AviationCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
The Aviation is a pre-Prohibition gin sour that feels both crisp and romantic, famous for its pale, sky-tinged hue. You’ll find it linked to early 20th-century American bartending, when floral liqueurs and bright citrus were in vogue, and it later slips into obscurity as crème de violette becomes harder to find. Its modern revival rides on renewed interest in vintage gin cocktails and the return of violet liqueur to back bars, bringing this elegant classic back into the spotlight.
Expect gin’s botanicals to lead, sharpened by fresh lemon juice for a clean, bracing snap. Maraschino cherry liqueur adds a distinctive sweet-tart depth that reads as both fruity and lightly nutty, rounding the edges without turning the drink sugary. Crème de violette layers in a perfumed floral note that softens the citrus and lifts the aroma, giving the whole drink a delicate, lingering finish.
Served in a cocktail glass, this is one for when you want something refined and aromatic rather than loud or heavy. You’ll enjoy it as an aperitif, at a dinner party, or any time a classic gin drink sounds right but you’re in the mood for a more fragrant, slightly whimsical twist.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Gin leads with bright juniper and botanicals, sharpened by lemon juice, while maraschino cherry liqueur adds a sweet almond-cherry note and crème de violette brings a soft, perfumed floral finish. The tart lemon keeps the liqueurs from turning cloying, and the floral-cherry pairing rounds the gin’s edge; it’s ideal for drinkers who like crisp sours with a distinctly aromatic, slightly sweet lift.
Method
How to make a Aviation
- Gin 45ml, Maraschino cherry liqueur 15ml, Creme de violette 10ml, Lemon juice 15ml
-
- Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well
-
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
-
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Aviation with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor and avoid pre-packaged juices, which can be overly acidic and lack freshness.
- To achieve the perfect balance, adjust the quantity of Creme De Violette according to taste. Start with a small amount and add more if needed, as it can be quite potent.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the history behind the Aviation cocktail?
The Aviation cocktail is a classic cocktail dating back to the early 20th century, first appearing in Hugo Ensslin's 1916 recipe book 'Recipes for Mixed Drinks'. It's believed to be named for the sky-blue color given by the Crème de Violette, reminiscent of the early days of aviation.
How does the Crème de Violette affect the taste of the Aviation cocktail?
Crème de Violette is a violet-flavored liqueur that adds a subtle floral sweetness to the Aviation cocktail. Its unique flavor is crucial to the drink's distinctive taste and appearance, offering depth and a hint of perfume without overwhelming the other ingredients.
Can I make an Aviation cocktail without Crème de Violette?
While Crème de Violette is key to the classic Aviation recipe for both color and taste, some variations omit it, leaning more on the maraschino liqueur for sweetness. However, this will result in a different flavor profile and the cocktail will lack its characteristic lavender hue.
What type of gin is best for making an Aviation cocktail?
A dry gin, preferably one with floral or citrus botanicals, is ideal for an Aviation cocktail. These gins complement the floral notes of the Crème de Violette and the tartness of the lemon juice, creating a balanced and aromatic drink.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Aviation cocktail?
Yes, a non-alcoholic version of the Aviation can be made using non-alcoholic gin and maraschino cherry syrup in place of the liqueur. While there's no direct substitute for Crème de Violette, a combination of non-alcoholic lavender or violet syrup with a touch of food coloring can recreate the look and some of the flavor. Keep in mind, the taste will differ from the alcoholic version.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Taste this vibrant mix of gin, absinthe, and orange.
Monkey Gland
Absinthe, Gin, Orange juice, Grenadine
Try this Prohibition era delight with honey and gin.
Bee's Knees
Gin, Lemon juice, Honey syrup
Discover this gin and grapefruit refreshment with a twist
Salty Dog
Gin, Grapefruit juice, Salt
Try this frothy mix of gin and citrus
White Lady
Gin, Triple sec, Lemon juice
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments