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Aviation Cocktail Recipe

From: Field Guide to Cocktails , by
Aviation Cocktail
Makes: 1 drink

The Aviation Cocktail is a gin-based cocktail whose special appeal comes from the addition of maraschino liqueur. Previously headed for the endangered species list, the Aviation Cocktail seems to be having a revival thanks to the Internet. The Aviation was once regarded as the prince of cocktails, but the scarcity of maraschino liqueur nearly sent the drink into tippler’s oblivion. The name of this feisty Depression-era cocktail is supposedly linked to air travel of the time—a risky venture not for the faint of heart.

Only the most traditional or serious bars still make the Aviation. This is one drink that home-bartending aficionados are dabbling in.

Shake the Aviation hard enough that tiny flecks of ice float in the drink as soon as it is poured. Stay clear of the gooey syrup in maraschino cherry jars. It’s no substitute for the liqueur.

This recipe was featured as part of both our New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Party and our Best Picture Cocktails story.

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 1/2 ounces gin
  • 3/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
  • 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • Maraschino cherry (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Shake the gin, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice well with ice; then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, if desired.

This recipe, while from a trusted source, may not have been tested by the CHOW food team.
Copyright Quirk Books

    Write a review | 5 Reviews
  • Aviation Cocktail Recipe
    4

    Definite need to update this recipe. Creme de Violette was unavailable for a while, but now there are a couple of different sources. I use the Rothman and Winter. This one should be linked to the Blue Moon cocktail, which is the much the same without the Maraschino. I've also started reducing the total alcohol in cocktails. No more than 2.5 oz, from all sources combined, regardless of the proof level, so when adding the Violette would reduce the gin. I want the cocktail to relax the drinker, not impair them.

  • I agree the Violette adds another dimension to the cocktail..but the balance needs to be there. I find this to be satisfactory: 1 1/2 oz gin, 1/2 oz lemon, 1/2 oz Violette, and 1 teaspoon maraschino.

  • An Aviation cocktail without Creme de Violet is totally wrong in my book. It's what gives it the blue sky coloring for which it's named.

  • This is our house favorite cocktail. My husband, who was never a fan of wine, enjoys many vintage cocktails, but this is the one he requests. After many grueling experiments, my own proportion preference is 2 oz gin (Plymouth), 1/2 oz maraschino, 1/2 oz lemon... and we ALWAYS use the cherry-- quite a different product from this recipe. I've seem wildly varying versions-- one was something like 2 oz gin, 1 oz lemon juice, 2 dashes maraschino! Personally, I love the maraschino flavor, so want plenty of it, but I feel the above version might overpower the gin. Still, I may give it a try in the interests of (cocktail) science.

    And for Minneapolis-St. Paul area folks looking to buy maraschino, I believe we have exactly one source: Surdyk's.

  • You want to look for either Luxardo or Maraska maraschino liquors. Stock makes a variation, but I much prefer the Luxardo to Maraska.

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