History & Heritage
“Hugo Ensslin first published the Aviation in his 1916 *Recipes for Mixed Drinks*, a nod to the era's fascination with flight. When crème de violette vanished from shelves mid-century, Harry Craddock's Savoy recipe—sans violet—became the norm and the drink faded from bars. The liqueur's reintroduction in the 2000s sparked a revival, restoring the cocktail's signature sky-blue hue and reestablishing it as a pre-Prohibition gem.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe glass
Shake gin, maraschino, crème de violette and lemon with ice until frosty
Double strain into the chilled glass
Garnish with a brandied cherry or lemon twist
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe glass
Garnish
Luxardo maraschino cherry
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use a light hand with crème de violette
Chill glassware to preserve the delicate aromas
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
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Sour
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Bitter
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Strong
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Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Aviation.
Blue Moon
Early cousin that drops maraschino and leans on crème de violette for a lavender-hued sour.
Changes
Savoy Version
1930 Harry Craddock recipe omitting crème de violette due to scarcity.
Changes
Old Tom Aviation
Swaps London Dry for sweeter Old Tom gin for a rounder profile.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Bee's Knees
Prohibition-era gin, lemon, and honey shaken into a bright, velvety sour whose sweetness once softened rough bathtub gin.
Bramble
Dick Bradsell's 1980s London creation layers dry gin, fresh citrus and rich blackberry liqueur over a mound of crushed ice for a tart, jammy refresher.
Casino
An elegant gin sour with maraschino and lemon—bright, botanical, and subtly cherry-kissed.