I just had my first Aviation. It’s a classic gin cocktail, one of the current bar darlings, so I suppose I should have ordered one well before now. That said, it’s not really my fault. One of the drink’s essential ingredients, crème de violette, only found its way back to our shores a year or two ago, and it’s still hard to buy in Kansas City (Gomer’s on Holmes had one bottle left yesterday, $22.49). According to Dale DeGroff’s The Essential Cocktail, the first published recipe for the Aviation appeared in 1916. This version from the Rothman & Winter web site calls for 1-1/2 ounce dry gin, 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice, 1/2 ounce Rothman & Winter crème de violette, 1 teaspoon Maraschino (Luxardo is the brand to use). Stir with ice, strain and serve up. If you don’t want to make your own, try one at R Bar, in the West Bottoms. It’s about time.
