Aviation co*cktail Recipe (2024)

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Discover the charm of the classic Aviation co*cktail, a sophisticated and refreshing blend of gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and crème de violette.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe (1)

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Ever hear of the Aviation co*cktail? It is a total classic from the early days of the 20th century, a perfect mix gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and crème de violette. What is I love the most about this drink: it is totally photogenic with its unique violet hue and a flavor that’s simply out of this world.

Just like our beloved gin pals (looking at you, Tom Collins, Negroni, and Gimlet), the Aviation co*cktail knows how to mix things up and keep it enticing. With a heart of gin, it pops with bright, exciting flavors. You will get delicate floral vibes, thanks to the fruity and slightly sweet maraschino liqueur, the ‘squeeze-me-now’ freshness of lemon juice and a dash of crème de violette.

If gin and lemon juice is your thing, you can also add a Bees Knees co*cktail to your “to do” list. It’s incredibly easy to make: just add simple syrup to the gin and lemon juice and the drink is done!

In the world of co*cktails, the Aviation is the cool aunt who’s traveled the world and has unbelievable stories to tell. Tradition merges with a bit of fun and a touch of the mysterious.

INGREDIENTS

Maraschino is sweet — too sweet for some — so don’t go overboard. Perhaps serve one to your guests and then adjust based on their feedback.

  • 2 oz. gin
  • 1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur
  • 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 oz. crème de violette
  • maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Aviation co*cktail Recipe (2)

Utensils Needed

  • A co*cktail shaker – to mix the ingredients and chill the co*cktail
  • A jigger – to measure the gin, maraschino liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and crème de violette
  • A strainer – to strain the mixed co*cktail into a glass
  • A citrus juicer – to get that freshly squeezed juice
  • A coupe or martini glass – to serve the co*cktail
  • A co*cktail pick (optional) – to skewer the maraschino cherry for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Add

Fill a co*cktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the gin, maraschino liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and crème de violette to the shaker.

Shake

Shake the mixture vigorously for 15-20 seconds — you need to make sure the ingredients are mixed and chilled!

Strain

Strain the co*cktail into a chilled coupe or martini glass to get rid of all that ice.

Garnish

Garnish your Aviation with a maraschino cherry by placing it either in the drink or skewering it with a co*cktail pick.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe (3)

Tips and Tricks

Quality Ingredients:With any good co*cktail, the magic is in the mix. So, invest in a really nice gin, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette.

Chilled Glassware:Popping your coupe or martini glass in the freezer before you kick things off makes all the difference.

Fresh Lemon Juice: Only fresh lemon juice can give your Aviation co*cktail that zingy zing. Bottled lemon juice? Definitely a no-go.

Measure Carefully:The flavor balance in the Aviation co*cktail is unique so an off measure can be a real party pooper.

Use a Fine-Mesh Strainer:This isn’t 100% required, but it helps deliver a silken sipping experience. A fine mesh strainer catches any icy shards and fruit pulp after shaking your co*cktail.

Experiment with Garnishes:Classic Aviation co*cktail style calls for a maraschino cherry on top, but you can jazz things up! How about skewering that cherry with fresh lavender or a curl of lemon peel?

FAQs

How many calories are in an Aviation co*cktail?

Well, that depends. Your choice of brands and garnish can tweak the numbers a bit, but on average, a classic Aviation co*cktail rings in at 170-200 calories.

How should I drink the Aviation co*cktail?

I recommend seeping it slowly. As it’s usually served in a martini or coupe glass (minus ice), you get to experience the fresh zing of lemon, the rich botanical gin, and the floral hints from the crème de violette in all their glory.

What are some alternative names for the Aviation co*cktail?

While it’s widely known as the Aviation co*cktail, a few folks out there call it the “Aviation Martini” or “Sky Pilot.” But those names are hardly used; everyone these days knows it best as the Aviation co*cktail.

Can I make an Aviation co*cktail without crème de violette?

Crème de violette is the star ingredient in an Aviation co*cktail, giving it that gorgeous violet color and soft floral flavor. But don’t worry if you can’t find it. You can skip it or swap it out. Your drink will still taste great with gin, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice, but it will miss that signature Aviation touch. When you leave out the crème de violette, it’s often called a Blue Moon.

What type of gin is best for an Aviation co*cktail?

One with a strong botanical vibe is the way to go. Many declare London Dry Gin as their top pick – it lays a great foundation for the other flavors. But remember, there’s no harm in experimenting to find your gin soulmate.

Aviation co*cktail Recipe (4)

Variations

Low-Carb Aviation: Try swapping out the maraschino liqueur for a sugar-free version or even a cherry extract. Add some stevia or erythritol to taste, and you’ve got a low-carb, low-sugar drink that’s as delicious as the original.

Aviation Royale: Give your Aviation co*cktail the star treatment with a splash of champagne or prosecco on top.

Elderflower Aviation: Use elderflower liqueur, like St-Germain, instead of crème de violette. You will love the color!

