unforgettable · shaken
Aviation recipe
Gin, maraschino, lemon and a whisper of crème de violette.
A Aviation is 45 ml (42.3 g) Gin, 15 ml (15.6 g) Maraschino, 15 ml (15.5 g) Fresh Lemon Juice and 5 ml (5.5 g) Crème de Violette, shaken and served in a coupe. It pours to about 80 ml before ice, at roughly 29.8% ABV. Weighing the ingredients instead of measuring them is what keeps the balance identical from one round to the next.
- Glasscoupe
- Methodshaken
- Pour volume80 ml
- Strength (est.)29.8% ABV
- Time4 min
Aviation ingredients — in millilitres and grams
Grams are what the PourPilot coaster actually targets. They are not the same as the millilitres: a spirit is lighter than water, a syrup is heavier, so 30 ml of one is never 30 g. The right-hand column is the density we use, in grams per millilitre.
| Ingredient | Volume | Weight | g/ml | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gin | 45 ml | 42.3 g | 0.94 | Weighed by the coaster |
| Maraschino | 15 ml | 15.6 g | 1.04 | Weighed by the coaster |
| Fresh Lemon Juice | 15 ml | 15.5 g | 1.03 | Weighed by the coaster |
| Crème de Violette | 5 ml | 5.5 g | 1.10 | Weighed by the coaster |
How to make a Aviation
- Set your coupe on the scale (or on the PourPilot coaster) and zero it. Every measurement below is given in millilitres and in grams, so you can use either.
- Add Gin, Maraschino, Fresh Lemon Juice and Crème de Violette to a shaker, weighing each ingredient rather than eyeballing a jigger.
- Fill with ice and shake hard for 12–15 seconds.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
Aviation: the questions people actually ask
How strong is a Aviation?
Roughly 29.8% ABV as poured, before the ice dilutes it — typically another 15–25% water by the time you finish stirring or shaking. Strong. This is a stirred, undiluted-style drink — one is a full measure.
What glass should a Aviation be served in?
A coupe. Chill it first — a room-temperature stemmed glass will undo half the work you just did in the mixing tin.
Can I make a Aviation without a jigger?
Yes — that is what the gram column is for. Put the glass or tin on a kitchen scale, zero it, and pour to the weight. It is more accurate than a jigger because nothing is left clinging to the inside of the measure. The PourPilot coaster does the same thing without you having to watch a display: it lights up as you approach the target and tells you when to stop.
If you like the Aviation
Casino
Gin sharpened with maraschino, lemon and orange bitters.
Bee's Knees
Prohibition-era classic. Honey and lemon make gin shine.
Clover Club
Pre-Prohibition gin sour with raspberry and egg white. Pink and frothy.
Last Word
Equal parts gin, Chartreuse, maraschino, lime. Perfectly balanced.
French 75
Gin, lemon, sugar, topped with Champagne. Artillery-strength.
Bramble
Dick Bradsell's London gin sour with blackberry drizzle.