Aviation

Aviation

Alessandro Scire Calabrisotto

Aviation Cocktail: A Timeless Classic with a Sky-High Legacy

The Aviation Cocktail is one of the most iconic and visually stunning drinks in the cocktail world. Known for its delicate floral notes and pale lavender hue, this gin-based classic stands out not only for its flavor but also for its historical significance. Named after the golden age of aviation, it evokes images of a glamorous past when flying was a rarefied activity enjoyed by the elite. With its unique combination of gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice, the Aviation offers a sophisticated, refreshing experience that has earned its place among the cocktail canon.

History of the Aviation Cocktail

The Aviation Cocktail’s origins trace back to the early 20th century, a time when aviation was becoming a symbol of progress and excitement. It was created in 1916 by Hugo Ensslin, a bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City. According to Ensslin’s 1917 recipe book, Recipes for Mixed Drinks, the Aviation was meant to reflect the adventurous spirit of the era. The cocktail’s name itself was inspired by the burgeoning field of aviation, with flights across the Atlantic and the invention of new aircraft technologies capturing the imagination of the public.

At the time, gin was the spirit of choice for many cocktails, and it was the perfect base for Ensslin’s creation. The addition of maraschino liqueur and crème de violette gave the Aviation its distinctive taste and color, making it stand out from other drinks of the period.

Despite its early success, the Aviation Cocktail fell out of favor for several decades, particularly as the popularity of sweet and sugary cocktails like the Margarita and Cosmopolitan surged in the 1980s and 1990s. However, with the resurgence of interest in classic cocktails in the early 2000s, the Aviation experienced a renaissance. Bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts alike began rediscovering its elegance and balance, and it quickly regained its place in the modern cocktail repertoire.

The Aviation Cocktail Recipe

The Aviation Cocktail is revered for its simplicity and elegance, with just four ingredients coming together to create a delicate, floral drink that is both refreshing and complex.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz gin (London dry gin works best)
  • 0.25 oz maraschino liqueur
  • 0.5 oz crème de violette
  • 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon twist or cherry (for garnish)

Execution:

  1. Combine the gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add ice and shake vigorously until well-chilled.
  3. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
  4. Garnish with a lemon twist or a cherry.

Additional Tips

  • Maraschino Liqueur: Maraschino liqueur is an essential ingredient in the Aviation Cocktail, lending a subtle sweetness and almond-like flavor. Don’t substitute it with regular maraschino cherry syrup, as that will result in a very different taste profile.
  • Crème de Violette: This floral liqueur gives the Aviation its distinctive violet hue and a delicate, perfumed flavor. Some versions of the Aviation may use a slightly different amount depending on how pronounced the floral notes are desired.
  • Gin Choice: The gin you choose can have a significant impact on the flavor of your Aviation. A classic London dry gin provides a clean, crisp backbone, but gins with more floral or botanical notes can complement the floral crème de violette and maraschino liqueur.

Curious Facts About the Aviation Cocktail

  • Renaissance of the Cocktail: While the Aviation was a popular drink in the early 20th century, it faded from popularity until its revival in the early 2000s. This was largely thanks to cocktail historians and bartenders seeking out vintage recipes and reintroducing them to modern drinkers.
  • Crème de Violette's Rarity: One of the reasons the Aviation was hard to find for many years was the rarity of crème de violette. After World War II, this ingredient became difficult to produce, and it wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that it became more widely available again.
  • Flight of Fancy: The Aviation Cocktail’s name is a nod to the early days of aviation, when air travel was a symbol of adventure and luxury. The drink is often associated with the glamour and excitement of the 1920s and 1930s, a period when flight was rapidly transforming the world.

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