This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase a product I recommend.
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
- Gin
- Maraschino liqueur (cherry liqueur)
- Crème de Violette
- Fresh lemon juice
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
- 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
- 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
- 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
Just made this, but used a Luxardo cherry because I have them! This was fabulous.
★★★★★
I’m rating 5 stars even though you HAVE TO USE the Amarena Fabbri cherries. The best.
★★★★★
Tried this for the 1st time last year I’m in Nashville Tennessee and I have purchased all the ingredients in a tin to make myself one today I like Gen. But not in my dirty martinis there I use the hammer and sickle vodka it is the best vodka on the market . Gray goose and Ciroc cannot compare to it