The Aviation is a pre-Prohibition gin classic first recorded in Hugo Ensslin’s 1916 cocktail book and revived by modern bartenders for its elegant interplay of floral and cherry notes. What makes a great Aviation is balance: a sturdy London dry gin backbone, the nuttiness and kernel fruit of maraschino, a whisper of crème de violette for perfume, and bright fresh lemon to keep it lively. Bartenders in Buffalo and beyond prize careful dosing of the violet liqueur and fresh citrus; a practical tip is to start light with violette and adjust to taste rather than overpowering the gin.
Ingredients
| 2 oz | London dry gin |
| ½ oz | Maraschino liqueur (Luxardo) |
| ¼ oz | Crème de violette |
| ¾ oz | Fresh lemon juice |
| 1 tsp | Brandied cherry (garnish) |
Instructions
- Chill a coupe glass and set aside.
- Add gin, maraschino, crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice into a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously until the shaker is well chilled, about 10–12 seconds.
- Fine-strain into the chilled coupe to remove ice shards.
- Garnish with a brandied cherry and serve immediately.
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Gin for Aviations
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