Jet Juice

This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy here.

Cocktail History

The Jet Juice is a Star Wars cocktail that was created at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida and Anaheim, California.

This copycat recipe is meant to be a recreation of a beverage made by starship pilots in the Star Wars universe that is referred to as “engine room hooch.” It starts with a spiced bourbon base and mixes it with a disparate list of ingredients, including hot pepper and açaí liqueurs, white grape juice, and lemon.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Bourbon: This is a type of whiskey made in the United States with at least 51% corn, with other grains, water, and yeast, which are distilled and then aged in new charred oak barrels to develop a rich, caramelized flavor.

Ancho Chile Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with ancho chiles, spices, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a smoky, mildly spicy flavor.

Açai Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with açaí berries, distilled alcohol, water, and sugar, which are blended and infused to develop a fruity, slightly tart flavor.

White Grape Juice: This is the liquid extracted from white grapes that has a light, sweet flavor and mild acidity.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe lemons that has a sweet, tangy flavor and light yellow color.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Maker’s Mark Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
• 🔗 Ancho Reyes Original Ancho Chile Liqueur
• 🔗 Cedilla Açai Liqueur
• 🔗 Welch’s 100% White Grape Juice

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep your workspace clean and organized.

Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance that quickly extracts juice from citrus fruits using a motorized reamer, making the process faster and easier than manual juicing.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass.

Highball Glass: This is a tall, slim glass that’s used for mixed drinks with a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixers.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 A Bar Above Premium Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 Volarium Small Highball Glass

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Vibrant brown-orange color
• Aroma: Rich wheated bourbon layered with juicy grape
• Taste: Complex interplay of bourbon and bright lemon, gradually giving way to a subtle, spicy pepper kick
• Finish: Sweet grape notes balanced by a hint of bitter açaí

Kendall’s Take
“The Jet Juice is a curious blend of flavors that makes you want to know the story behind it—a mixture of sweet and spicy that I’d certainly call a true nod to the ‘engine room hooch’ mentioned in the Star Wars universe. The bourbon stands out nicely, and while the combination of whiskey with grape, ancho chile, and fruit is unconventional, I found it a fun take. If I were to make it again, I’d probably dial back the white grape juice, but either way, it’s a unique sip that’s worth exploring for any Star Wars cocktail fan who already enjoys whiskey.”

Recipe