Casamigos Blanco Tequila
¼ oz. Casamigos Mezcal
¼ oz. Luxardo Amaretto
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz. Agave Nectar
One Egg White
Method: Add FRESH egg white to a Boston glass, following egg white protocol. Add remaining ingredients, large ice, and shake vigorously. Taste for balance, double strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass, and garnish with a lime wedge and a half rim of black lava salt.
Project Runway
Strut down the runway with Project Runway, a cocktail that’s as stylish as it is delicious. Featuring Bombay Sapphire Gin, Luxardo Cherry Liqueur, and Green Chartreuse, this drink is a fashion-forward mix of bold flavors.
Recipe:
1 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin
¼ oz. Luxardo Cherry Liqueur
¼ oz. Green Chartreuse
1 ¼ oz. Lime Juice
1 ¼ oz. Simple Syrup
Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing tin, add large ice, shake vigorously, double strain into a cocktail coupe, and garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
Pan Am
Take a nostalgic trip back in time with Pan Am, a cocktail that evokes the golden age of air travel. Made with Barsol Pisco, fresh lime juice, and cantaloupe juice, this drink is a refreshing nod to classic flavors.
Recipe:
1 ¼ oz. Barsol Pisco
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 ¼ oz. Simple Syrup
½ oz. Fresh Cantaloupe Juice
1 Egg White
Method: Place all ingredients into a Boston glass, dry shake (with coil), then add large ice, shake vigorously, taste for balance, double strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass, and garnish with a lime wedge.
Full Throttle
Rev up your engines with Full Throttle, a cocktail that’s bold, complex, and ready to take you on a wild ride. Featuring Four Roses Bourbon, Campari, and Amaro Nonino, this drink is a powerhouse of flavors.
Recipe:
1 ½ oz. Four Roses Bourbon
½ oz. Campari
½ oz. Amaro Nonino
1 ½ oz. Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth
2 Dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass, add large ice, stir thoroughly, taste for balance, single strain slowly into a cocktail coupe making sure not to aerate the liquid. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry on a cocktail pick and smoked sage under the glass (brulé torch required).
Jet Stream
Soar through the sky with Jet Stream, a cocktail that’s light, refreshing, and full of vibrant flavors. Featuring Empress 1908 Gin, fresh lime juice, and Fever Tree Tonic Water, this drink is a refreshing delight.
Recipe:
1 ½ oz. Empress 1908 Gin
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 ¼ oz. Simple Syrup
1 ¼ oz. Fever Tree Tonic Water
Method: Place all ingredients (except Fever Tree Tonic Water) into a Boston glass, add large ice, and shake vigorously. Add tonic, tumble roll back and forth once, taste for balance, double strain into a highball glass, and garnish with a lime wedge and a touch of dry ice.
How Yaw Doin’
Say hello to How Yaw Doin’, a cocktail that’s as friendly and approachable as its name suggests. Featuring Bacardi White Rum, fresh lime juice, and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer, this drink is a refreshing and zesty delight.
Recipe:
1 ½ oz. Bacardi White Rum
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
1 ¼ oz. Simple Syrup
1 ½ oz. Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
Float of Jack Daniels No.7
Method: Add all ingredients (except Jack Daniels) to a Boston glass, add large ice, shake vigorously, taste for balance, double strain over fresh ice into a highball glass, add float, and garnish with a lime wedge.
May Day
Send out a signal for help with May Day, a cocktail that’s sure to save your taste buds from boredom. Featuring Tanqueray Gin, Tito’s Vodka, and Italicus, this drink is a complex and aromatic delight.
Recipe:
1 oz. Tanqueray Gin
1 oz. Tito’s Vodka
½ oz. Italicus
½ oz. Rosa Ramazzotti
Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass, add large ice, stir thoroughly, taste for balance, single strain slowly into a cocktail coupe making sure not to aerate the liquid. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Black Box Chatter
Unlock the secrets of the Black Box Chatter, a cocktail that’s as intriguing and complex as its name suggests. Featuring Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon (Bacon Fat Washed), simple syrup, and barrel-aged bitters, this drink is a savory and smoky delight.
Recipe:
2 oz. Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon (Bacon Fat Washed)
¼ oz. Simple Syrup
2 Dashes of Barrel-Aged Bitters
Method: Place all ingredients into a Boston glass, add large ice, stir thoroughly, taste for balance, double strain into a double-wide old-fashioned glass with a sphere, and garnish with candied bacon.
Bacon Fat Wash Method: Empty a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon into a bowl. Add four slices of properly cooked, thick-cut bacon and let it rest for at least 4 hours at room temperature. Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Filter the bourbon through a strainer and cheesecloth, then return it to the bottle and label it “FAT WASHED BOURBON.”
Ready to elevate your next event? Contact On The Fly Tapsters and let our expert mixologists craft these delightful cocktails for you and your guests. Cheers!
