Comments on: The Original Aviation

By: Vieux Carré

Vieux Carré — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 04:24:11 +0000

I find the Aviation without the créme de violette a good, but unexceptional, cocktail; but add the violette and it becomes simply wonderful–a subtle and complex drink with depth.

By: Aviator Extraordinaire

Aviator Extraordinaire — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:41:40 +0000

Well, interestingly, I have just tried the original aviator several times and come up with my own ratios, but that is clearly due to differences in brands of liquor used. I am not a huge fan of Gin’s juniper taste, so have found my favorite gin to be Leopold Bros. American Gin, which has strong notes of lemon and orange over any hints of juniper. It also is suprisingly sweet for a gin. That being said, I did manage to arrive at cocktail nirvana with the following ratios:

2 1/2 oz Leopold Bros. Small Batch Gin
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Luxardo Marachino Liqueur
1/2 oz R & W Creme De Violette

While this tasted tremendous, I am thinking of backing off of the Marachino slightly due to the sweetness of the Gin I am starting with. The end product tended to be a touch sweeter than I think I want. I may also up the lemon juice especially if using a Gin that has less of a lemon overtone than the Leopold Bros.

Just a fantastic cocktail, however. Creme De Violete is very tasty I must say. Now to try the moonlight cocktail.

By: anonymous drinker

anonymous drinker — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:19:41 +0000

Jay – Thank you for the tip on the online shops. Drinkology certainly has some very interesting rums and some other scarce spirits, and some things are cheaper than anywhere I have seen (like the Tanq. 10). Once again thank you for the recomendation.

Oh yes, regarding the Emile Pernot Liqueur de Violette: I cant compare it to anything alse, I can say however that it does have a distinct violet taste, without tasting like grandmothers perfume. I will be looking forward to yout review of The Bitter Truth liqueurs.

By: Jay

Jay — Mon, 04 May 2009 01:06:24 +0000

Anon - Crème de Violette is the same as violet liqueur, it's simply the French name which is commonly used. I'm afraid I've not tried the Emile Pernot Liqueur de Violette. I have tried the Bitter Truth one - I'll be doing a full review of their new liqueurs soon but in short their version is quite dry, and very subtle. My favourite is probably the G. Miclo violette which is sold at Gerry's amongst other places. As for mail order, living in London I'm lucky that I don't need to often, but I would definitely take a look at Drinkology. It's based in Germany and ran by Stephan Berg, who is one of the men behind The Bitter Truth. They have a great selection of stuff not easily available in Europe, flat-rate shipping and orders I've made have always been quick to arrive. Hope that helps.

By: anonymous drinker

anonymous drinker — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:09:05 +0000

Firstly allow me to congratulate you on a great website.

I have a question regarding the Creme de Violette. I have seen several recipies of the Aviation some calling for a Creme de Violette and some for a Violette Liqueur. My first question is if there is a difference between the two? I always assumed not, but thought I would ask just in case.

Also I have always used Liqueur de Violette from the Emile Pernot Distillery, purchased from Liqueurs de France (where I also get my absinthe). I have recently noticed that The Bitter Truth also offers a Creme de Violette. Have you tired this? And if so how does it fair in an Aviation?

Finally, as I gather you are based in Europe, as am I, and I was wondering you have any reccomendations for good online spirit shops/stores that deliver in the EU? I use TheWhiskeyExchange and TheDrinkShop which have proven good but not great (not an endorsement of any kind), for one they for example dont cary Wild Turkey Russells Reserve Rye (which I really want to try), or good Piscos, to name a few. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

By: Aleks Loesch

Aleks Loesch — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 00:06:43 +0000

I love this!

I love it love it love it!

perhaps too much!

anyway! Just wanted to point out that no one, EVER! should have one of these down Mahiki in london!

I ended up having an argument with the barkeeps about what goes in it (they claimed there should be no creme de vi… and about 2 YES 2! shots of lemon juice!

I ended up getting them to look it up in one of their “antique” cocktail books where the recepie asked for what I said!

Still didn’t make it properly….. I did get it for free though after betting with them that I was right!

By: Crispy Potluck: Cocktails dos and don’ts - Crispy on the Outside

Crispy Potluck: Cocktails dos and don’ts - Crispy on the Outside — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:46:33 +0000

[...] you’ve seen how not to make a cocktail, here’s Jacob mixing us a proper drink called an Aviation. This violet-flavored drink was awesome and we do recommend [...]

By: Perry

Perry — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:38:04 +0000

My take , and I too just got my creme de violette recently, calls for a little restraint. I’ll give ratios in a moment, but a few notes first. 1. If you are going to share an aviation recipe, name your liquors. The gin makes a huge difference as does the maraschino and creme. 2. Always adjust for your taste if you are making it for youself, this is just what I prefer. That said here is what I do…

Perry’s Aviaton
2 oz Hendricks (I typically have Beefeater on hand but had this and it worked great)
1/4 oz Luxardo maraschino
1/4 oz Rothman & Winter Creme de violette (odd note on nose but all I can find)
1/4 oz lemon juice (strained if you are in the mood)
1 dash Grapefruit bitters
Shake and strain into a chilled glass
Garnish as you like (cherry, blackberry, lemon peel, or go commando)

I haven’t gone back with these proportions to Beefeater, but imagine it will have more of a juniper punch which may not be desirable.

By: Buying Guide » Quality or Obsession?

Buying Guide » Quality or Obsession? — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 07:23:18 +0000

[...] You would probably think that after BevMo! I didn’t need to go anywhere else. But no, it didn’t even stop there. I was having trouble finding some Stroh 80 and found a lead online stating that Wally’s Wine and Spirits might have a bottle. So off I went, hoping to get there before they closed at 7:30 and wondering what else I would find there. I have to tell you, that place is amazing. Not only is their wine selection top notch (if a little pricey because they’re more a high-end specialty shop), but their spirits collection ranges from the mundane (Smirnoff anyone?) to the exotic (I finally found a bottle of Crème de Violette to make a proper Aviation!). [...]

By: cocktailnerd » Blog Archive » Spotlight On!: Best of the Blogs - August ‘07 Edition - A blog of most things cocktail and alcohol related

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 16:27:29 +0000

[...] Darcy gives a contrarian view of the ‘Aviation Cocktail’ and Jay tries the original (with Creme de Violette), and still loves it with ‘The Original Aviation’ [...]