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I think the sky blue colour is essential. So maybe a little bit to much violets. Thinking about substituting it with Blue Curaçao. But then maybe loosing the complexity and the sport.
Try Bitter Truth Violet Liqueur. I find it results in a pale blue color rather than the grayish purple that many of the violet liqueurs create.
The Aviation is one that is really hard to get in a color other than muddy gray by the traditional recipe. I wanted one with that light purple/blue hue, which would be a much more attractive cocktail to enjoy without being overly floral. I use 2 oz gin, 1/2 oz clarified lemon juice (just pass through a coffee filter), 1/4 oz creme de violette and 1/4 oz maraschino. Then I STIR over ice and strain. The result is as clear as the sky should be for a good day of flying!
The violet liqueur matters. Where I live there are basically 2 choices for the violet liqueur - Bitter Truth Violet Liqueur and Rothman & Winters Creme de Violette. Bitter Truth makes a beautiful, clear, pale blue dink while R&W makes a muddy purplish gray cocktail. They taste different too - I prefer the Bitter Truth for taste as well as looks in this drink. Also, fine straining the lemon makes the drink more clear.
