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.