Classic Aviation Cocktail With Maraschino and Crème de Violette

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crème de violette gives the drink an elegant pale-lavender color and delicate floral aroma.
• Fresh lemon juice balances the sweet liqueurs with clean, lively acidity.
• Gin contributes layers of juniper, citrus, herbs, and other botanicals.
• It takes only 5 minutes to make but feels polished enough for a special occasion.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 fresh lemon
• Dairy: None required
• Pantry: Ice cubes and 1 brandied maraschino cherry
• Spirits and Liqueurs: London dry gin, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette

Full Ingredients

For the Cocktail

• 2 ounces London dry gin: Choose a crisp, juniper-forward gin that will remain noticeable alongside the floral and fruit flavors.
• 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur: Use clear maraschino liqueur, not the syrup from a jar of cocktail cherries.
• 1/4 ounce crème de violette: This violet-flavored liqueur provides the Aviation’s signature floral character and subtle lavender hue.
• 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice: Strain out seeds and excess pulp before measuring.
• 1 cup ice cubes: For shaking the cocktail.

For Chilling and Garnishing

• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1 brandied maraschino cherry: For garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the serving glass

Place 1 cup of ice cubes in a 5- to 6-ounce coupe or Nick and Nora glass. Add 1/2 cup cold water and let the glass stand for 2 minutes while you measure the cocktail. Chilling the glass helps the finished drink remain close to its ideal serving temperature of 35 to 40°F.

Step 2: Measure the spirits and liqueurs

Pour 2 ounces London dry gin, 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur, and 1/4 ounce crème de violette into a cocktail shaker. Measure carefully, especially the crème de violette: too much can make the drink taste perfumed and overly sweet.

Step 3: Add the fresh lemon juice

Squeeze a fresh lemon and strain the juice through a small fine-mesh strainer. Measure 3/4 ounce and add it to the shaker. Fresh juice is important because bottled lemon juice can taste muted or harsh in such a spirit-forward cocktail.

Step 4: Add ice and shake

Add the remaining 1 cup of ice cubes to the shaker. Seal it securely and shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds. The outside of the shaker should feel very cold and develop a light layer of frost or condensation. Shaking chills, dilutes, and aerates the drink, softening the lemon’s acidity and integrating the floral liqueur.

Step 5: Fine-strain the cocktail

Discard the ice water from the chilled glass and shake out any remaining droplets. Strain the cocktail through both the shaker’s strainer and a small fine-mesh strainer into the glass. Fine-straining removes small ice chips and lemon pulp, giving the Aviation a smooth, polished appearance.

Step 6: Garnish and serve

Drop 1 brandied maraschino cherry gently into the cocktail or place it on a cocktail pick across the rim. Serve immediately, while the drink is thoroughly chilled and its botanical and floral aromas are at their freshest.

Pro Tips

• Use a jigger: Small changes in the liqueur measurements noticeably affect the balance, so precise measuring produces the best result.
• Choose clear maraschino liqueur: The proper liqueur has a complex cherry-pit and almond-like flavor. Bright red cherry syrup is not a substitute.
• Keep the violet subtle: Crème de violette should add fragrance and color without overpowering the gin. Start with the measured 1/4 ounce rather than pouring freely.
• Shake with solid ice: Fresh, dense cubes chill the cocktail quickly without creating excessive dilution.
• Taste your lemon: If the fruit is unusually tart, reduce the juice to 2/3 ounce; if it is mild, use the full 3/4 ounce.

Variations

• Softer Floral Aviation: Reduce the crème de violette to 1 teaspoon for a paler drink with a more restrained violet aroma.
• Extra-Citrusy Aviation: Add 1 strip of lemon peel to the shaker, shake as directed, and remove it during straining. Garnish with a fresh lemon twist instead of a cherry.
• Sparkling Aviation: Strain the cocktail into a chilled 7-ounce coupe and top with exactly 1 ounce of dry sparkling wine for a lighter, effervescent variation.

Storage & Make-Ahead

An Aviation is best shaken and served immediately; a fully mixed cocktail should not be stored after it has been diluted with ice. For advance preparation, combine the gin, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette in a sealed bottle and refrigerate at 40°F or below for up to 1 week. For four cocktails, pre-mix 8 ounces gin, 2 ounces maraschino liqueur, and 1 ounce crème de violette. When ready to serve, measure 2 3/4 ounces of the spirit mixture into a shaker, add 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice and 1 cup ice, then shake and strain as directed. Fresh lemon juice may be strained, covered, and refrigerated at 40°F or below for up to 24 hours, although juice squeezed just before mixing has the brightest flavor.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 210 kcal | Carbs: 11g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 10g | Sodium: 1mg | Cholesterol: 0mg