How to Make the Best Aviation Cocktail - shaken or stirred?
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- Today I'm going to show you how to make the best aviation cocktail! This pre-prohibition classic was created as an ode to the aeronautical industry. Around the time there were multiple cocktails that went by the name "aviation cocktail", but the recipe that stuck was created by Hugo Ensslin and published in 1916. This is a bright and floral gin-based cocktail that's known for the purple hue given by the crème de violette (a liqueur made from crushed violet flowers). Though this drink has citrus, over the years I have come to stir this one because it maintains a stronger shade of purple. In this video I will compare the stirred version to that of the shaken and we'll discuss the effects each has on the final outcome. Cheers!
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TIME STAMPS
Intro: 0:00
The Booze: 1:11
The Recipe: 2:58
Sips: 5:25
Color Theory: 7:05
THE AVIATION COCKTAIL RECIPE
2 oz. (60 ml) Journeyman Distillery Bilberry Black Hearts Gin
1/4 oz. (7.5 ml) Rothman and Winter Crème de Violette
1/4 oz. (7.5 ml) Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 oz. (15 ml) Fresh lemon juice
Cocktail cherry and lemon zest for garnish
THE TOOLS
My workhorse double jigger: amzn.to/3lmmKrK
My go-to large shaking tin: amzn.to/33vnMLJ
My go-to small cheater tin: amzn.to/3qecbe5
Hawthorne strainer: amzn.to/2VBUSWh
Fine mesh strainer: amzn.to/3xRaW7I
My favorite mixing glass: amzn.to/46KrrTX
Bar spoon: amzn.to/3wkkDhg
Julep strainer: amzn.to/3mymEyA
Juicer: amzn.to/3ioOwFe
Rubber bar mat (6"x12"): amzn.to/3h2IJER
The coupe: amzn.to/378o4xk
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Co-produced with the lovely Azusa "Az" Inaba 🎥 🎨
Shake or stir? (Stick around for my color theory lesson 🤓) Cheers to you and your aviation! ✈️
TIME STAMPS
Intro: 0:00
The Booze: 1:11
The Recipe: 2:58
Sips: 5:25
Color Theory: 7:05
🥂
I love a man that gets into his Multi-Tasking. Science AND Art & Cocktails Dos. That is also why Hospital scrubs are green. I adore this Channel. Thanks for being here.
what about shaking all but the violet liqueur and then add it at the end with a gentle little stir?
@@mathieucelary246 thats what i thought too
Hello, in Italy we pronunce Maraskino🇮🇹👋🍸
Thoughts on using empress 1908 gin? would really add to the purple color. I'm not sure how that would work flavor wise.
As a 25 year barman, I build mine by placing the crime de violet in the chilled coupe and pouring the shaken cocktail over it. Maintaining the bright color and saving time.
I just recently discovered this cocktail when the wife and I went out for our anniversary. It was shaken. I know because it was cloudy. Tasted good, good enough that I bought some Creme De Violette for our home bar. I searched for recipes and found this video. I’ve been stirring them at home but I had a similar thought as yours. The weather here has been hot and we’ve been on a Daiquiri kick but I’m going to try your method on the next aviation I make.
That makes sense
Crème*
@@hafidatoubani4712 good grief
That's what I was thinking.
Truth be told, I’ve been stirring my Aviations for a long time precisely for the same reason. In fact, I used to bartend at a bar in FL and I was taught to do it stirred. Clearly the color is far more vivid stirred, but the flavors are more pronounced.
When shaken it’s almost as if everything blends in so well that it’s difficult to distinguish the different types of booze. When stirred one is almost like layers that allow the different types of booze to be tasted.
The Aviation is my favorite cocktail and truth be told I’ve never had a bad one. That being said I do prefer it stirred.
You're by far my favourite bartender on CZcams or anywhere else. You just seem really nice, and every recipe of yours I've ever copied is always better than every other recipe I've tried. You just understand flavours and balance well.
Thank you, Josh! It means so much to hear that. Cheers to you and many more good drinks!
Agreed, Josh, and in this difficult time, as we all navigate a pandemic (I'm a psychologist so I have never had such a rush of people to help, with massive anxiety and stress) someone who is clearly very nice, is a treasure to watch, and learn from. Very calming!
