Aviation Cocktail Recipe

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

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Ever hear of the Aviation Cocktail? 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 Cocktail 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 cocktail 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 cocktails, 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)

Utensils Needed

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

INSTRUCTIONS

Add

Fill a cocktail 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 cocktail 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 cocktail pick.

Tips and Tricks

Quality Ingredients: With any good cocktail, 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 Cocktail that zingy zing. Bottled lemon juice? Definitely a no-go.

Measure Carefully: The flavor balance in the Aviation Cocktail 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 cocktail.

Experiment with Garnishes: Classic Aviation Cocktail 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 Cocktail?

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

How should I drink the Aviation Cocktail?

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 Cocktail?

While it’s widely known as the Aviation Cocktail, 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 Cocktail.

Can I make an Aviation Cocktail without crème de violette?

Crème de violette is the star ingredient in an Aviation Cocktail, 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 Cocktail?

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.

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 Cocktail 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 Cocktail 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 cocktails 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!