Today we’re excited to announce the Delta Sky Club’s new Luxury Bar! It has arrived in the Newark, New York (JFK and LGA), Palm Beach, Seattle and Washington, DC (DCA) Clubs and is coming soon to additional locations. The new Luxury Bar offers premium wines, champagne and spirits for purchase, plus you’ll also be able to purchase master mixologist-created specialty cocktails including “Wheels Up” and “The Take Off”
We sat down with Elayne Duke, head mixologist for Diageo Wine and Spirits, our new premium wine and spirits partner, to learn more about the creations and what inspired them.
Q: Thanks for sitting down with us, Elayne. So first things first—what exactly is a mixologist, and how did you become one?
Becoming an accomplished mixologist took years of study and practice with the legends of our craft. Taking countless classes, reading every book about the craft and working with the finest luxury spirits have developed me as a mixologist
A mixologist is somebody who has the passion for the art of creating delicious well balanced drinks, who takes pride in his/her craft and is dedicated to delivering a premium experience.
Q: What inspired your drink creations for the Delta Sky Club?
The drink offers at the Delta Sky Clubs were inspired by the exotic destinations Delta flies, as well as the Season.
Q: What do you think will be a Club favorite and why?
With the variety of options, it is hard to choose one. All of the cocktails designed for the Delta Sky Clubs are sure to be favorites!
Q: Customers want to know—will the Clubs still offer complimentary wines and spirits?
I know that many of you are questioning what these additional options mean for the current complimentary alcohol program, and I’m happy to tell you that it isn’t changing. Period. You will still have the complimentary alcohol options you’ve had in the past, free of charge, at all Delta Sky Clubs. The premium spirits program offers additional options for customers looking for premium alcohol during their Club experience.
Q: What else should customers know when picking out the right drink for them?
All of the cocktails and spirits offered at the Delta Sky Club are made with a luxurious portfolio of spirits including: Tequila Don Julio, Johnnie Walker, Ketel One Vodka, Bulleit Bourbon and always fresh seasonal ingredients. Customers should be adventurous when choosing their beverage and step out of their cocktail comfort zone. Travel, whether for work or pleasure, is always a bit adventurous so your choice of beverage should be as well.
Elayne Duke
Head Mixologist, Diageo Wine and Spirits
Elayne Duke has been the head mixologist for Diageo Wine and Spirits for the past five years, creating cocktails for some of New York’s finest restaurants, including Le Bernardin, Central Park Boathouse and Villa Pacri.
She studied mixology as a student of the Beverage Alcohol Resource, America’s premiere course on spirits and cocktails, where she honed her technique under world-renowned mixology experts Paul Pacult, David Wondrich, Steve Olson, Doug Frost and Dale Degroff.
In 2009, Elayne was honored by the James Beard Foundation as one of the most prominent female mixologists in the country.
