Aviation
A beautiful gin sour from the golden age of cocktails, the Aviation is as enchanting to look at as it is to drink. Its signature pale sky-blue hue comes from a whisper of crème de violette, balancing the floral notes of gin with the sweet cherry of maraschino liqueur and the tartness of lemon.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- ½ oz Maraschino Liqueur
- ¼ oz Crème de Violette
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- Garnish: Brandied Cherry
Instructions
- Chill Your Glass: Place a coupe or martini glass in the freezer for a few minutes until it's perfectly chilled.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice into a cocktail shaker.
- Shake Vigorously: Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for about 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty cold.
- Double Strain: Discard any ice from your chilled glass and double-strain the cocktail into it. This removes small ice shards and ensures a silky-smooth texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Drop a single brandied cherry into the bottom of the glass. The color contrast is stunning. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Perfection
The Elusive Violette: The key to the Aviation's unique color and flavor is crème de violette. For many years, this ingredient was hard to find, leading many recipes to omit it. For an authentic Aviation, it is essential. Be careful, as a little goes a long way; too much can make the drink taste soapy.
Quality Liqueurs Matter: Use a high-quality maraschino liqueur like Luxardo, not the syrup from a jar of maraschino cherries. The liqueur has a complex, nutty-sweet flavor that is crucial for the drink's balance. Combined with a quality gin, it creates a truly exceptional cocktail.