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Aviation (Savoy spec.)

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (141)
Aviation (Savoy spec.) image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 3⁄4 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
3⁄4 fl oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
1⁄2 fl oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄3 fl oz Chilled water/mineral water (omit if using wet ice)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of Luxardo Maraschino Cherry (& optional sugar rim).

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with skewered cherry.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Aviation (Savoy spec.) contains 171 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 21.2% alc./vol. (42.4° proof)
  • 22.7 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Adapted from a recipe in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book.

AVIATION COCKTAIL.
1/3 Lemon juice.
2/3 Dry Gin.
2 Dashes Maraschino.
Shake well and strain into chilled glass.

Harry Craddock, The Savoy Cocktail Book, 1930


Aviation cocktail history and variations

Review

Tangy gin-laced lemon sourness with aromatic maraschino - too many of these and you really will be flying.

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$4.43 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 14 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


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Comments & Discussion

Joseph Nelson Premium Member
Oh my! Most gin cocktails like to pair with vermouth (which is dandy) but I wanted to try something different and this was an absolute treat! Firstly, I did cut the lemon juice, as is my standard, down to a heavy 1/4 ounce, but the rest was kept as is and it was wonderful! Part of that might be the Lazzaroni Maraschino I use, which is gentler than Luxardo. The gin was still very dominant, so use something decent. But golly, the whole thing was a tart treat.
score: 2
John Redfern
Very simple a little on the dry side for me personally
score: 1
Kévin Martin
Excellent cocktail. Très simple mais très savoureux. Douceur et acidité se marient très bien.
score: 0
Egor Doroshenko
Hello Simon! I noticed that it is so close to SKIPPER by Albert Crockett. Maybe you can add SKIPPER to the Guide? Page 162 of Old Waldorf Bar Days: two thirds gin, one fourth Maraschino, dash of orange juice, dash of lemon juice. Shake!
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Thanks, Egor. I'll be sure to add the Skipper, which is served frappé.
score: 1
Egor Doroshenko
And what is the meaning of "frappe" in the book? I thoght it was something like "shake", but maybe it means to serve with crushed ice?
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Frappe cocktails are shaken and then strained over crushed ice.
score: 0
John Hinojos Premium Member
We decided to adjust the Maraschino Liqueur based closer to the original Craddock recipe. Really liked the resulting cocktail as it was very dry. The Maraschino adds a wonderful hint of flavour which was balanced by the lemon. The taste of the gin was in the forefront.
score: 1
Dávid Ugróczi
Do we know how much a dash means (in ml) in Harry Craddock's recipes?
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
The challenge is that one person's dash is another's splash. (Please click "measures and measuring" below recipe.)
score: 1
Chris Dimal
Not my favourite at all. It's really dry, and there is an astringent, chemical sweetness to it (probably the Maraschino).
score: 1
Alasdair MacDonald
slightly on the sweet side. half a shot of Maraschino should suffice.
score: 0
Gillian Williams
Fabulous cocktail. Will try with the creme de violette and see which I prefer.
score: 3

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Difford’s Shop logo
$4.43 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 14 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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