The Friday Cocktail: Aviation
When we started talking about this column, my mind immediately went to the Aviation. It’s one of my favorite mixed drinks. I first had it a few years ago as a bartender’s choice, and have been making it at home ever since. It’s a perfect excuse to buy Crème de Violette, which will last you forever because a little goes a really long way. Same goes for Luxardo maraschino liqueur. Too much of either and you’ve got a cloyingly sweet drink, trust me on this one. If you happen to overdo it on either of those, add more lemon. For a drink that is mostly alcohol, it certainly doesn’t taste like it, which makes enjoying more than one a slightly risky move. The recipe says to garnish with a lemon peel but I prefer to drop in a homemade maraschino cherry or two.
Cheers!
K
Aviation Cocktail from The New York Times
Makes 1 drink
2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons maraschino liqueur, preferably Luxardo
1/4 ounce Crème de Violette
Lemon twist, for garnish.
Combine the first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake to chill well, then strain into a cocktail glass. Drizzle the Crème de Violette into the glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
