OLD FASHIONED COCKTAILS-Aviation
When was the Aviation Invented?
The Aviation cocktail was first created in the early 20th century, around 1916 or 1917, by Hugo Ensslin, a bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City. The cocktail was included in Ensslin’s book “Recipes for Mixed Drinks”, which was published in 1916.
The Aviation was a popular cocktail during the early 20th century, but its popularity declined after the Prohibition era and the drink was nearly forgotten until it was rediscovered and revived by modern mixologists in the 1990s.
The hero of the American series “The Blacklist” describes the Aviation as a cocktail that tastes like spring. The Aviation combines the gin’s gin aroma with the unique fragrance of violets, and the sweet and sour balance of lemon juice and cherry liqueur, which makes you feel the rich fragrance and sweetness of spring when you drink it.
What You Need
- gin
- freshly squeezed lemon juice
- maraschino liqueur
- crème de violette
- Ice
- Lemon twist or cherry, for garnish
How to Make a Aviation?
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add 1½ oz of gin to the shaker using a jigger.
- Add ½ oz of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the shaker.
- Add ½ oz of maraschino liqueur to the shaker.
- Add ¼ oz of crème de violette to the shaker.
- Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, or until the shaker is frosty.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or martini glass using a strainer to catch the ice and any small particles.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or a cherry.
Tip For Making a Aviation
- Use high-quality ingredients: The Aviation is a simple cocktail that relies on the quality of its ingredients. Choose a high-quality gin with a smooth and clean taste, and use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Measure your ingredients precisely: The Aviation has a delicate balance of flavors, so it’s important to measure your ingredients precisely using a jigger. Use the recommended proportions of gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette for the best results.
- Shake vigorously: It should be shaken vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to combine the ingredients and create a frothy texture. Use a cocktail shaker or a Mason jar with a tight-fitting lid for the best results.
- Strain carefully: Strain the cocktail carefully using a fine mesh strainer to remove any ice or small particles that may have formed during the shaking process. This will ensure a smooth and silky texture for your cocktail.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or a cherry: The traditional garnish for it, is a lemon twist, which adds a bright citrusy note to the cocktail. You can also use a cherry for a slightly sweeter flavor and a contrasting red color.
- Experiment with crème de violette: Crème de violette is an optional ingredient that gives the recipe its signature bluish-purple color and a subtle floral flavor. If you can’t find crème de violette, you can leave it out or substitute it with a small amount of blue curaçao.
Frequently asked questions
What type of gin should I use in this cocktail?
Use a high-quality gin with a smooth and clean taste for the best results. Popular gin brands for Aviation include Tanqueray, Hendrick’s, and Bombay Sapphire.
What is the crème de violette in it?
Crème de violette is a sweet liqueur that is flavored with violet flowers. It gives the Aviation its signature bluish-purple color and a subtle floral note. If you can’t find crème de violette, you can leave it out or substitute it with a small amount of blue curaçao.
What is the proper way to serve this cocktail?
It is typically served in a chilled coupe or martini glass with a lemon twist or a cherry for garnish.
Are there any variations of this recipe?
There are many variations of it that use different types of gin, maraschino liqueur, and additional ingredients. For example, you can try using a flavored gin, such as grapefruit or cucumber gin, or add a small amount of absinthe for a more complex and herbal flavor. You can also adjust the amount of crème de violette to control the color and flavor of the cocktail.
Aviation
The Aviation cocktail was first created in the early 20th century, around 1916 or 1917, by Hugo Ensslin, a bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City. The cocktail was included in Ensslin's book "Recipes for Mixed Drinks", which was published in 1916.
The Aviation was a popular cocktail during the early 20th century, but its popularity declined after the Prohibition era and the drink was nearly forgotten until it was rediscovered and revived by modern mixologists in the 1990s.
The hero of the American series "The Blacklist" describes the Aviation as a cocktail that tastes like spring. The Aviation combines the gin's gin aroma with the unique fragrance of violets, and the sweet and sour balance of lemon juice and cherry liqueur, which makes you feel the rich fragrance and sweetness of spring when you drink it.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz gin
- ½ oz maraschino liqueur
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ¼ oz crème de violette
- 1 cup of ice
- maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
Combine gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and parfait amour liqueur in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, cover and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with maraschino cherry.
Notes
Be careful not to over-shake the cocktail, as it can cause the ingredients to become over-diluted and lose their flavor. If you don't have a cocktail shaker, you can use a large glass or a Mason jar with a tight-fitting lid as a substitute.
