The Aviation cocktail was created in 1916 by a New York bartender, but it’s gaining steam across the country among consumers in recent years for its balanced, pleasing taste and stunning purple color. In its most traditional form, the Aviation is a cocktail made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice, but of course bars and restaurants take liberties to make it their own, in particular using specific gins or varying the citrus they select.
The Aviation’s popularity is part of a broader trend by consumers who are looking for traditional flavor combinations, particularly if they have attractive presentations.
Market research firm Datassential reports that the Aviation is found on 1.6% of U.S. menus, up 22% over the past four years.
Click through the gallery to learn more about this Flavor of the Week and see how one restaurant is using the Aviation cocktail on its menu.