Aviation Cocktail Recipe

Elegant, floral, and sky-hued – the Aviation cocktail is a vintage gin classic that has soared back into modern cocktail culture.

What is an Aviation Cocktail?

The Aviation cocktail is a refined gin-based drink that dates back to the early 1900s. First published by New York bartender Hugo Ensslin in 1916, it features a delicate blend of gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and crème de violette. The latter gives the drink its signature pale sky-blue hue – a nod to the aviation boom of the era.

This elegant cocktail fell out of fashion mid-century due to the scarcity of crème de violette, but it has since been revived and is now celebrated as a symbol of early 20th-century cocktail sophistication. When made with Muckross Wild Irish Gin, the Aviation takes on an extra layer of wild botanical depth that beautifully complements its floral notes.

What Does an Aviation Cocktail Taste Like?

The Aviation cocktail has a uniquely floral and citrus-forward flavour profile. The gin provides a crisp and herbaceous base, while the maraschino liqueur adds subtle cherry-almond sweetness. Lemon juice brings brightness and balance, and crème de violette lends a whisper of floral complexity along with its iconic lavender-blue tint. Light, elegant, and perfectly balanced, it’s a cocktail that’s as beautiful to sip as it is to behold.

How to Make an Aviation Cocktail

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to making an Aviation cocktail using Muckross Wild Irish Gin.

Ingredients

• 50ml Muckross Wild Irish Gin
• 15ml Maraschino Liqueur
• 10ml Crème de Violette
• 15ml Fresh Lemon Juice
• Garnish: Maraschino Cherry or Lemon Twist

Method

1. Chill your glass: Fill a coupe glass with ice and set aside.
2. Add ingredients to shaker: Combine the gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.
3. Shake: Add ice and shake vigorously for around 15 seconds until well chilled.
4. Strain: Discard the ice from the coupe glass. Double strain the cocktail into the glass using a fine mesh strainer.
5. Garnish: Add a maraschino cherry or twist of lemon peel.

Top Tips

• Crème de violette is powerful – use just enough to colour and perfume the drink without overwhelming it.
• Want a drier version? Reduce the maraschino slightly to highlight the citrus and gin botanicals.
• Use quality ingredients – each element plays a key role in the final balance. Muckross Wild Irish Gin’s herbal and wild berry notes make it an ideal base.

Elegant, aromatic, and endlessly charming, the Aviation cocktail is a must-try for anyone who enjoys gin with a twist of vintage flair.

Looking for more gin cocktail inspiration? Explore our roundup of the 10 Best Gin Cocktail Recipes.

Sláinte is táinte!