Crafthouse Cocktails on United Flights Flying Just got Tastier with Espresso Martini, Mai Tai, Moonlighter
Crafthouse Cocktails’ bar-quality canned cocktails are now available on select United flights, including three new drinks created in collaboration with United – Espresso Martini, Mai Tai, and Moonlighter – alongside Pineapple Daiquiri.
This marks the first time United offers canned cocktails on domestic flights.
Crafted by Charles Joly, James Beard Award-winning mixologist, made with the same premium spirits and high-quality ingredients Joly uses behind the bar.
“We’re thrilled to partner with United to elevate the inflight experience by offering passengers the balance and flavors they’d expect from their favorite cocktail bar,”
Charles Joly
Co-Founder
Crafthouse Cocktails
United customers on domestic flights 300 miles or more can now order Espresso Martini and Moonlighter, and flights between the continental U.S. and Hawaii additionally offer’ Mai Tai and Pineapple Daiquiri.
Espresso Martini: The Cocktail That Wakes You Up and Messes You Up
The Espresso Martini was born in the 1980s at the Soho Brasserie in London. Legendary bartender Dick Bradsell created it when a model asked for a drink that would “wake her up and mess her up.” Bradsell combined vodka, freshly brewed espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup, shaking it to create its signature frothy top. Originally called the Vodka Espresso, it later became the Espresso Martini during the 1990s cocktail renaissance. Its smooth balance of caffeine and alcohol made it a favorite worldwide, cementing its status as a modern classic and a staple in cocktail culture.
Mai Tai: The Tiki Classic That Took the World by Storm
The Mai Tai was created in 1944 by Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron in Oakland, California. Seeking to showcase the quality of aged Jamaican rum, he mixed it with lime juice, orgeat syrup, orange curaçao, and simple syrup. When a Tahitian friend tasted it and exclaimed, “Maita’i roa ae!” (meaning “very good!”), the name stuck. The drink became a symbol of tiki culture, spreading through Polynesian-themed bars and resorts. A victim of over-sweetened adaptations, true Mai Tai purists insist on its bold, well-balanced original recipe—one that highlights the rum rather than masking it.
Moonlighter: A Modern Classic with a Mysterious Glow
The Moonlighter is a newer addition to the cocktail world, often associated with smoky mezcal or bourbon, citrus, and a hint of herbal complexity. While its origins are debated, it embodies the spirit of late-night indulgence, blending deep flavors with a touch of brightness. Whether crafted with amaro, honey, or aromatic bitters, the Moonlighter is a drink for those who appreciate nuance. It has gained popularity in craft cocktail bars, where bartenders play with variations to create a drink that feels timeless yet innovative. Like the name suggests, it’s best enjoyed under dim lights with good company.
The new drinks are complimentary for passengers in United Business® and United First and available for-purchase in United Economy® for $12.
Flying Just got Tastier with Crafthouse Cocktails thanks you Espresso Martini, Mai Tai, Moonlighter
“These cocktails are seriously good – flavorful and high-quality – and from a local Chicago company, which we’re really proud of,” said Aaron McMillan, United’s Managing Director of Hospitality Programs. “As we continue to evolve our onboard food and drink menus, companies like Crafthouse Cocktails are helping us deliver more on-trend options and variety to our customers.”
Free from artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives, and are gluten-free.
Launching with United, the new offerings are also available for purchase through select retailers. Flavors include:
- Espresso Martini – premium vodka, coffee, Angostura bitters
- Moonlighter – vodka steeped with chamomile and lavender featuring Brovo Spirits’ Pretty Bianco Vermouth
- Mai Tai – Planteray Xaymaca Special Dry Rum and O.F.T.D. Overproof Rum, orange curaçao, Liquid Alchemists’ almond orgeat, lime
- Pineapple Daiquiri – Planteray Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum and O.F.T.D. Overproof Rum, lime, bitters.
Crafthouse Cocktails delivers bar-quality, ready-to-drink cocktails made with premium spirits and all-natural ingredients. Founded in 2013 by James Beard Award winner and World Champion bartender Charles Joly, and restaurateur Matt Lindner, the independent brand crafts perfectly balanced cocktails that are free from artificial sweeteners, colors, and preservatives, and are gluten-free.
For more information, visit www.crafthousecocktails.com.
