The History of the Aviation Cocktail
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- 4 min read
Published: 3 April 2026
Written by: Sam Carter – Senior Bombay Sapphire Brand Ambassador
The Aviation cocktail is a classic drink whose story mirrors the evolution of modern mixology, rising to popularity in the early 20th century, fading into obscurity, and ultimately enjoying a revival among contemporary cocktail enthusiasts.
The Aviation cocktail is a classic drink whose story mirrors the evolution of modern mixology itself, rising to popularity in the early 20th century, fading into obscurity, and eventually enjoying a revival among contemporary cocktail enthusiasts.
The Aviation was created during the golden age of cocktails, a period spanning the late 19th century through Prohibition. Its origin is most commonly attributed to Hugo Ensslin, head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York City at the time. The first known printed recipe appears in Ensslin’s 1916 book Recipes for Mixed Drinks.
The original formulation combined gin, fresh lemon juice, Maraschino cherry liqueur, and Crème de Violette, a violet-flavoured liqueur that lends the drink its pale sky-blue hue. The name “Aviation” was inspired by the era’s fascination with flight, as aeroplanes were capturing the public imagination and symbolising progress and sophistication.
However, the cocktail’s fortunes changed dramatically in the decades that followed. The publication of The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock in 1930 omitted Crème de Violette from the recipe, calling only for gin, Maraschino liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. This alteration may have been practical rather than creative, as Crème de Violette had become difficult to obtain, particularly in the United States, where Prohibition restricted alcohol production and importation.
Without its defining ingredient, the Aviation cocktail lost both its distinctive colour and much of its aromatic floral complexity.
As Crème de Violette gradually disappeared from bars, the Aviation cocktail itself slipped into obscurity. By the mid-20th century, it was rarely ordered and often forgotten, mentioned mainly in old cocktail books rather than on modern menus. For decades, bartenders knew the drink primarily through the simplified Savoy version, if they knew it at all.
The Aviation’s revival began in the early 2000s alongside the craft cocktail movement. As bartenders sought to rediscover pre-Prohibition recipes, interest in lost ingredients surged. European producers once again began exporting Crème de Violette, and American distillers soon followed with domestic versions. With the original recipe restored, the Aviation cocktail regained its visual elegance and floral subtlety.
Today, the Aviation stands as both a historical artefact and a living cocktail. It represents the romance of early aviation, the creativity of classic bartending, and the power of revival in modern cocktail culture. Whether served in its original form or adapted with contemporary twists, the Aviation continues to soar, just as its name suggests.
Sam Carter, Senior Brand Ambassador for Bombay Sapphire Gin, is based at the brand’s global home and production facility in rural Hampshire, UK. Here, visitors can discover what makes Bombay Sapphire unique, including its distinctive vapour infusion distillation process. The Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill is where every drop of Bombay Sapphire is crafted before being enjoyed around the world.
An avid fan of the classic Aviation, Sam enjoys showcasing this elegant cocktail using Bombay Sapphire Gin. Readers can explore the recipe below and try making one at home. Alternatively, Sam has offered Brookfield Aviation readers an exclusive 10% discount on both the Bombay Sapphire Distillery Tour and Gin Cocktail Masterclass at Laverstoke Mill using the code Aviation10, valid until the end of 2026.
Bombay Sapphire Aviation Cocktail
Ingredients:
50ml Bombay Sapphire Gin
15ml Luxardo Maraschino (clear cherry liqueur)
15ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
3 dashes The Bitter Truth Crème de Violette
Method:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with cubed ice
Shake well for 8–10 seconds
Fine strain into a pre-chilled martini glass
Garnish by expressing lemon peel oils over the drink, discard peel, and add a Maraschino cherry
Please enjoy responsibly
Visit here to book the Bombay Sapphire Distillery Tour or Gin Cocktail Masterclass and enjoy 10% off adult tickets using code Aviation10 (valid until 31/12/2026).
The Aviation cocktail reflects aviation history beyond aircraft, capturing the spirit of innovation, elegance, and cultural influence tied to the early days of flight. From its origins in 1916 to its modern revival, it remains a symbol of how aviation has shaped not only travel, but global lifestyle and experience.
Key Facts
The Aviation cocktail was first published in 1916 by Hugo Ensslin in Recipes for Mixed Drinks
The original recipe includes gin, lemon juice, Maraschino liqueur, and Crème de Violette
The cocktail lost popularity after Crème de Violette was removed in the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book
It was revived in the early 2000s during the craft cocktail movement
The name “Aviation” reflects early 20th-century fascination with flight and innovation
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Author: Sam Carter – Senior Bombay Sapphire Brand Ambassador
