PrintTime for a Drink: The Aviation
Let's get this weekend started right. Here's a cocktail to kick things off. Need more than one? Here you go. Cheers!
Record delays. Overbooked flights. Security lines.
Does anyone remember when flying was fun?
In its early days, aviation was just about the most dashing thing around, and the whole idea of taking to the sky was as fantastic a dream as any. Back then, it was all leather flight jackets and pilot’s goggles, the roar of the propeller and the wind in your hair; now, we’re stuck with cramped seats, missed connections, and walking around in public in our socks.
Aviation’s glory days even inspired the creation of a cocktail. Once the secret-handshake drink of the cocktail cognoscenti, today this drink is as common as an extended layover. A mixture of gin, lemon juice and maraschino liqueur, the Aviation is a very friendly introduction to classic cocktails--and let’s face it, if you’re flying this summer, you’re going to need a drink.
Why is it called the aviation? Because the drink's earliest printed recipe (in 1917) called for the inclusion of creme de violette (creme Yvette was a notable proprietary brand), a violet-flavored and colored liqueur that gave the drink a cerulean hue that brought to mind the wild, blue yonder. Production of creme Yvette was discontinued decades ago, but fortunately, a new violet liqueur from Rothman & Winter appeared in New York last month; starting this month, it should start trickling into California. Keep an eye out for a bottle, so you can mix up an authentic aviation.
The Aviation, Biplane Version
2 ounces gin
3/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons maraschino liqueur
1 teaspoons crème de violette
Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker; fill with ice, and shake well for 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass; garnish with a cherry.
Aviation, Jet-Age Version
2 ounces gin
3/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons maraschino liqueur
Prepare and serve as above. Some things never change.
Note: There are as many different versions of the Aviation as there are rules about objects you can bring onboard an aircraft. Most concern the proportion of lemon juice to maraschino. You may wish to adjust the measurements to your personal taste.
View other entries from Cocktail Concoctions.
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6 Comments:
What is maraschino liqueur? Don't tell me it's that sugary syrup they soak those evil red cherries in...
emily20008 at 6:07PM on 08/17/07
D'oh! I knew you'd beat me to it. We still can't get the Rothman here in San Francisco.... grr.
anitaepler at 8:29PM on 08/17/07
According to Google, the Aviation Cocktail as printed in 'Recipes for Mixed Drinks', by Hugo Ensslin (1916, not 1917) is composed of:
2oz Gin
0.5oz Fresh Lemon Juice
1tsp Maraschino Liqueur
1tsp Violet Liqueur (Parfait Amour)
Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds full with ice and add all of the ingredients. Shake very hard for approximately 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
I found that mixture quite gin heavy and settled for a 3:1:1:1 ratio (Gin:Lemon juice:Maraschino:Parfait-Amour). I serve the Aviation on a sugar rimmed glas using lemon as the moisturizer to get that caster sugar to stick.
DrJunge at 4:26PM on 08/20/07
Where is the actual recipe?
Peasantwench at 10:00PM on 08/20/07
DrJunge -- thanks for the correction on the date, and for sharing Ensslin's recipe. Though, I see you're using Parfait Amour in place of the violet liqueur--while the appearance is similar, the flavor isn't. Parfait Amour is flavored with vanilla and orange peel (among other things), and has a taste that's been described as similar to that of grape jelly beans, whereas creme de violette tastes like violet pastilles, with that delicate floral aspect.
Peasantwench -- oops! the recipe got truncated during an edit. It's back now.
Paul Clarke at 1:16PM on 08/29/07
Hi Paul, you are right, I bought 'Violette Parfait Amour' in France and thought it was the right thing. Next time I'll get the right stuff. Thanks for the tip.
DrJunge at 4:59PM on 08/29/07