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Aviation Cocktail

by Ned
Aviation cocktail

The Aviation cocktail – my favourite! So named for its pale lavender hue, which is said to resemble the colour of the sky. The Aviation cocktail is a classic and delicious gin cocktail. Fruity liquors, citrus and gin are shaken together to make the perfect party cocktail recipe. You will love it!

This cocktail is a riff on a gin sour with the addition of Maraschino instead of simple syrup as a sweetener. It’s a floral, dry, delicate cocktail that all gin drinkers will like. Good for springtime and dreaming of flying off on your holidays.

It is so called because of the pale blue hue given to the drink by the Creme de Violette, celebrating the glamorous hayday of air travel. 

The History

According to liquor.com, the Aviation is a classic gin cocktail dating back to the turn of the 20th century, and it first appeared in Huge Enslinn’s book “Recipes for Mixed Drinks” in 1916 while he was tending bar at New York City’s Hotel Wallick. 


Aviation cocktail recipe

The Ingredients

Gin – I used Sipsmith® London Dry Gin which is one of my favourite gin brands. Choosing the right gin brand is very important when making the perfect Aviation cocktail. 

Crème de violette liqueur – a springtime floral touch of velvety and fruity violet flavour!

Maraschino liqueur – the classic cherry liqueur made through infusion, distillation and then aging. Each bottle takes 4 years to make.

Maraschino cherries – are preserved, sweetened cherries, typically made from light-coloured sweet cherries such as the Royal Ann, Rainier, or Gold varieties. The name maraschino originates from the Marasca cherry of Croatian origin and the maraschino liqueur made from it, in which Marasca cherries were crushed and preserved after being pickled.

Must try cocktail: Dirty Martini

The Recipe

Toss all ingredients except the maraschino cherries in a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice cubes and shake well until chilled.

Then strain into chilled cocktail glasses. I used classic coupe cocktail glasses. Garnish each cocktail with a Maraschino cherry and a ¼ slice of lemon. Cheers! 

“Cocktails are society’s most enduring invention.”

Elsa Maxwell

Aviation cocktail
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5 from 3 votes

Aviation Cocktail

The Aviation cocktail – my favourite! So named for its pale lavender hue, which is said to resemble the colour of the sky, the Aviation cocktail is a classic and delicious gin cocktail. Fruity liquors, citrus and gin are shaken together to make the perfect party cocktail recipe.
Prep Time3 mins
Total Time3 mins
Course: Drinks
Keyword: Cocktails, Gin
Servings: 2 cocktails
Calories: 190kcal

Equipment

  • Shaker

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Toss all ingredients except the maraschino cherries in a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice cubes and shake well until chilled.
  • Then strain into chilled cocktail glasses. I used classic coupe cocktail glasses. Garnish each cocktail with a Maraschino cherry and a ¼ slice of lemon.
  • Cheers!

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal
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