Professional photograph of a Aviation cocktail with garnish in elegant bar setting

Cocktail

Aviation

El cóctel Aviation es una mezcla clásica que combina ginebra, licor de marrasquino, jugo de limón fresco y un toque de crème de violette, que le da un distintivo color azul claro. Su sabor equilibrado y floral lo convierte en una opción refrescante y elegante, perfecta para cualquier ocasión. Este trago ha sido un favorito desde principios del siglo XX, evocando una sensación de nostalgia y sofisticación.

  • floral
  • afrutado
  • ácido
  • suave
Elena
By ElenaClassic Cocktails & Gin ExpertPublished Reviewed
Prep Time
4 min
Glass
Cocktail glass
Difficulty
Intermediate
ABV
18%
Yields
1 serving
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El Aviation es un cocktail con gin como protagonista, listo en 4 minutos. El resultado es un sabor floral and afrutado que merece cada minuto. Constantemente entre las búsquedas más populares de "cena elegante".

Key Takeaways

What you’ll learn

  • The Aviation cocktail is a pre-Prohibition classic featuring gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice.
  • Crème de violette gives the Aviation its signature sky-blue color and delicate floral notes.
  • Created by Hugo Ensslin in 1916, the Aviation nearly disappeared before experiencing a modern revival when Rothman & Winter reintroduced crème de violette to the US market in 2007.
  • The key to a perfect Aviation is balancing the floral violette with quality London Dry gin and proper shaking technique.
  • Use only 1/4 oz of crème de violette — too much turns the drink soapy and overpoweringly perfumed.

Ingredients

Serves
1 serving
Glass
Cocktail glass
Prep
4 min
  • 4.5 clGin
  • 1.5 cllemon juice
  • 1.5 clmaraschino liqueur

Method

Preparation

  1. 01

    Agrega todos los ingredientes en una coctelera llena de hielo. Agita bien y cuela en una copa de cóctel. Decora con una cereza.

Origin

History & Origins

The Aviation cocktail first appeared in Hugo Ensslin's 1916 book "Recipes for Mixed Drinks." Ensslin was the head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City, and his book documented many of the era's most popular cocktails. The original recipe included all four main ingredients: gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette, creating a drink whose ethereal purple-blue hue was said to evoke the pale sky seen from an airplane — hence the name.

The cocktail's history took a dramatic turn when Harry Craddock published his influential "Savoy Cocktail Book" in 1930. His Aviation recipe omitted the crème de violette entirely, likely because the ingredient had become virtually impossible to source in post-Prohibition America. For decades, many bartenders created "Aviations" without violette, essentially producing a gin sour with maraschino. While still delicious, these drinks lacked the signature color and floral character that made the original special.

The Aviation experienced near extinction during the mid-20th century before being rediscovered by craft cocktail enthusiasts in the early 2000s. The turning point came in 2007 when Rothman & Winter reintroduced their crème de violette to the American market, making it possible to recreate authentic Aviations once again. Today, several brands produce quality crème de violette, including The Bitter Truth and Tempus Fugit, and the Aviation has been firmly restored to its rightful place on craft cocktail menus worldwide.

Today, several brands produce quality crème de violette, including The Bitter Truth and Tempus Fugit, and the Aviation has been firmly restored to its rightful place on craft cocktail menus worldwide.

Maraschino liqueur, the cocktail's other key ingredient, also carries a rich history. Luxardo has been producing their maraschino liqueur in Italy since 1821, fermenting and distilling the entire Marasca cherry — including the pits, stems, and skins — using methods largely unchanged for two centuries. This complex production process creates the subtle cherry-almond character that is absolutely essential to the Aviation's flavor profile.

Bartender’s Insight

Pro Tips

El zumo de lima fresco es esencial para el equilibrio adecuado

From Elena

  • use ginebra de calidad como espíritu base

  • la crème de violette añade color y notas florales cruciales

  • sirva en una copa de bola

At the Table

Perfect Pairings

Canapés de caviar
Paté de hígado de ganso
Jamón serrano curado
Erizo de mar
Endibia cubierta de caviar

Beyond the Classic

Variations

Aviation con Enjuague de Absenta

Una versión enjuagada con absenta para una complejidad herbácea

Aviation Moderno

Una interpretación contemporánea utilizando espíritus artesanales

Ponche Aviation

Un cóctel por lotes de gran formato para eventos

Watch

See it in action

Questions

Frequently Asked

Aviation Recipe — Authentic Gin Cocktail | Hero Cocktails | Hero Cocktails