Aviation recipe

Portrait of Florian Bouché

Classic cocktail served shaken in a cocktail glass.

Aperitif Court Great classics
Volume 8.5 cl
Alcohol 26.6 %
Calories / serving 181 kcal
Colour White, Transparent
Difficulty Easy
Published 08/2026
Prep time 3 min
Photo of the Aviation cocktail

Ingredients

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Preparation

  1. Pour all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake vigorously for about ten seconds.
  3. Strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass.

Serving

This cocktail is served in:

Martini glass

Martini glass glass Buy

Small coupe

Small coupe glass Buy

History

Created around 1916 by Hugo Ensslin, bartender at the Wallick Hotel in New York. Its bluish tint evoked the sky, in the early days of aviation.

Decoration

Garnish with a maraschino cherry dropped at the bottom of the glass.

Variation

The version in the Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) omits the crème de violette: the cocktail then loses its bluish tint and its color becomes simply translucent.

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Frequently asked questions

Which glass should the Aviation cocktail be served in?

Recommended glass: martini glass or small coupe.

How strong is the Aviation cocktail?

The Aviation cocktail is about 26.6% alcohol.

How many calories are in the Aviation cocktail?

Allow for about 181 kcal per serving.

How long does the Aviation cocktail take to make?

Allow for about 3 min of preparation. Difficulty: easy.

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Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health; please drink responsibly. This cocktail is not recommended for pregnant women.

Portrait of Florian Bouché

Creator and editor of Passion Cocktail

Creator of Passion Cocktail since 2021. I select and review the recipes published on the site and in the mobile app.

Updated on 10/08/2026

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