“Keep your seat belt securely fastened.”

From the book Recipes for Mixed Drinks (1916), the Aviation cocktail was created by Hugo Ensslin of the Hotel Wallick in New York City. The Aviation, named for its sky-blue color, has become a favorite of many cocktail enthusiasts since the resurgence of the once impossible-to-find Crème de Violette liqueur. We’ve tweaked Ensslin’s original recipe to make a version we think gives this drink nice depth and wider appeal.

The Aviation Cocktail
2 oz. gin
1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
2 barspoons maraschino liqueur
1 bar spoon of Crème de Violette

Add ingredients and cracked ice into cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain and serve straight up. Sink a maraschino cherry into glass for garnish.

Tasting notes: The Crème de Violette gives the cocktail a delicate botanical nose. The maraschino and gin dance on your lips, giving way to the gentle tartness of the lemon at the finish.

There’s not a better drink to remind you that spring is just around the corner.