Creative Drinking

Drink Of The Month: Aviation.

(Pictured above: my very first Aviation and the reason I am writing any of this)

One of my all-time favorite cocktails. I first had this delicately balanced concoction in Manchester, England earlier this year at a fantastic bar called TROF. www.trofnq.co.uk/
I was somewhat familiar with Creme de Violette and the history of The Aviation but had yet to see it on a menu. And yet to experience its charms.
This was also my introduction to Luxardo maraschino liqueur, which has since become a home bar staple. On a trip to Louisville, KY this past summer i was delighted to find several bartenders that were not only familiar with the Aviation but excelled at the construction.
There are are two accepted recipes. The first, which I use, includes Creme de Violette. The second recipe omits it. In 1930, the popular Savoy Cocktail Book dropped the CdV from the recipe. The drink was transformed and CdV eventually became almost impossible to find until its resurrection in 2007. As far as I am concerned, there is no point in an Aviation without it. Not only does the Violette balance the sweet/sour battle between the lemon and maraschino, but you have that LOVELY light purple hue...


A new discovery for me is Aviation Gin. I discovered it during a quick trip to Portland, Oregon this month and their website is wonderful and lists several suggested recipes including both recipes of the Aviation. This gin was named after the nearly 100 year-old cocktail and is the perfect companion to the Luxardo and Violette.

Aviation Gin is more difficult to find (another plus) but my fallback gin has been Plymouth though they make slightly different cocktails. Beefeater is also a good choice. There are many variations on the recipe but the one below is my favorite. My personal version varies slightly as I prefer a little less lemon juice but otherwise it's the perfect amount of ingredients. I have tried about 8 or 9 slight variations (a 1/4 ounce here and there) but this is the one....

BTW- Very interesting article on this delightful cocktail here:
http://cold-glass.com/2010/06/23/aviation-cocktail/http://cold-glass.com/2010/06/23/aviation-cocktail/

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin
• 1/3 oz Luxardo maraschino liqueur
• 1/4 oz Rothman & Winter Creme de Violette (a scant 1/4 oz)
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

Shake vigorously with ice and strain and serve up with a cherry (Luxardo also makes their own soaked cherries- definite plus) in a chilled cocktail glass.

Clink!