@@christinecamley That's great to hear, I think hobbies like having a little home bar and things like that can help keep people busy during these crazy times. I'm sure you are super busy with clientele, but I'm glad there are people like you ready and willing to help.
@@JoshChristiane Hi Josh!! Thanks so much for the kind reply! It means a lot!! Hobbies can make such a big difference in coping in tough times. Being able to follow along, learn, and connect with others, makes things feel more normal - I hate that word - but you know what I mean! I love my work! Be well!! Much care!!
Same - really enjoying going through the entire catalog!
I’ve been a bartender for 12 years and just found your channel today. It’s a slow, snowy lunch shift on a Monday and your channel is exactly what I need. You’re great.
Have been on a cocktail journey led by you. Each week I am trying a new one from your videos and the family and friend all get to try. Had the Aviation a few weeks ago, stirred and it was excellent. Very high ratings from the crowd. Thanks for the tips and tricks, leading to great sips!
This is my absolute favorite cocktail. It seems to forge a new 'compound' from the ingredients. I've switched out the gin many ways and it always works and delivers a slightly different, but always agreeable, cocktail. Unfortunately, it's a home brew because I find most bars either don't have the ingredients or don't know how to make it. [I was impressed with Anders' ability to both shake and stir at the same time. That's talent.]
New favorite CZcams channel, you the man Anders!!
The Aviation is perhaps my all time favorite cocktail. I try to always use Empress 1908 Gin for two reasons. First and foremost, its one of my favorites Gins, so hey why not use it for one of my favorite cocktails? But also, the Empress 1908 Gin has this fantastic violet color. I think this makes up for the color loss when shaking the cocktail and allow you to still aerate the fresh citrus. On occasion, I will also add a dash of St. Germain liqueur so enhance the floral vibes of the Violette and the Empress (which is a very floral gin)
Hey that just sounds like the "Bella Luna" then! Could you please post your measurements here on how much ml you use? Thank you! 🥂
Ya I was thinking of the same, using Empress and some light St Germain to keep the color and add floral complexity!
Anders you are fantastic, so engaging! I'm glad I came across your channel-- I have a love for drinking cocktails but more recently for learning to make them. You have a new subscriber and hopefully one day a customer at your bar!
Love your videos and thanks for explaining the ingredients thoroughly. A lot of guys on CZcams assume that we know exactly what the ingredients are and I end up exiting to google to figure out what they are since im pretty new at making cocktails.
I was sent here from a slightly more buttoned up Anders Erickson in his "3 cocktail recipes to try this spring!" video. This looks like a promising channel! ;-)
This is still my favorite drink you've put out and what got me hooked on the channel. It's also the reason I can drink gin. Thank you again and keep them coming.
Love how you did both at the same time and explored the difference. Awesome!
Thank you! Cheers!
Talk about chewing gum while you walk! I was impressed!
I got this when I went out one night that had a dash of lavender bitters and it took this cocktail to another level. I'll never make this cocktail without it again.
I have found the best way is to dry shake everything apart from the creme de violet and single strain into a mixing glass containing ice and creme de violet. Then just a matter of stirring. this way it gets aerated, keeps its colour and has no problems with double dilution.
Reallllyy interesting take
What a great idea for a video (same cocktail shaken vs stirred) and awesome multitasking! 👍
I chose stirred and started with a Luxardo cherry at the bottom in a bsp pool of it’s own syrup and poured the cocktail carefully onto the cherry so as not to disturb the ‘red dawn’ effect. In a flared martini glass this was absolute heaven or highway to the danger zone, depending on your altitude. Thank you Anders, thank you Az. 💜
This is the video that has inspired me to attempt to make more cocktails. So I made this one, and Oh my! This is good. Thank you.
Underrated channel. Love it.
One of my fave cocktails. Love your channel.
Anders, love your videos. great cocktail!!
We made this to celebrate England's 2-1 win over Denmark in Euro 2021, just an excuse as I have been looking for one to make this since I bought all the ingredients. Delicious, a great balance between sweet and sour. I used Pennsylvania Blue Coat gin a local gin from Phoenixville PA. I did stir it and love the color. Great drink, will be finding many excuses to make this again.
