Aviation
ClassicIBA OfficialGin, maraschino, and a violet sky.
Floral, tart, and elegant. Juniper-forward gin meets the cherry-almond note of maraschino and the perfumed violet of crème de violette, with fresh lemon pulling it all taut. Delicate and aromatic, with a color to match — a drink as pretty as it is bracing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- 0.5 oz Maraschino Liqueur
- 0.25 oz Crème de Violette
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- Maraschino cherry · optional garnish
Method
- 1
Add the gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.
- 2
Shake until well-chilled.
- 3
Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
- 4
Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
The Story
The Aviation was first written down by Hugo Ensslin, head bartender at New York's Hotel Wallick, in his 1916 book — one of the last great cocktails of the pre-Prohibition era. Its defining touch is crème de violette, a floral violet liqueur that gives the drink a pale sky-blue hue and its name. The liqueur vanished for decades, taking the true Aviation with it, until it returned to shelves and the cocktail flew again.
Recipe card
The whole recipe in one shareable image.
