Aviation Cocktail Recipe

One of my all time favorite classic cocktails from the early 1900’s. Gin, maraschino liqueur (cherry), crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice.

Aviation Cocktail Recipe

The Aviation cocktail will give you wings. Seriously. I stalked this cocktail for months before trying it at a local speakeasy. It’s got a slight violet hue and it’s nothing short of amazing. Half of the ingredients are very ordinary, the other half are…say that again?

Cocktail History

The Aviation is a Prohibition-era martini, consisting of gin, maraschino liqueur (cherry liqueur), crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice.

The cocktail is said to have been created by Hugo Ensslin, who at the time was head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City. The cocktail was first published in Ensslin’s 1916 Recipes for Mixed Drinks, cocktail book. The ingredients have remained the same with only slight variations in the parts.

Aviation Ingredients

The Aviation is smooth, flowery, assertive, yet sweet. Like nothing you’ve ever tasted—so I honestly don’t know what to compare it to. The key ingredient is Luxardo, maraschino liqueur. It adds a very subtle boozy, cherry finish. It’s worth picking up because it appears in so many other classic craft cocktails. If you don’t believe me, you can read a few others here.

How to Make an Aviation

Combine all parts in a cocktail shaker with a large cup of ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled coupe glass with a brandied cherry.

Give the Aviation a shot and see if you sink or soar. It’s one of those cocktails, Patty and I can both agree on. This one is right down the middle and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

You’ll Also Love

Aviation Cocktail Recipe
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Aviation Cocktail Recipe

  • Author: Shawn Williams
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Yield: 1 1x
  • Category: Cocktail
  • Cuisine: American

Description

The Aviation is of my all time favorite classic cocktails from the early 1900’s. Gin, maraschino liqueur (cherry), crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 ounces gin
  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 3/4 ounces maraschino liqueur (Luxardo)
  • 1/4 ounce crème de violette
  • Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients (except the cherry) in a cocktail shaker with a cup of ice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 160
  • Sugar: 12.3g
  • Sodium: 4mg
  • Fat: 0.1g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.1g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.4g
  • Fiber: 0.1g
  • Protein: 0.1g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: aviation cocktail