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This four ingredient classic aviation co*cktail recipe is light, bright, and floral! It's best known for its indigo hue and citrus flavor.
Indigo co*cktails are all the rage right now, and this classic gin co*cktail fits the bill. It's the perfect blend of sweet and tart, plus it's super pretty!
Why you'll love it
- This mixed drink from the 1900’s is back and here to stay.
- It's fun to experiment with new drink recipes and liqueurs!
- An aviation gin co*cktail is perfect for happy hour at home, girls night, or late night drinks.
- It looks impressive with its sky-blue / lavender color.
What is an aviation co*cktail?
The aviation co*cktail history dates back to the early twentieth century. It was created by HugoEnsslin at the Hotel Wallick in New York.
This retro co*cktail combines gin, maraschino liqueur, creme de violette, and fresh lemon juice.
Equipment
co*cktail shaker bar set: This stainless steel shaker comes with a measuring jigger and mixing spoon.
Double co*cktail jigger: Perfect for home bar beginners!
Ingredients
Be sure to track down all the ingredients and measure precisely.
- Gin: Use your favorite dry gin as the base of this co*cktail.
- Maraschino Liqueur: Luxardo maraschino liqueur imparts its bittersweet cherry flavor.
- Crème de Violette: Rothman & Winter crème de violette is a liqueur made from violet flower petals. It gives the aviation its iconic color.
- Lemon Juice: This ingredient adds acidity to cut through the sweetness. I recommend using fresh citrus juice.
How to make an aviation co*cktail
This co*cktail is super simple to make! Just shake ingredients together with ice and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Serving tips
Serve aviation straight up, without ice, in a co*cktail glass. Garnish with a lemon peel or maraschino cherry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the recipe for aviation co*cktail?
To make a homemade aviation, shake 1 ½ ounces dry gin, ½ ounce maraschino liqueur, ½ ounce fresh lemon juice, and ¼ ounce creme de violette with ice. Strain into a co*cktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist or single maraschino cherry.
What is the best gin for aviation co*cktail?
It was originally created with El-Bart gin, however you can use your favorite dry gin. Beefeater and Bombay Sapphire are popular choices, as well as Citadelle because of its light flavor profile. I like using Empress Gin, due to its indigo hue from butterfly pea blossom and traditional citrus notes. Check out these simple Empress Gin co*cktails!
Can I make an aviation co*cktail with vodka?
To make a clean aviation co*cktail, replace the gin with vodka and add a dash of absinthe.
Does creme de violette have dairy?
Creme de violet contains no cream or dairy! It's a sweet floral liqueur with either a brandy base, a neutral spirit base, or a combination of the two.
Related recipes
Want more easy co*cktail recipes? Check these out next:
- Classic Gin Gimlet
- Manhattan co*cktail
- Negroni co*cktail
- Aperol Spritz Recipe
- Classic Margarita Up
- Paloma co*cktail
- Texas Ranch Water
- Pickleback co*cktail
- Bloody Mary co*cktail
- Champagne co*cktail
Aviation co*cktail Recipe
Author: Jenna Urben
This four ingredient classic aviation co*cktail recipe is light, bright, and floral! It's best known for its indigo hue and citrus flavor.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1 co*cktail
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces gin
- ½ ounce maraschino liqueur
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¼ ounce crème de violette
Instructions
Add the gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and crème de violette to a co*cktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake it until cold. Strain into a co*cktail glass.
Notes
Serve aviation co*cktail straight up, without ice. Garnish with a lemon peel or maraschino cherry.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating or review in the form below, then snap a picture and tag me @theurbenlife on Instagram!
More Drink and co*cktail Recipes
- Lemon Drop Martini
- Gin Gimlet
- French Gimlet
- Classic Manhattan co*cktail
About Jenna Urben
Jenna Urben is the recipe developer, content creator, and storyteller behind The Urben Life. She has over 10 years experience adapting family favorite meals to fit allergy-friendly diets. Join Jenna as she shares delicious dairy-free recipes that are easy to follow with plenty of tips and alternatives.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Andie P
Our 1st Aviation recipe that my daughter and I made. Just perfect! We’ve made it with the syrup of Luxardo cherries jar as well as the Luxardo liquor. Both are good but we love the syrup the best although there’s a limited supply. 🙁Reply
Jenna Urben
Happy to hear that 🙂 We just recently enjoyed aviation co*cktails this weekend too!
Reply
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