Just made this. Had 2. Feeling fantastic
Love Ur channel! Very interesting and fun. Congrats!!!
I love a great Aviation. I can't wait to try your version tonight
Ok this was so awesome!!!!!
One of my favorite gin cocktails! Flying high after another great video and drink suggestion for tonight!
Thanks, Lindsay! A fine drink for a warm Friday evening. Cheers!
Just learned this cocktail and this video was awesome and insightful!! THANKS!
Very interesting results, I may stir up an Aviation now
Made this last night for guests in smoky Tahoe. The perfect drink for the occasion. BTW, I’ve been stocking my cabinet with all the brands you show for various drinks. If they’re not paying you, they should!
My favorite one is served at my husband’s restaurant in Atlanta during the fall/winter…it replaces the maraschino with St. George spiced pear, I believe it is stirred, and it’s served in a lowball glass on a big ice cube. That’s how I make them now!
The aeration brings the aroma more to the nose and the olfactory aspects change the flavor even though the ingredients agree identical. Nice vid
“We’re gonna shake and stir at the same time” Ho-ho! Look at mister ‘Walk and Chew Gum’ over here!
More like pat your head and rub your stomach. Bartender skills at 11 on this chap.
Very good to know! Just shook mine and now I’ll be stirring!
I just made my first aviation and couldn't understand how I lost the purple hue. Your answer was brilliant. I never expected color theory here. Thanks so much.
Great video! I’ve never tried stirring the cocktail. Now i need to try both side by side! Well done! Cheers!!
Thanks, Rob! It was a fun side-by-side taste test!
Nice. This is such a good drink. It survived the test of time for a reason.
Cheers!
Agreed! Glad this one stuck around.
Thank you for doing a side by side. I feel like with stirring it would also be easier to control dilution.
Nice work. Really enjoy your presentation. I'm just learning for home bar pleasure.
I just double up on the creme de violet. I love the flavor of it.
Shaking it helps with the entropy in the cocktail since the composition of the juice is so different than the liquors and spirit. If you clarify the lemon juice and then shake, you might conserve the color and perhaps balance the flavor without changing proportions. I will try this at my bar. Awesome channel! Love all your videos.
I had two aviations at two different high-end cocktail bars - both very different. At home I realized I like 1/2 oz of the violette otherwise I get too much maraschino. Fun to play around with builds!
It's always five o clock in your vids, it's my new time for shaking
The Aviation is one of my favorite cocktails…I stir ! It’s delicious ! It’s beautiful !
Ill be running a marathon watch of your channel. I am way into how you explain coctails, history and all the goodies of bartending.
I honestly did the same when I cam across this channel. You're in for a treat
Anders, love the videos. Not sure where you live, but if you are able to procure some Empress gin, it will enable you to shake the cocktail, and not lose the colour you're looking for. The gin is made in Victoria, BC and contains butterfly pea blossom (among other things) that give it a natural purple colour - and it tastes incredible.
Love you're channel.
I've done this comparison with these two versions of an Aviation many times at many bars. What I've found is most bar patrons prefer the shaken version. It's more refreshing, less floral and the balance just seems better between all those disparate flavors. The stirred version also
On a personal level I love the grayish purple hue achieved by shaking. Reminds me of foggy autumnal mornings.
there seems to also be a lot of people that associate floral with soap because they use floral smelling soap.
Having tried both I can’t decide cause as a cocktail it works really well shaken. But for personal preference I like the depth you get when the spirits aren’t bruised to fuck. You drink it slower and get to really taste a lot of the drink.
I think you can’t rly decide a winner here. It’s always gonna be down to whatever your favourite is.
The aviation is my favorite cocktail and I will be stirring for brunch this weekend
I'm a newbie to mixing drinks. Fell for the Creme de Violette at Sardi's. This was awesome!
ANDERS!!!! Great video!!! Now I can see why YT recommended this video. I've never had this cocktail, and I must try this ASAP!!! I love the side by side. I Will be stirring mine btw... CHEERS!!!!
Excellent, Tim! Hope you enjoy this one - cheers!!
