Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (2024)

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The aviation co*cktail is a classic vintage co*cktail that has been around since the early 1900s. It’s made with gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur and a touch of crème de violette for a unique flavor. The combination of these ingredients gives it a light and refreshing taste that makes it perfect for summer months or special occasions.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (1)

Classic co*cktails are my favorite co*cktails to drink. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with the classics. This co*cktail is interesting because even though it has gin in it, it isn’t the star of the co*cktail. The true star is the maraschino cherry liqueur. And, of course, the beautiful color and taste of the violette liqueur.

Flowery liqueurs like crème de Violette and (St. Germain) go well with gin. It’s because gin is made from juniper berries and other botanicals. So, these liqueurs are a natural addition to a co*cktail like the aviation.

Creme de violette has such a deep purple color that just making a co*cktail with the liqueur guarantees it will be pretty.

The history of the aviation co*cktail

Hugo Ensslin, from New York city, first published this beautiful co*cktail in the 1916 Recipes for Mixed drink. It was later republished in the 1930 Savoy co*cktail book, by Harry Craddock.

The aviation was named because of the beautiful purple blue color, which reminded people of the sky.

This co*cktail all but disappeared from people’s memories. The reason for this is that you couldn’t get Creme de Violette easily in the States. It wasn’t until 2007 that the Rothman & Winter liqueur was imported by Austria and bartenders started using the violet liqueur more frequently.

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Helpful
Tips
  • The way to pick a great lemon at the market is first to heft it in your hand. The heavier lemons have more juice than the lighter ones. The next thing is to sniff the skin, you should be able to smell the fruit. But I’ve noticed I can’t smell the lemon as easily as I could even a few years ago.
  • Always wash citrus before juicing it to get the pesticides off. Here are two different ways: 1.) Squirt some unscented, natural soap in your hand and rub the skin of the citrus between your palms. Next, take a brushto scrub the skin. Rinse under cold or cool water to get all the soap off.
  • 2.) I use a cloth that is rough on one side of it and smooth on the other. I use the rough side to scrub the skin of the vegetable or fruit and then rinse thoroughly under cold or cool water.
  • I use Bombay Sapphire gin in this co*cktail but you can use whichever brand you prefer.
  • The garnish for this classy co*cktail is maraschino cherries. Since these cherries come in a sweet syrup,always rinse off your cherries because if you don’t, it will add extra sweetness to the drink, which isn’t a good thing.
  • Crème of violette is made from violets which gives it such a beautiful hue. There are a few brands of this liqueur. I have the brand Rothman & Winter, but Dillard and Giffard are solid brands.
  • I usually chill my co*cktail glasses. My favorite glasses are a chilled coupe or chilled martini glass. I don’t chill them when I photograph my recipes because it takes time to process the shots, so it doesn’t make sense.
Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (2)

How to make the aviation co*cktail recipe

Pre-step

Fill a co*cktail shaker halfway with ice. Get a measuring glass and get two martini glasses.

For the garnish, rinse off 4 maraschino cherries,place two on eachmartini pick and set them aside.

After measuring each of the ingredients below, pour them into the shaker.

Step one

Gather the ingredients – gin, lemon, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (3)

Step two

Measure 4 ounces gin.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (4)

Step three

Measure 1.5 ounces Luxardo maraschino liqueur.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (5)

Step four

Measure .5 ounce of creme de violette.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (6)

Step five

Measure 1.5 ounces lemon juice.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (7)

Step six

Place the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain, divide, and pour the liquid between the two glasses.Place the picks with the cherries on the side of the glasses or in the aviation co*cktail recipe.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (8)

And the vertical view. Look at that color!

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (9)

I hope you enjoyed this aviation co*cktail recipe. Give it a try, I think you’ll enjoy it.

Other popular gin recipes

  • Frenchie
  • Lime rickey
  • Pomegranate gin co*cktail

Want to read more about gin? Read my guide here.

And may all your dishes/drinks be delish!

