Aviation Cocktail Recipe: Classic Gin Drink

The Aviation cocktail is one of the most visually stunning drinks in the classic cocktail canon. With its ethereal purple-blue hue and perfectly balanced blend of botanical gin, tart lemon, sweet maraschino liqueur, and floral crème de violette, the Aviation represents the golden age of pre-Prohibition mixology at its finest. This elegant cocktail disappeared for decades before making a triumphant return to craft cocktail menus worldwide.

Whether you're a seasoned home bartender or just beginning your cocktail journey, mastering the Aviation cocktail recipe will add a touch of vintage sophistication to your repertoire. Let's explore everything you need to know to create this iconic drink.

Classic Aviation Cocktail Recipe

The traditional Aviation cocktail recipe creates a beautifully balanced drink that showcases the harmony between floral, citrus, and botanical flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 oz London Dry Gin
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/2 oz Maraschino Liqueur
• 1/4 oz Crème de Violette
• Luxardo Maraschino Cherry (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
2. Add gin, fresh lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette
3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until well-chilled
4. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
5. Garnish with a Luxardo maraschino cherry

The result is a drink with a stunning sky-blue color and a complex flavor profile that balances tart, sweet, and floral notes in perfect harmony.

The Crème de Violette Story

Crème de violette is the ingredient that gives the Aviation its distinctive color and ethereal character. This violet-flavored liqueur adds delicate floral notes and that signature purple-blue hue that makes the Aviation instantly recognizable.

For decades, crème de violette was nearly impossible to find in the United States. After Prohibition, many specialty liqueurs disappeared from American shelves, and crème de violette became one of the casualties. Bartenders attempting to recreate classic recipes had to either omit it entirely or seek out European imports.

The modern craft cocktail renaissance changed everything. In 2007, Rothman & Winter reintroduced their crème de violette to the American market, making it possible for bartenders and home enthusiasts to create authentic Aviation cocktails once again. Today, several brands produce quality crème de violette, including The Bitter Truth and Tempus Fugit.

When using crème de violette, remember that a little goes a long way. The standard 1/4 oz measurement provides the perfect balance of color and flavor without overwhelming the drink's other components. Too much violette can make your Aviation taste overly perfumed and soapy.

Maraschino Liqueur: The Sweet Secret

Maraschino liqueur is another essential component that sets the Aviation apart from simpler gin sours. Made from Marasca cherries, including the pits, stems, and skins, this clear liqueur brings a subtle sweetness and complex cherry-almond flavor to the cocktail.

Luxardo is the gold standard for maraschino liqueur and has been producing it since 1821. Their maraschino liqueur is made in Padua, Italy, using traditional methods that have remained largely unchanged for two centuries. The entire cherry, including the crushed pits, is fermented and distilled, creating a unique flavor profile that's essential to the Aviation.

Don't confuse maraschino liqueur with the bright red maraschino cherry syrup. They're completely different products. The liqueur is clear, dry, and sophisticated, while the syrup is sweet and artificial-tasting. Using the wrong ingredient will completely alter your Aviation.

Choosing the Right Gin

The gin you choose for your Aviation cocktail recipe makes a significant difference in the final result. London Dry gins work best because their juniper-forward profile provides a solid backbone that supports the delicate floral and citrus notes. Learn more about classic gin cocktails in our comprehensive gin cocktails guide.

Excellent gin choices for an Aviation include:

• Tanqueray: Classic London Dry with strong juniper notes
• Beefeater: Well-balanced and affordable
• Plymouth: Slightly softer with earthy botanicals
• Aviation Gin: Ironically named, though it works well in its namesake cocktail

While modern craft gins can work, avoid heavily botanical or floral gins that might compete with the crème de violette. The gin should complement, not overpower, the other ingredients.

The History of the Aviation Cocktail

The Aviation cocktail first appeared in Hugo Ensslin's 1916 book "Recipes for Mixed Drinks." Ensslin was the head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City, and his book documented many of the era's most popular cocktails.

The original Aviation recipe included all four main ingredients: gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette. However, when Harry Craddock published his influential "Savoy Cocktail Book" in 1930, his Aviation recipe omitted the crème de violette entirely. This omission may have been due to the ingredient's unavailability in post-Prohibition America.