I love Empress gin, lime juice, rosemary simple syrup shaken. Add a sprig of Rosemary 💜
Gotta stir!! Who wants a gray drink! Kinda dig you were an art major! Specialization? And ahhummm- would love a lions tail recipe!!! 😊😊😊💜
Hang tight! We’re getting into perfect lion’s tail season 👌 As for my specialization in school... printmaking!😊
What’s to stop you from shaking everything but the Creme de Violette and then adding to mixing glass and stirring in the Violette? It’s an extra step but this could be the best of both worlds. 🧐
You bring up a good point. I’d certainly give it a shot. I don’t know how the flavor of the creme de violette would incorporate when added after dilution, but it could be the answer. Maybe splitting up the creme de violette and shaking half while stirring in the other half after dilution. Appreciate the comment!
@@AndersErickson Is there any reason you couldn't just do a dry shake before transferring everything to the mixing glass?
@@stovex0r i think the big problem here is the aeration, not just the dilution. If you add a non aerated creme de Violette to the shaken drink it may be dense enough to sink? Idk, just brainstorming
**Said the voice of common sense!!
@@0cramoi Shake the creme de violette
There's a gin that uses Butterfly Pea Blossom as one of its botanicals it lends a great indigo/violet hue to really bolster the Crème de Violette in the cocktail. But I'm sure I'm not the only person to have suggested that.
Thanks for this video, which I ran across about a month after it came out. Not that anyone cares, but my personal preference is to use half the amount of creme de violette and twice the amount of maraschino liqueur (and I also prefer lime juice to lemon juice). The result doesn't look very purple but instead looks like what you see out the window of a plane when flying through clouds. The result also deemphasizes the creme de violette, which is an improvement as far as I'm concerned.
Loved this. Stirred citrus duly noted.
Will stir one tonight - nice
Love your channel! Do u have a video on a blue cheese olive martini?
Love your videos Anders!
I’m having a hard time finding Creme de Violette where I am but I found a Violette syrup that supposedly works as well.
Would you have a suggestion on how to adjust the recipe for a syrup vs liquor?
I just made an aviation slushy with empress indigo gin. It's delicious and very purple :)
If you use The Bitter Truth Violet Liqueur it will make it it’s intended Sky Blue hue that was probably originally intended by Enslin. In my recipe I only use a barspoon and a half so as not to impart the dreaded hand soap taste to the cocktail. I also do a barspoon of simple syrup to boost up the drink since Luxardo finishes dry. This is my favorite cocktail
Damn, that looks good!
I have had Aviations at bars that I’ve really enjoyed, but struggled to find the ratios that I like to make my own. I’m definitely going to try this recipe, I like that it has less maraschino than I’ve used before.
Florality?
Nicely done. With your demonstration I'm on team stirred.
That works! Although I know how you are with citrus, and it is brighter in the stored version. I found both to be rather tasty.
The picture of the cocktail in the thumbnail looks beautiful.
Thanks! This drink is such a beautiful color.
I actually shake everything but the violet liqueur, strain, and add the violet liqueur while stirring with a swizzle. It's a beautiful presentation.
Wow! Loved your video! I love my Aviations. Think it's my favorite cocktail. I shall try it stirred and see what I think. Maybe I'll be James Bond -- "shaken, not stirred"! Thanks for your suggestion!
You really should get a worldwide commission deal. Yesterday, I walked into the only bottle shop near my office - something I’ve never done before - and incredibly, they had Creme de Violette. A rare find in NZ. Guess what cocktail we had last night? Stirred, as you suggest. Amazing colour. And certainly better than my previous effort to create purple by adding Blue curaçao and Chambord...!
I'm so glad you gave the aviation a try! It's so much fun discovering a new ingredient or drink, and I admire your creativity with creating a purple drink using blue curaçao and Chambord! Cheers to you, Patrick - thanks for the comment!
One of the most amazing gins I've ever had - can't get it here in Tennessee, have to have friends bootleg it in from Illinois.
Im gonna try this
Definitely going the stirring route
hey man love your channel and vids, I see myself going back to cocktails again hahaha been more wine and chamoagnes/spumante/prosecco....
one variation ive found, is shake everything, and then add the violet, you get that hue still, and the citrus has been well shaken....also maybe try empress gin, I love the indigo color of that one, and its so smooth, my favorite gin is monkey 47, though, which adds some more flavorful gin to the indigo empress, and maybe the indigo may help keep the purple color after shaking?
