Updated on: 6/3/2025
The Significance Behind the Name ‘Aviation’ in the Cocktail World
Of all the classic drinks that evoke a sense of romantic adventure, the Aviation cocktail stands apart. Its name conjures cloud-high imagery and the glamour of early flight, but the story behind this pale blue sipper is rooted in the fervor of a new century and the invention of aviation itself.
From Runways to Rocks Glass: Origins of the Aviation’s Name
Created in the early 1900s, the Aviation earned its moniker just as powered flight captured the world’s imagination. The earliest printed recipe, found in Hugo Ensslin’s 1916 'Recipes for Mixed Drinks,' arrived less than two decades after the Wright brothers’ historic flight. The era overflowed with fascination for science and progress—and the blue-tinted cocktail was a toast to the boundary-defying spirit of aviation.
A Color That Called to Flight
What makes the Aviation distinctive is its delicate hue, achieved with crème de violette. When combined with gin and lemon, this liqueur gives the drink an ethereal blue tint—reminiscent of an open sky at sunrise. Early recipes, like those from Hugo Ensslin and later the Savoy Cocktail Book, describe or imply this subtle blue color. The drink’s look was as much an aspirational nod to the new age of flying as its name.
How the Aviation Captured the Public Imagination
As flight expanded possibilities for travel, the cocktail’s very name became a metaphor for optimism and modernity. Ordering an Aviation in a gilded lounge meant participating in a cultural moment—a salute to progress, risk-taking, and the thrill of the clouds. The drink promised more than refreshment; it let drinkers taste ‘the sky’ at a time when few could imagine flying.
Aviation Recipes: PDT vs. Difford’s Twist
While the Aviation’s foundation is defined, classic recipes differ in their approach. Two highly regarded adaptations come from the PDT (Please Don’t Tell) bar and Simon Difford.
- PDT Aviation: draws closest to the Ensslin version, emphasizing crème de violette for vibrant color.
- Difford’s Aviation: tones down the violet, resulting in a drier, more focused gin profile.
Aviation Recipe (PDT Version)
- 60 ml dry gin
- 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml maraschino liqueur
- 7.5 ml crème de violette
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake well for 12 seconds.
- Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Aviation Recipe (Difford’s Guide Version)
- 60 ml dry gin
- 22.5 ml fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml maraschino liqueur
- 5 ml crème de violette (optional, for color)
- Shake gin, lemon, maraschino, and optional crème de violette with ice.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry or a lemon twist.
Why the Name Endures
The Aviation’s name is inseparable from its era—one of wonder, innovation, and a collective longing to touch the sky. Its color and crisp aromatic profile continue to transport drinkers, making the simple act of sipping as enchanting as watching a plane ascend into the clouds.