Aviation
Ingredients
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- 2 ounces gin
- 3/4 ounces lemon juice – freshly squeezed (~0.5 medium lemons)
- 1/2 ounces maraschino liqueur
- 1/4 ounces crème de violette
- 2 cups ice cubes
- maraschino cherry – for garnish
Instructions
1. Place a coupe glass in the freezer to chill for at least 5 minutes.
2. Add the gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake hard until very cold and slightly frothy, 12–15 seconds.
4. Double strain into the chilled coupe, leaving the ice behind.
5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and serve immediately.
The Aviation is a crisp, floral, and tart gin sour with a pale sky-blue hue. Bright lemon juice lifts the botanicals of the gin, while maraschino liqueur brings a dry cherry note and subtle almond-like complexity. A small measure of crème de violette adds a perfumed, violet aroma and delicate color, resulting in a poised cocktail that is refreshing yet elegant.
Created in the early 20th century, the Aviation is credited to Hugo Ensslin, a New York bartender who published it in his 1916 guide. The drink largely disappeared mid-century when crème de violette became scarce, and influential printings omitted the violet component. With the liqueur’s modern return, the Aviation has been revived as a standard-bearer of the classic cocktail renaissance, showcasing pre-Prohibition balance and precision.