Aviation

The Aviation is a beautifully balanced gin sour, renowned for its striking, pale blue color reminiscent of the sky. Its flavor profile is a complex interplay of dry gin's botanicals, the sweet, slightly bitter cherry notes of maraschino liqueur, and the bright acidity of fresh lemon juice. The crucial ingredient, crème de violette, imparts a subtle floral aroma and taste, along with the drink's signature color, making it a truly unique and elegant cocktail.
Aviation

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Aviation is a classic cocktail, celebrated for its long history and unique ingredients. It belongs to the 'sour' family of drinks, characterized by a spirit, a sweet element, and a sour element. Its elegant presentation and complex flavor profile secure its place as a sophisticated, classic choice.

Serving

This cocktail is served cold and 'straight up' (without ice) in a pre-chilled coupe or martini glass for an elegant presentation. It has a moderate to high alcohol content, making it a relatively strong but sippable drink.
Serving size
Approximately 100 ml / 3.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 27-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Aviation was created in the early 20th century by Hugo Ensslin, the head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City. It first appeared in his 1916 publication, "Recipes for Mixed Drinks." For decades, the recipe was often printed without its key ingredient, crème de violette, as the liqueur became unavailable in the United States, leading to a pale, less complex version. The recent revival of crème de violette has allowed bartenders to recreate the drink as originally intended.
Origin
The cocktail originated in New York City, USA, around 1916. It was created by Hugo Ensslin during the pre-Prohibition era, a golden age for cocktail innovation.

Aviation

The drink is almost universally known as the Aviation. Occasionally, it is referred to by its full name, the Aviation Cocktail, but this is less common in modern usage. There are no other widely recognized alternative names for this classic.
Original name
Aviation
Alternative name
Aviation Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Aviation presents a complex aroma of floral violet and juniper, leading to a flavor that is primarily tart and citrus-forward with a sophisticated floral background. Its smooth texture and clean, dry finish make it a uniquely refreshing and memorable experience.
Flavor
Floral, citrusy, tart, complex, slightly sweet, juniper, cherry
Aroma
Floral (violet), juniper, citrus (lemon), marasca cherry
Taste balance
Sour, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, dry, lingering floral notes
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale sky-blue, sometimes light grey or lavender, clear
Texture
Smooth, crisp, light-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, all-season, spring

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink's flavor is defined by a pronounced sourness from the lemon, balanced by a subtle sweetness and fruity notes from the liqueurs. It is a still, non-creamy cocktail with a noticeable alcohol strength that is well-integrated into its complex profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires four key ingredients: a good quality gin as the base, maraschino liqueur for sweetness, crème de violette for its signature color and floral notes, and fresh lemon juice for acidity.
  • Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A quality London Dry Gin is recommended.
  • Maraschino Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Luxardo Maraschino is the traditional choice, providing a distinct funky, sweet flavor.
  • Crème de Violette7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    Essential for the classic color and floral aroma. Use sparingly as it can be overpowering.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for the best taste.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker to mix and chill the ingredients, a jigger for precise measuring, and strainers to ensure a smooth, ice-free final drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients
  • Jigger for accurate measurement
  • Fine-mesh strainer (for double straining)
  • Hawthorne strainer

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling a glass, shaking all ingredients vigorously with ice, and double straining the mixture into the prepared glass. A simple garnish completes the drink.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add the gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double strain the mixture from the shaker into the chilled glass to remove any ice shards.
7. Garnish with a brandied cherry or a lemon twist.

Garnishing

A single, high-quality brandied or maraschino cherry dropped into the glass is the classic garnish. Alternatively, a fresh lemon twist can be used to complement the citrus notes.
  • Brandied cherry, dropped into the bottom of the glass
  • Lemon twist, expressed over the drink and dropped in or placed on the rim

Dietary Information

This cocktail is alcoholic but is naturally free from common allergens such as caffeine, dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single serving of an Aviation cocktail contains around 195 calories, primarily from the alcohol and liqueurs. The sugar content is relatively low, originating from the maraschino liqueur and crème de violette.
Calories
Averagely 195 kcal / 815 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 9 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 8 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

The Aviation is an excellent choice for a sophisticated cocktail party or as an elegant aperitif before a meal. Its refreshing and complex character also makes it suitable for spring or summer gatherings. It's a drink for those who appreciate classic, well-crafted cocktails.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Pre-dinner Drink (Aperitif)
  • Sophisticated Gatherings
  • Spring or Summer Evening

Pairing suggestions

The Aviation pairs well with light and delicate flavors that will not overwhelm its complex floral and citrus notes. Consider serving it alongside mild cheeses, fresh seafood, or simple, elegant appetizers. Its character as an aperitif makes it a great start to a meal.
  • Light appetizers
  • Mild cheeses like goat cheese
  • Seafood, such as oysters or shrimp cocktail
  • Simple crackers with a light spread

The Aviation: A Flight of Floral and Citrus Fancy

The Aviation is a timeless gin cocktail that offers a journey of flavor, from its botanical gin base to its floral and fruity modifiers. Its stunning, sky-like appearance is matched by a crisp, tart, and complex taste profile that has captivated discerning drinkers for over a century. A true classic, it represents the artistry of early 20th-century mixology and is a must-try for any gin enthusiast. Its revival, thanks to the return of crème de violette, has restored it to its original, beautiful glory.

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