Here’s a good stiff drink to get your week started. ;)
I go through cocktail phases. Last year, I was meeting with some friends from high school, and the restaurant had this drink on the menu. I’ve been smitten ever since.
Creme de Violette is a violet-infused liqueur. It’s what gives the drink it’s lovely purple hue. Maraschino liqueur is distilled from Marasca cherries. These were the original maraschino cherries, not the Red #4 sugar bombs we think of today. Maraschino liqueur is clear, and while sweet it also has some bitter flavors. Unfortunately, you will have to do some searching to find both of these liqueurs. I suggest looking for large liqueur wholesalers. Or buy them online. I think it’s worth the effort.
The Aviation Cocktail
- 2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 ounce creme de violette
- 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur
- lemon peel or maraschino cherry (for garnish)
- Place a few ice cubes and cold water in a martini glass and set aside to chill.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add in all the ingredients except the garnish. Shake well. Dump the ice and water out of the martini glass. Pour the drink into the chilled glass. Garnish and enjoy!
Serves 1
Measuring in a plain old shotglass works, but a mini-measuring glass makes it much easier and more precise. Especially with such small measurements. Some people in my family think 1/4 ounce of the creme de violette and the maraschino liqueur is too sweet, so they make it closer to 1/6 each. You’ll have to give it a try and see what you think.
Do you have a favorite cocktail? If so, mention it in the comments. I love finding new drinks to try.
Well, you’re certainly convinced me that this recipe would be worth the effort of finding these ingredients, Kalinda! I would love to try an aviation cocktail. :-)
The favorite drink at our house is Crab Claws. Made in a pitcher for a group, it’s perfect for summer and super smooth despite the amount of alcohol that’s in it. I change the recipe up a bit for the holiday with pomegranate juice and arils and the drink becomes Reindeer Antlers. Both are quite popular among our friends and family. ;-)
Shirley
That does sound like a great drink for a party. It’s so much easier to whip up drinks in a batch than making individual cocktails for everyone. I love the addition of pomegranate juice too. I like my drinks on the tart side. Thanks for sharing!
Love Maraschino Cherries Liquer! It is worth finding it here in the States. I always bring the bottle from Europe. It is fantastic for macerating any kind of fruit!
What a fun cocktail and the violet liqueur and the cherry liqueur are a perfect compliment. The Violet liqueur is new to me, so I’ll have to take a look for it. For those of you(at least in Canada) that are interested, you can just ask your local government liquor store to order it for you, if you don’t see it on the shelves.
Lili: The little “recipe booklet” that sometimes comes with the maraschino liqueur suggests doing just that. I imagine it’d be great over vanilla ice cream. Or maybe a shortcake.
France: What!?! Government run liquor stores? That cater to your requests? Crazy.