Maker’s Mark Wants To Pay Your Checked Bag Fee This Holiday Season

We’re ten days away from Christmas and there’s a chance you’ve got some kind of travel plans during the last two weeks of the year. If you’re a bourbon fan, Maker’s Mark might be willing to pick up the tab on your checked luggage fee as you make the holiday pilgrimage. 

Starting today, Maker’s Mark will begin it’s inaugural take-off of “Whisky Flights,” a spirited promotion designed to help lighten the load of travelers’ ‘extra baggage’ this holiday season. The well known whisky producer is encouraging holiday travelers to spend more time sipping and savoring every precious moment with family and friends and what better way to do that than to pack a bottle of bourbon to bring home. 

The program, which aims to ease some of the hassle, cost and inconvenience of holiday travel for America’s bourbon loving spirits drinkers, runs from December 15 through December 31, 2021. Travelers 21+ can head over to this website and upload an eligible checked-baggage receipt for the chance to have Maker’s Mark reimburse their checked-baggage fee, with up to $50,000 of fees covered by the brand during the promotion period.

“As a family-led brand since our inception in 1953, we’ve always believed that the perfect holiday moment starts with you, your loved ones and a bottle of bourbon to share, and we wouldn’t want anything to get in the way of that quality time,” said Rob Samuels, 8th Generation Whisky Maker and Grandson of the Founders at Maker’s Mark. “We know you can’t bring a bottle of Maker’s Mark Bourbon in your carry-on luggage, so we’re encouraging folks to check a bag on their next holiday-bound flight so they can bring a little spirit home to share. We’ll pick up that pesky fee for some lucky travelers.”

By taking care of the extra baggage of the 2021 festivities, Maker’s Mark aims to help travelers come prepared with bourbon in tow, so they can focus on more important things this holiday – like safely and joyfully coming together with loved ones after months apart to toast the moment. Whether the rest of the suitcase is filled with homemade treats, a new kitchen gadget for mom or dad or outfits for every occasion, your chance to get your bag fee covered by Maker’s Mark is just as simple as uploading a receipt.

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, it’s time to start celebrating with Maker’s Mark cocktails, of course. 

Here are four holiday recipes worth packing a bottle of bourbon for.

Eggnog

Ingredients:

• 1 liter Maker’s Mark Bourbon
• 1 qt. 2% milk
• 1 qt. heavy cream
• 2 dozen eggs – separate yolks and whites
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• Nutmeg for garnish

Method: In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Slowly add 1 cup sugar and continue to whip until dissolved. Add cream, milk and bourbon and stir to combine. In a separate bowl, beat whites until they stand in soft peaks. Gradually add in 1/2 cup of sugar until stiff peaks form. Whisk egg whites and yolk mixture together in a large punch or serving bowl. Chill, garnish with nutmeg and serve.

Merry Berry Buck

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
• 3/4 part lemon juice
• 1-1/2 parts cranberry juice
• Cold ginger ale
• Fresh cranberries and lemon wheel for garnish

Method: Add Maker’s, lemon and cranberry juice to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a highball glass over ice. Top with ginger ale. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a lemon wheel.

Kentucky Bubbly

Ingredients:

• 1 part Maker’s Mark
• Chilled Martinelli’s® Sparkling Apple Cider
• Maraschino cherry for garnish

Method: Add Maker’s Mark to a champagne flute and then fill with chilled sparkling apple cider. Add a maraschino cherry.

Rosemary Maple Sour

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 parts Maker’s Mark® Bourbon
• 3/4 part fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 part maple syrup (or to taste)
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• Fresh rosemary sprig and lemon slice for garnish

Method: Smack 1 sprig of rosemary between the palm of your hands and place in shaker. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into an ice-filled glass and garnish with lemon slice and fresh rosemary sprig.

And don’t forget to upload those checked bag receipts here between now and December 31st.