Aviation Drink Recipe: Best, Easy, ML & UK Versions 

The Aviation is a Prohibition-era gin cocktail made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice, shaken and strained into a chilled coupe glass. Known for its pale purple hue and floral, citrus-forward flavor, it dates back to Hugo Ensslin's 1916 recipe book and remains a favorite among classic cocktail fans today.

What Is an Aviation Cocktail?

The Aviation is a gin sour with a twist: crème de violette, a floral liqueur made from violet petals, gives the drink its signature pale purple-blue color and a delicate, candy-like flavor. Paired with maraschino liqueur's cherry sweetness and fresh lemon juice's tartness, the result is a balanced, slightly sweet, slightly tart cocktail that's as visually striking as it is delicious.

How Did the Aviation Cocktail Get Its Name and History?

The Aviation cocktail was created by Hugo Ensslin, head bartender at New York's Hotel Wallick, and first appeared in his 1916 book Recipes for Mixed Drinks. Its name references the pale sky-blue color the drink can take on, evoking early aviation's golden age. Harry Craddock's 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book dropped the crème de violette due to shortages, a version many bartenders still use today.

Crème de violette all but vanished from the market during the 1960s, taking the Aviation with it. It wasn't until 2007, when importer Haus Alpenz began bringing Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette into the U.S. from Austria, that the cocktail made its comeback. Today, brands like The Bitter Truth, Giffard, and Tempus Fugit also produce violet liqueurs suited to the recipe.

What Are the Ingredients in an Aviation Cocktail?

An authentic Aviation cocktail requires just four core ingredients, plus a garnish:

• Gin  The spirit base. A London Dry style like Beefeater or Tanqueray works well; some prefer softer options like Plymouth.
• Maraschino liqueur  Adds cherry-forward sweetness. Luxardo is the industry standard.
• Crème de violette  The defining ingredient, contributing both color and floral flavor.
• Fresh lemon juice  Balances the sweetness with acidity.
• Garnish  A brandied or maraschino cherry, edible flower, or lemon twist.

What Is the Best Aviation Cocktail Recipe?

This version, based on the IBA's official specification and widely echoed by professional bartenders, offers the most balanced flavor and color.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz (60 ml) gin
• ½ oz (15 ml) maraschino liqueur
• ¼ oz (7.5 ml) crème de violette
• ¾ oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
• Garnish: brandied cherry or lemon twist

Instructions:

1. Chill a coupe glass in the freezer for 20–30 minutes (optional but recommended).
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Add the gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice.
4. Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Strain into the chilled coupe glass.
6. Garnish with a cherry or lemon twist and serve immediately.

What Is an Easy Aviation Cocktail Recipe for Beginners?

If you're new to cocktail-making or don't have crème de violette on hand, this simplified version still delivers the classic Aviation flavor profile, just without the signature purple tint.

• 2 oz gin
• ¾ oz lemon juice
• ½ oz maraschino liqueur
• Shake with ice, strain into a glass, and garnish with a cherry

This mirrors Harry Craddock's 1930s adaptation and is a great way to practice the technique before investing in violet liqueur.

What Is the Aviation Cocktail Recipe in ML?

For those who prefer metric measurements, here's the standard recipe converted:

Shake all ingredients with ice for 10–15 seconds, then fine-strain into a chilled coupe glass.

What Is the Aviation Cocktail Recipe for UK Bartenders?

UK home bartenders can find most Aviation ingredients through major spirits retailers. Hayman's London Dry Gin, a British-made option, pairs particularly well with Luxardo Maraschino and Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette all commonly stocked in UK specialty liquor shops and available online.

UK measurements (imperial to metric):

• 1¾ fl oz (52 ml) Hayman's London Dry Gin
• ½ fl oz (15 ml) Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
• ¼ fl oz (7.5 ml) crème de violette
• ½ fl oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
• Optional: ¼ fl oz (7.5 ml) chilled water to soften the sharpness if not using wet ice

What Common Mistakes Should You Avoid When Making an Aviation?

• Using too much crème de violette: This overwhelms the drink with floral sweetness and pushes it toward a muddy grey rather than pale purple. Start with ¼ oz and adjust to taste.
• Skipping fresh lemon juice: Bottled juice lacks the brightness needed to balance the liqueurs.
• Shaking too briefly: Under-shaking leaves the drink under-chilled and under-diluted, resulting in a harsher taste.
• Ignoring glass temperature: A warm glass causes the drink to lose its chill (and its visual appeal) within minutes.

How Can You Customize an Aviation Cocktail?

• Sweeter palate: Add ⅛ oz simple syrup to soften the tartness.
• Stronger violet color: Some bartenders skip shaking the crème de violette entirely, adding it directly to the glass before pouring in the shaken mix, which helps preserve a brighter hue.
• Vodka swap: Replace gin with vodka for a lighter, less botanical variation.
• Sparkling twist: Top with a splash of Champagne for a "Violet Royale" variation.
• No violette on hand: Omit it entirely; the drink will taste similar but lose its signature color.

Can You Make an Aviation Cocktail Ahead of Time?

Yes. You can batch the gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice in the correct ratios and refrigerate the mix for up to 3 days. Shake individual servings with ice just before serving, since pre-mixed batches lose their chill and dilution balance if stored already shaken.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many calories are in an Aviation cocktail?
An Aviation cocktail typically contains 160–175 calories per serving, depending on the exact gin and liqueur brands used and portion sizes.

What does an Aviation cocktail taste like?
It tastes floral, slightly sweet, and citrus-forward, with cherry notes from the maraschino liqueur and a delicate violet finish from the crème de violette.

Why is my Aviation cocktail grey instead of purple?
Shaking crème de violette with acidic lemon juice can cause a muddy grey color. Try adding the violette to the glass before pouring in the shaken mix, or stir instead of shake.

Can I make an Aviation cocktail without crème de violette?
Yes. Omitting it creates a lighter-colored gin sour with maraschino and lemon juice, similar to Harry Craddock's 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book version.

What gin works best in an Aviation cocktail?
A London Dry gin like Beefeater or Tanqueray is a reliable classic choice, though Plymouth gin offers a softer, rounder alternative.

How long does an Aviation cocktail last once mixed?
A shaken Aviation is best consumed immediately, as ice dilution and chill diminish within 10–15 minutes. Unmixed batched ingredients can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

What glass should I use for an Aviation cocktail?
A chilled coupe glass is the traditional choice, as it showcases the drink's pale purple color and keeps the cocktail cold longer than a standard rocks glass.

Is the Aviation cocktail an official IBA drink?
Yes. The Aviation is recognized as one of the International Bartenders Association's official cocktails, listed under "The Unforgettables" category.

What's the difference between crème de violette and Crème Yvette?
Crème de violette is a pure violet liqueur, while Crème Yvette contains additional spices and berries, giving it a more complex, slightly different flavor profile. Both can be used in an Aviation.

Can I substitute lime juice for lemon juice in an Aviation cocktail?
Yes, though it's a variation on the classic. Lime juice adds a slightly different tartness and is sometimes preferred by those who find lemon too sharp.