Make This Drink: The Aviation

The Aviation cocktail is a classic gin-based drink that was created in 1916 by Hugo Ensslin, a bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City.

The drink has an interesting history, and its recipe has gone through several changes over the years. In the original recipe, the Aviation was made with gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette. However, after Prohibition, crème de violette was no longer available in the United States, so the recipe was altered, and the cocktail became lighter in color and less floral in flavor. The drink was then forgotten for several decades until the early 2000s, when craft bartenders rediscovered the classic recipe. With the resurgence of interest in classic cocktails, crème de violette was reintroduced to the United States, and the original recipe of the Aviation cocktail was once again popularized.

The cocktail has a distinctive pale blue color and a delicate floral aroma that comes from the crème de violette. It has a crisp and refreshing taste that is perfect for a hot summer day. The drink is usually garnished with a cherry or a lemon twist, and it is traditionally served in a chilled coupe glass.

Over the years, the Aviation has become an iconic cocktail that represents the early days of flight and adventure. Featured in books and film, it remains a popular drink among cocktail enthusiasts from around the world and is a true testament to the creativity and ingenuity of bartenders.

Now go make this drink.

• 2 oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Maraschino Liqueur

• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice

• ¼ oz. Simple Syrup

• Bar spoon Crème de Violette

Shake ingredients with ice, double strain into chilled coupe and garnish with lemon peel or brandied cherry.