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Cocktail History
The Aviation is a classic cocktail that was created by Hugo Ensslin in the early 1900s while he was the head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City, New York. It’s most well-known for its color and a special ingredient that was impossible to find for close to half a century before it was just reintroduced back in 2007—crème de violette. The recipe pairs this floral liqueur with botanical gin, maraschino cherry liqueur, and tart lemon.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Gin: This is a type of gin made with juniper berries, botanicals, and alcohol. I used Citadelle Gin.
Maraschino Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with Maraschino cherries, honey, herbs, spices, sugar, and alcohol. I used Luxardo Maraschino Orginale Liqueur.
Lemon Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lemon. I used freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Crème De Violette: This is a liqueur made with violets, sugar, and alcohol. I used Rothman & Winter Crème De Violette Liqueur.
Cherry: This is a fruit that has been soaked in brandy and rich syrup. I used Luxardo Maraschino Cherries.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. I used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-01-15.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Deep purple color
• Aroma: Light florals
• Taste: Botanical gin flavor that leads into sweet cherry and violet
• Finish: Tart lemon and more herbal notes
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “This drink is wildly popular, especially among those with less developed palates, and for good reason. Even though the cherry and violet can be a little overpowering, the gin stands up well alongside them and makes for a unique mix of flavors that I really loved. The Aviation has since become one of my favorite gin drinks, a go-to at bars when I don’t see something else on their menu that catches my eye.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Art of Vintage Cocktails by Stephanie Rosenbaum.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-01-14.
Aviation
The Aviation is a classic cocktail that was created by Hugo Ensslin in the early 1900s while he was the head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City, New York. It’s most well-known for its color and a special ingredient that was impossible to find for close to half a century before it was just reintroduced back in 2007—crème de violette. The recipe pairs this floral liqueur with botanical gin, maraschino cherry liqueur, and tart lemon.
Ingredients
Method
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Add gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, crème de violette, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a cocktail glass.
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Garnish with cherry.