Use empress 1908 from Canada for your gin. It’s purple in hue!
Great video. I wonder if temperature has anything to do with the different color though.
Great vid, thanks! So stirred Aviation is basically peaceful cohabitation of different groups in their own ancestral places, and shaken Aviation is the Kalergi Plan. Think I'll go for stirred.
I use Tempus Fugit for the creme de violette and Empress Indigo for the gin, and you get a super vibrant pink on the color.
This is my favorite drink. Best with Hendrick's 💜
No doubt this has to be stirred. Thanks, Anders!
I tend to create a hybrid of shaken and stirred… I shake the maraschino, gin, and lemon and strain/pour it over the Creme Violet in the coup with the cherry… this causes the violet to mix in but not be bruised with the other flavours… and the bouquet remains floral but the notes are citrus and the herbal from the gin (especially Uncle Vals).
Hi Anders! We are fairly new to your channel but have already learned so much! Aviation is one of my fiancés favorite drink. When we make it home, it separates for some reason towards the last half of the drink. Any tips on how to avoid this?
Thanks for comparing...
My favorite
Ok, it’s CRAZY how different they taste side-by-side. I absolutely prefer the stirred one now. This was amazing, thank you for doing this!
I'm glad you tried the side-by-side! It's incredible how different the results are from shaking vs stirring a cocktail. Happy you found it helpful! Cheers!
I’ve been making Aviations for about 15 years now. At first the creme de violette was hard find so I omitted it. But it was my holy grail to make the complete version so eventually I tracked some down. I discovered that although the purplish color was pleasant I found the flavor to be disagreeably reminiscent of soap. So over time I used less and less of the creme de violette until finally I didn’t really see the point of it at all. As for shaken vs stirred… I like that the shaken version makes the drink look like a cloud thus playing up the aviation aspect and since I’ve mostly given the creme de violette the boot nothing is lost by shaking. I’ve been using Aviation Gin and been pretty happy with it but would be interested in trying the Journeyman Gin used in the video.
Just a bar spoon of creme does the trick
thank you.
Now I know why my aviation turns out grey. I'm going to stir my next one and see. Definitely one of my favorite gin drinks
I always called this the dirty dishwater cocktail. Tastes delicious though. Will try it stirred next time.
I'm definitely making this drink I freaking love gin but I don't know a lot of creative ways to use it other then the basic gin and tonic
I think you'll love this one! This is a good start for exploring gin cocktails. Cheers!
i love you videos
Between dry January and winter weather, I’ve not made an Aviation in a while, so I watched this as a refresher (I prefer to stir). What I would like to know is the background music used for this video. Lends a nice laid-back vibe to a cocktail hour.
I've been shaking aviations for a while now (exact same recipe, by coincidence) and have found that bumping up the creme de violette just makes it cloying and syrupy, even if you adjust the maraschino to compensate. Guess I'll try stirring!
Why not do a little of both? You could omit the Violette till after the shake, and pour to your mixing glass, add the Violette, then stir. This may get the color you are looking for as well as round out the citrus.
Came here to say exactly this.
I tried this by shaking everything but the violette super quickly to limit the dilution but still aerate/incorporate the lemon juice before then transferring to a mixing glass and stirring the violette in. I find it maintains the color and strength of flavor without having the lemon juice come across too "sharp". The tough part is not watering it down with this method too much so you have to act quickly.
I’ve seen you wear this shirt in a few videos and it always looks so sharp! What brand is this?🤔
Lol my fav moment of the vid 2:54 😂😂👍🏾👍🏾
I'd like to make a point that I appreciate it always being 5 o'clock at your place.
It would be a bit tedious but interesting to try shaking all ingredients besides the violet, then stirring it in at the end. Maybe best of both worlds?
This is an amazing cocktail. Stirred.
New to your content but have been enjoying it very much. Sorry if this has been covered already, but is your wall clock perpetually set at 5pm [cause it’s 5 o’clock somewhere, and that somewhere is here]?
Exactly 👍
I've had great Results with shaking it before adding the violet.
Strain into the mixing glass and add the violet.