CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1890–1919
Aviation
Gin, maraschino, lemon and violet: a pale blue pre-war beauty.
1916Historical classicResearched
The Aviation was created by Hugo Ensslin at New York’s Hotel Wallick and printed in his 1916 Recipes for Mixed Drinks. Gin, maraschino and lemon are the core; crème de violette gives the drink its famous pale-blue tint and floral scent. The liqueur became scarce after Prohibition, and many mid-century recipes omitted it entirely.
- Crème de violette returned to the market in the 2000s, reviving the original recipe.
- Aviation without violette
- Blue Moon
THE RECIPE
Ingredients
- Gin45 ml
- Maraschino liqueur15 ml
- Lemon juice20 ml
- Crème de violette5 ml
- Cherryto garnish
Method
Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a coupe and garnish with a cherry.
Coupe · cherry