Aviation

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.