If you’ve tried thisrecipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK,TWITTER,INSTAGRAMandPINTERESTto see more of my delicious food and delightful co*cktails!

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (10)

Aviation co*cktail Recipe

Gin goes perfectly with the flowery creme de violette and melds wonderfully with the sweetness of the maraschino liqueur and the sour of the lemon.

5 from 5 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: co*cktails

Cuisine: American

Keyword: aviation co*cktail, aviation co*cktail recipe, creme de violette co*cktail, maraschino liqueur co*cktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 co*cktails

Calories: 233kcal

Author: Elaine Benoit

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces gin
  • 1.5 ounces maraschino liqueur
  • .50 ounce creme de violette
  • 1.5 ounces lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

Garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a co*cktail shaker halfway with ice and place 2 cherries on each martini pick,

    4 maraschino cherries

  • Add gin, maraschino liqueur, creme de violette and lemon juice to the co*cktail shaker.

    4 ounces gin, 1.5 ounces maraschino liqueur, .50 ounce creme de violette, 1.5 ounces lemon juice

  • Cap the co*cktail shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain, divide, and pour the liquid between the two glasses. Add cherry picks to the side of the glass.

  • Sip

  • Smile

  • Enjoy

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (15) See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

Notes

Helpful tips

    • The way to pick a great lemon at the market is first to heft it in your hand. The heavier lemons have more juice than the lighter ones. The next thing is to sniff the skin, you should be able to smell the fruit. But I’ve noticed I can’t smell the lemon as easily as I could even a few years ago.
    • Always wash citrus before juicing it to get the pesticides off. Here are two different ways: 1.) Squirt some unscented, natural soap in your hand and rub the skin of the citrus between your palms. Next, take a brushto scrub the skin. Rinse under cold or cool water to get all the soap off.
    • 2.) I use a cloth that is rough on one side of it and smooth on the other. I use the rough side to scrub the skin of the vegetable or fruit and then rinse thoroughly under cold or cool water.
    • I use Bombay Sapphire gin in this co*cktail but you can use whichever brand you prefer.
    • The garnish for this classy co*cktail is maraschino cherries. Since these cherries come in a sweet syrup,always rinse off your cherries because if you don’t, it will add extra sweetness to the drink, which isn’t a good thing.
    • Crème of violette is made from violets which gives it such a beautiful hue. There are a few brands of this liqueur. I have the brand Rothman & Winter, but Dillard and Giffard are solid brands.
    • I usually chill my co*cktail glasses. My favorite glasses are a chilled coupe or chilled martini glass. I don’t chill them when I photograph my recipes because it takes time to process the shots, so it doesn’t make sense.

Nutrition

Serving: 1co*cktail | Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin C: 8.3mg | Calcium: 5mg

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Elaine Benoit

Website| + posts

From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted co*cktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe | Dishes Delish (2024)

FAQs

Why isn't my Aviation co*cktail purple? ›

Obviously, our isn't purple. That's because this Aviation recipe dates back to 1930, before bartenders started adding crème de violette to the mix to give it that purple hue, as well as an air of elitism. You see, both crème de violette and maraschino liqueur weren't exactly easy to track down back in the day.

What is the best gin for an Aviation co*cktail? ›

What Gin works best in an Aviation? If you like the floral nature of the drink (and probably go a little heavy on the Violette as a result), try the likes of Cotswolds Gin with its huge lavender and grapefruit top notes, or Brooklyn Gin that combines similar floral tones with a medley of citrus.

What is the main liqueur in the aviation co*cktail? ›

The Aviation combines gin, maraschino liqueur and fresh lemon juice alongside that crème de violette, creating a unique, floral co*cktail. Gin provides a sturdy base, while maraschino liqueur lends its trademark bittersweet cherry notes and lemon adds necessary acidity.

