The Aviation

[FrogPrincesse]

A gin-heavy Aviation with St. George dry rye gin, Luxardo maraschino, R&W violet liqueur. I think it might be the best Aviation I've ever had. The violet was just an accent and the different elements highlighted the malty character of the gin beautifully.

 

 

[Hassouni]

What ratio? The color is beautiful

[FrogPrincesse]

I used:

 

1 2/3 oz gin
1/3 oz lemon juice
1/3 oz maraschino liqueur
1/6 oz violet liqueur

 

Similar ratio to what Adam had posted upthread.

[Hassouni]

50ml, 10, 10, 5?

[FrogPrincesse]

That's right. Much easier in metric!

[DianaB]

Anyone tried this?

http://aviationgin.com

[Adam George]

'salright.

The bottle is cool, too.

[FrogPrincesse]

I have tried it too. Cardamom and lavender notes. Although it's very nice, I did not feel compelled to buy a bottle. Instead, I got the coffee liqueur and the aquavit made by the same company, House Spirits.

 

There is some discussion of this gin in the thread about New Generation Gins.

 

 

 

[Craig E]

Last week I made a very enjoyable Aviation using Solveig gin (not mentioned in that thread). It has a cool bottle too!

[tanstaafl2]

'salright.

The bottle is cool, too.

 

The new bottle is certainly a step up from the original plain wine bottle style they used to use. I like the gin as a light refreshing summer option that isn't overly juniper dominated.

[DianaB]

Many thanks for your comments in respect Aviation gin. Will keep reading these forums until my half bottle of Violette arrives, will select gin then since it is easier to source, hope it doesn't take too long because I'm really looking forward to my first Aviation...

[JoNorvelleWalker]

What Violette do you have on order?  I must say aviations can be pretty nice!  My current favorite gin for aviations is Magellan.

[DianaB]

I've ordered a half bottle Serres Benoit from this company:

http://www.saveurs-ovalie.fr/lang-en/violette-de-toulouse/87-liqueur-a-la-violette-35cl.html

Having noted that little is needed for each cocktail I decided against a full bottle at this stage.

[Adam George]

I'll echo the other two. Aviation gin was nice, but I don't think it's an essential stock. I certainly won't be stocking it.

Massive improvement in the bottle design, too.

[DianaB]

The Luxardo Maraschino and the Liqueur à la Violette have arrived. I tried to order Luxardo cherries but it seems these are out of stock everywhere (or ridiculously expensive) just now. Having read the topic on making Maraschino cherries we'll have a go at that for the longer term. Too impatient for a first attempt at this cocktail we will enjoy it with a factory red cherry.

I have a question in respect of cherry making but I will post it on the Making Maraschino topic in attempt to respect the various threads.

[EvergreenDan]

I recommend you forgo the cherry rather than use neon. Except maybe for Tiki garnishes, which are intentionally tacky.

[tanstaafl2]

I recommend you forgo the cherry rather than use neon. Except maybe for Tiki garnishes, which are intentionally tacky.

 

I would concur. I don't typically garnish an Aviation anyway and I don't remember that it is routinely called for.

[Craig E]

The Luxardo Maraschino and the Liqueur à la Violette have arrived. I tried to order Luxardo cherries but it seems these are out of stock everywhere (or ridiculously expensive) just now. Having read the topic on making Maraschino cherries we'll have a go at that for the longer term. Too impatient for a first attempt at this cocktail we will enjoy it with a factory red cherry.

There may also be a happy medium between the syrupy dyed abominations, and the hassle/expense of imported or homemade cherries. My local grocer carries these cherries with no artificial additives. I think they're great. Good in an Aviation (though I agree, not necessarily essential), outtasite in a Left Hand. 

I wouldn't try to talk you out of making your own if you're up for it, but wanted to let you know of another possible option.

Edited September 4, 2014 by Craig E (log)

[JoNorvelleWalker]

It had been a while, so I made an aviation:

 

2 oz Malacca

1 oz lemon juice

2 teaspoons maraschino

1 teaspoon liqueur de violettes (Tempus Fugit)

 

 

To the best of my memory I'd never tried Malacca in an aviation previously.  Not bad, and it makes for a pretty color.  I have the feeling though, if sampled side by side, I might go with Magellan over Malacca.

[FrogPrincesse]

An Aviation with rye aka a Kentucky Flyer (Sierra Zimei via Gaz Regan) with Wild Turkey rye whiskey 101, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, mint. I reduced the maraschino from 3/4 oz to 1/2 since it tends to take over. The Wild Turkey 101 rye was a good choice for this cocktail. This is fairly straightforward but tasty.

 

It is very similar to a cocktail by Sam Ross called the Adderley.

 

 

[DianaB]

It's a good while now since I started making Aviation cocktails with the help of so many of you on this forum. Scanning through subsequent messages today made me think of writing this update.

 

Aviation was I think the second cocktail produced in our house, hence my nervous questions in 2014.  We are still beginners compared with many here but I am now happy making this drink. The half bottle of violette purchased in 2014 is almost gone, at just 5ml per drink and only one other recipe tried with it (violet fizz, won't be making it again) this illustrates our appreciation of the Aviation.

 

in the end we did make our own cherries to garnish these and other cocktails. I found a Jacques Pepin recipe somewhere, I have it noted if anyone is interested as I've long since lost the URL.

 

So, many thanks to those of you who helped and encouraged me to make this drink and, really, towards confidence to try new (to me) cocktail recipes. Not many cocktail bars in the wilds of Yorkshire where we are based so it is difficult to know what drinks should be like.  You have given me courage to experiment.