Rose Aviation: Give your Aviation co*cktail a romantic spin by replacing the crème de violette with rose liqueur or a few drops of rose water. This is my favorite.

Spiced Aviation: Try infusing your gin with some bold spices like cardamom, star anise, or cinnamon.

How to make aviation co*cktails ahead of time

Mix all your ingredients and store in the fridge. When it’s showtime, shake it up with ice, strain into chilled glasses, et voila!

To store, pour what’s left into a sealed container and refrigerate (max a day). The lemon juice might lose its zing over time. To serve, make sure to shake-and-strain again and don’t forget to garnish!

Aviation co*cktail Recipe (5)

Recipe

Aviation co*cktail Recipe

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Serves: 1

Aviation co*cktail Recipe (6)

Prep: 3 minutes minutes

Total: 3 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. gin
  • 1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur
  • 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 oz. crème de violette
  • 1 maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions

  • Fill a co*cktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the gin, maraschino liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and crème de violette to the shaker.

    Aviation co*cktail Recipe (7)

  • Shake the mixture vigorously for 15-20 seconds to mix the ingredients and chill the co*cktail.

    Aviation co*cktail Recipe (8)

  • Strain the co*cktail into a chilled coupe or martini glass to get rid of the ice.

    Aviation co*cktail Recipe (9)

  • Garnish your Aviation with a maraschino cherry by placing it either in the drink or skewering it with a co*cktail pick.

Nutrition Info:

Calories: 197kcal (10%) Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) Protein: 0.1g Fat: 0.1g Saturated Fat: 0.01g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g Sodium: 1mg Potassium: 16mg Fiber: 0.04g Sugar: 8g (9%) Vitamin A: 1IU Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) Calcium: 1mg Iron: 0.03mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.

Author: FoodFaithFitness

Share your creationsTag @foodfaithfit and hashtag it #foodfaithfitness so I can see what you made!

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Aviation co*cktail Recipe (10)
Aviation co*cktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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 maraschino liqueur for Aviation co*cktails? ›

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).

What is a substitute for Aviation co*cktails? ›

Are you looking to make an entirely non-alcoholic version of the Aviation co*cktail? You can create a refreshing and flavorful non-alcoholic gin Aviation co*cktail by replacing Maraschino Liqueur with Maraschino cherry juice and Creme de Violette with lavender simple syrup.

What are the ingredients in aviation gin? ›

It all starts with our precise blend of botanicals – cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two kinds of orange peel. The botanicals are suspended in a neutral grain spirit for 18 hours in macerating tanks.

What is the difference between Aviation and blue moon? ›

The aviation can be considered a variation on the Gin sour, using maraschino as its sweetener. The Blue Moon co*cktail is made with gin, lemon juice, and crème de violette or Creme Yvette, without maraschino.

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.

Is Cherry Heering the same as maraschino liqueur? ›

Compared to something like maraschino, Cherry Heering is more intense and sweet, as well as ruby red in hue compared to maraschino's clear appearance.

What co*cktails are similar to Aviation? ›

Violet Tide co*cktail - a floral gin co*cktail similar to an Aviation — Inherited Salt.

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.

Do you shake or stir an Aviation co*cktail? ›

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.

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.

What is a flight co*cktail? ›

Having a flight—a few smaller pours, usually around two ounces, of various drinks—can help introduce clientele to new spirits, different flavors and fun experiences. You can use it as a tool to help educate guests, like Amanda Swanson, the bar manager of Fine & Rare in New York.

Does Ryan Reynolds still own Aviation Gin? ›

Reynolds sold his gin company, Aviation Gin, for $610 million to European alcohol company, Diageo in 2020.

Can you drink Aviation Gin straight? ›

So, is drinking gin straight a good idea in the 21st century? The answer is yes – gin is a great sipping spirit!

What tonic goes with Aviation Gin? ›

Recipe:
  • 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.
Dec 29, 2020

What liqueur is Aperol? ›

Aperol is an Italian bitter apéritif made of gentian, rhubarb, and cinchona, among other ingredients. It has a vibrant orange hue. Its name comes from apero, a French slang word for apéritif.

What spirit is in Aperol? ›

Aperol is made much like Campari, but unlike its deep red counterpart, the ingredients for this orange-hued liqueur are slightly better-known. Aperol's key ingredients include bitter rhubarb, vegetal gentian root, and cinchona, a tree bark which gives tonic water its characteristic bitterness.

What is the aviation co*cktail from the 20s? ›

Invented in 1916 by Hugo Ensslin, a German bartender working in New York, the Aviation combines gin, lemon juice, Maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette. Of those, the final ingredient — which gives this co*cktail its signature sky-blue hue — proves most polarizing.

What is cynar alcohol? ›

Cynar (pronounced [tʃiˈnar]) is an Italian bitter apéritif of the amaro variety. It is made from 13 herbs and plants, predominant among which is the artichoke (Cynara scolymus), from which the drink derives its name. Cynar is dark brown, has a bittersweet flavor, and its strength is 16.5% ABV.

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