What is the best cherry liqueur for Aviation? ›

The Luxardo maraschino is by far the easiest to find, and the one I use in all my co*cktails. You'll find it in the distinctive straw-wrapped green bottle. Other brands, like Maraska and Lazzarroni, are less common but equally nice (and slightly less expensive).

Do you shake or stir Aviation co*cktails? ›

We have recipes for the classic Daiquiri, the Strawberry Daiquiri, and the Hemingway Daiquiri. Aviation: With crème de violette and fresh lemon juice as staple ingredients, the Aviation co*cktail must be shaken in order to include the right amount of air bubbles necessary to give it its soft, cloudy appearance.

What is a substitute for Crème Yvette? ›

It appears Crème Yvette is currently only available in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba, and the only decent substitute is the equally rare creme de violette.

Does Ryan Reynolds still own Aviation? ›

Actor Ryan Reynolds acquired a stake in the brand from Davos in February 2018. On August 17, 2020, Aviation was sold to Diageo, whose liquor lineup includes the gin Tanqueray, as well as Smirnoff vodka, and Johnnie Walker Scotch whisky. Reynolds still maintains an "ongoing ownership interest" in Aviation.

Can you order an Aviation at a bar? ›

This sent the co*cktail even further into obscurity until a recent co*cktail renaissance and the rerelease of the floral liqueur. Today you will find the aviation on lists of classic co*cktails that should be experienced. Even so, don't expect to order it at every bar.

What tonic goes well with Aviation Gin? ›

50ml Aviation Gin. Add a cinnamon stick, orange wheel, orange peel, juniper berries & cardamon pods. Enchanted drinks gold shimmer. Top with tonic- fever tree is my fave.

What was the Frank Sinatra co*cktail? ›

Ingredients for the Sinatra 3-2-1

Frank always liked to keep it simple, and this is the easiest of co*cktail recipes. You just put 3 ice cubes in a rocks glass, pour in two 'fingers' of Jack and add a splash of water. There are many old fashioned bartending terms that are no longer commonly used.

What is Ryan Reynolds liquor? ›

The actor became a co-owner of Portland, Oregon-based Aviation American Gin just two years ago. In the age of influencers and endorsem*nts, sometimes a celebrity will slap their name onto an existing brand and you'll wonder just how lucrative the deal could be.

Why is my Aviation co*cktail blue? ›

The Aviation co*cktail is a classic gin co*cktail and is quite possibly the most successful variation on the Gin Sour. The Aviation gets its name from the light blue colour of the co*cktail that is created by adding a bar spoon of Crème de Violette.

Why is it called Aviation co*cktail? ›

So named due to the crème de violette giving the co*cktail a pale sky-blue colour, the Aviation dates from the early age of aeronautics when air travel was a glamorous luxury that only the rich could afford. Choosing the right brand of crème de violette is crucial to the look and taste of this co*cktail.

What liqueur tastes like maraschino cherries? ›

If you're looking for a substitute for maraschino, Cherry Heering and kirsch are your best options. Kirsch is a clear cherry brandy that has a similar bitterness to maraschino because it also includes the pits in production.

What makes a drink turn purple? ›

As the lemony cubes melt, they will interact with the butterfly pea flower extract and slowly alter the color as they infuse the drink with flavor. This Is How to Turn Your co*cktails Purple.

How do you make purple haze? ›

Purple Haze Martini: Shake 1 1/2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce blue curaçao, and 1/2 ounce grenadine in a co*cktail shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled co*cktail glass and garnish with a lime twist.

What turns vodka purple? ›

It comes from the infusion of butterfly pea flowers post-distillation. The flowers have a delicate pH that reacts to acidity by transforming into a royal purple and then a delicate pink.

How do you change the color of a co*cktail? ›

Infuse a Spirit: Clear spirits (gin, tequila, rum) are ideal for infusion. Use 5 tablespoons of dried flowers for a 750 milliliter bottle. Infuse for 10 to 30 minutes. Infuse Ice: keeping a tray of butterfly pea cubes in the freezer is a simple way to change any co*cktail color.

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