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Aviation

The Aviation is a well-known cocktail with a violet colour. The drink is often served as an aperitif and is easy to prepare. It has a striking violet colour and can be ordered in cocktail bars and restaurants. However, you can also prepare the Aviation Cocktail at home. We show you a simple and quickly prepared cocktail recipe. Have fun discovering and enjoying it!

Aviation Cocktail Recipe

  • 6 cl gin
  • 1.5 cl Creme de Violette
  • 2 cl maraschino
  • 2 cl lemon juice

Step by Step Guide

  1. Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker.
  2. After shaking for about 20 seconds, strain into a martini glass.
  3. Add a cocktail cherry to the glass.
  4. Serve or enjoy yourself!
aviation cocktail
chris-barkeeper-nation
Recipe by Chris

Cosmopolitan

To prepare the Aviation Cocktail, add the gin, crème de violette, maraschino, lemon juice and ice cubes one after the other to a cocktail shaker. It is best to measure out the ingredients with a jigger. This ensures that you always use the right amount. Shake the barware well for a few seconds and strain the drink through a bar strainer into a martini glass. Now add a cocktail cherry to the martini glass. Then you can serve the drink immediately or enjoy it yourself!

Bar Accessories:

  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Martini Glass
  • Jigger

The taste profile of the Aviation Cocktail

4.6/5

31 Reviews

The cocktail captivates with the special interplay of gin, lemon juice, maraschino and crème de violette. The Creme de Violett in particular provides a special kick of flavour that few other cocktails can imitate. The Aviation tastes sweet and alcoholic. In addition, the botanicals of gin can be clearly tasted. The botanicals harmonise very well with the crème de violette. The resulting sweet taste makes the Aviation Cocktail special. You should definitely try it for yourself!

Invented by a German

The recipe for the Aviation Cocktail was first published in 1916 in the cocktail book “Recipes for Mixed Drinks”. This book was written by Hugo Ensslins, a German bartender who worked in New York. Ensslins is also considered the inventor of the Brandy Alexander. This classic recipe deviated slightly from today’s recipe. However, the cocktail already had the special colour and appearance back then. Due to this special appearance and thanks to the unique taste, the Aviation Cocktail was ordered over and over again.

As a result, it spread very quickly, first in the USA and then throughout the world. Today, the aperitif can be ordered in almost every cocktail bar. It has also found its place in various cocktail books. At the end of 2011, the Aviaiton was included in the “Unforgettables” list of the International Bartenders Association. At the latest with this, the Aviation became one of the best-known and most popular gin cocktails worldwide. Discover its simple recipe and prepare the special drink at home.

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More Drink Recipes

Aviation - FAQ

What is an Aviation Cocktail?

An Aviation Cocktail is an easy-to-prepare aperitif with a striking purple appearance. The cocktail is easy to prepare and can be made at home in just 3 minutes.

How do you prepare it?

First add gin, maraschino, crème de violette and lemon juice to a shaker filled with ice cubes and shake it well. Then strain the drink into a martini glass and serve.

What does the drink taste like?

The cocktail tastes sweet, fruity and alcoholic. The gin is clearly noticeable and there are also slightly sweet notes from the lemon juice.

Who invented the Aviation Cocktail?

The cocktail was invented by Hugo Ensslins, a German bartender in the USA. He published the recipe in a cocktail book in New York in 1916. Since then, the drink has spread rapidly and can now be drunk in many parts of the world.