For decades, many bartenders created "Aviations" without crème de violette, essentially making a gin sour with maraschino. While still delicious, these drinks lacked the signature color and floral character that made the original Aviation special. Explore related cocktails like the Last Word in our gin cocktails guide to discover other gin-based classics.

The Aviation experienced near extinction during the mid-20th century before being rediscovered by craft cocktail enthusiasts in the early 2000s. Today, it's a staple on cocktail menus at quality bars worldwide and a favorite among home bartenders who appreciate classic recipes.

Achieving the Perfect Shade of Sky Blue

The Aviation's color is part of its allure. The name itself refers to the drink's resemblance to the pale blue sky seen from an airplane. Getting the color just right requires attention to the crème de violette measurement.

The standard 1/4 oz of crème de violette creates a pale, ethereal blue reminiscent of a twilight sky. If you prefer a deeper purple hue, you can increase the violette to 1/3 oz, but be cautious not to go much higher or the floral notes will dominate.

Different brands of crème de violette also produce slightly different shades. Rothman & Winter creates a paler, more blue-toned drink, while The Bitter Truth tends toward a deeper purple. Experiment with different brands to find your preferred shade.

The type of glass you use also affects how the color appears. A traditional coupe glass shows off the Aviation's hue beautifully, while a Nick and Nora glass provides a more elegant presentation. Avoid using rocks glasses or tumblers, as they don't showcase the drink's visual appeal.

Technique: Mastering the Shake

Proper technique is crucial for creating a perfect Aviation cocktail. This drink should be shaken, never stirred, because the lemon juice requires vigorous agitation to properly integrate with the other ingredients.

Shaking Tips

1. Use plenty of ice: Fill your shaker at least two-thirds full with ice
2. Shake hard: 15-20 seconds of vigorous shaking ensures proper dilution and temperature
3. Double strain: Use both the Hawthorne strainer on your shaker and a fine-mesh strainer to catch ice chips and pulp
4. Pre-chill your glass: A cold coupe keeps your Aviation at the perfect temperature

The double straining step is particularly important for the Aviation. This drink should have a silky-smooth texture without any ice shards or lemon pulp floating on the surface.

Garnish

The traditional garnish for an Aviation is a single Luxardo maraschino cherry. These premium cherries are dramatically different from the bright red supermarket variety. Luxardo cherries are dark, complex, and made with the same maraschino liqueur used in the cocktail.

Some bartenders prefer no garnish at all, allowing the drink's beautiful color to speak for itself. A lemon twist works as an alternative, adding a citrus aroma without detracting from the visual presentation.

Variations on the Aviation Cocktail Recipe

While the classic Aviation is perfect as written, several variations have emerged over the years.

Aviation Without Violette

Before crème de violette's return to the market, bartenders created Aviations using only gin, lemon juice, and maraschino liqueur. This version lacks the signature color but remains delicious, essentially functioning as a sophisticated gin sour with maraschino's subtle sweetness.

Last Word Variation

Replace the gin with equal parts gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice (instead of lemon) to create a Last Word cocktail. This variation swaps violet notes for herbal complexity. Discover more about this classic in our detailed Last Word cocktail guide.

Japanese Aviation

Some modern bartenders have experimented with using Japanese gin (like Roku or Ki No Bi) and yuzu juice instead of lemon, creating an Asian-inspired variation that maintains the Aviation's elegant character while adding citrus complexity.

Pink Aviation

Substitute crème de violette with crème de rose for a pink-hued variation that offers rose floral notes instead of violet. The technique remains identical, but the flavor profile shifts toward more pronounced floral character.

Conclusion

The Aviation cocktail recipe represents classic mixology at its finest. This elegant, purple-hued drink combines botanical gin, tart lemon juice, sweet maraschino liqueur, and floral crème de violette into a perfectly balanced cocktail that's both visually stunning and delicious.

Whether you're recreating prohibition-era classics or exploring modern craft cocktails, the Aviation deserves a place in your repertoire. With quality ingredients, proper technique, and attention to balance, you can create this sophisticated drink at home and experience a taste of cocktail history.

The next time you're looking to impress guests or simply want to enjoy a beautifully crafted cocktail, mix up an Aviation. Its ethereal color, complex flavors, and fascinating history make it a drink worth savoring.