The Aviation, a classic cocktail that soared into the hearts of gin lovers with its azure allure, is a concoction where your gin choice can alter the experience from merely good to first-class.
Originating from the 1920s, the Aviation cocktail blends gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice, creating a sky-like hue as inviting as the open air.
For me, the best gin for an Aviation is one that’s slightly juniper forward with balanced botanicals, offering clarity and complexity so it can complement the flavours of its co-passenger ingredients.
Best Gins for an Aviation Cocktail
My carefully curated list of the best gins for an Aviation cocktail will ensure your creation reaches new heights of flavour and sophistication.
1. Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Silent Pool
- ABV: 43% (86 Proof)
- Country: UK
- Colour: Clear
Review
Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin is a delicate harmony of rare citrus fruits and traditional botanicals, creating a refreshing and complex spirit that’s as smooth as silk.
Why In An Aviation?
I feel that the unusual citrus notes plus the refreshingly clean juniper forward of Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin elevate the Aviation’s brightness, offering a crisp, smooth, sophisticated edge.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
2. Ophir Black Lemon Gin
Overview
- Distiller: G&J Distillery
- ABV: 43% (86 Proof)
- Country: UK
- Colour: Clear
Review
Inspired by the ancient Spice Route, this Black Lemon Gin from Opihr is a delicate juniper-forward gin featuring a zesty undercurrent of black lemon with exotic botanicals such as timut peppers.
Why In An Aviation?
Its bold dance of earthy spices and a subtle citrus zest undercurrent cuts through, adding depth and a global twist to the classic Aviation.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
3. Jawbox Classic Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Jawbox
- ABV: 34% (86 Proof)
- Country: Ireland
- Colour: Clear
Review
Jawbox Classic Dry Gin celebrates traditional distilling with its triple-distilled process, featuring local botanicals like Belfast Black Mountain heather for a truly authentic taste.
Why In An Aviation?
Its clean floral and juniper-forward aroma profile make me prefer this gin with an added backbone for a balanced Aviation, supporting without overpowering.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
4. Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Hayman’s
- ABV: 41.4% (82.8 Proof)
- Country: UK
- Colour: Clear
Review
Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, a sweeter take on the traditional London Dry, harks back to the 19th century with its botanical-rich formula and slight sweetness.
Why In An Aviation?
The gentle sweetness followed by a peppery botanical medley complements the Aviation’s floral notes, offering a velvety, nostalgic sip with a vintage twist.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
5. Tanqueray No. 10 Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Diago
- ABV: 47.3% (94.6 Proof)
- Country: UK
- Colour: Clear
Review
Tanqueray No. 10 Gin is crafted with fresh citrus fruits and botanicals in a small batch, offering a bright, refined, unmistakably premium taste.
Why In An Aviation?
Admittedly I am a Tanqueray fanboy, but the zesty citrus delivery of Tanqueray No. 10 Gin followed by smooth botanicals, including angelica and liquorice, enhances the Aviation, adding clean citrus luxury.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
6. Plymouth Navy Strength Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Plymouth Gin
- ABV: 57% (114 Proof)
- Country: UK
- Colour: Clear
Review
Plymouth Gin has this Navy Strength edition, with higher alcohol content and a botanical blend of orris, coriander and angelica to ensure a robust flavour profile that’s as strong as it is smooth.
Why In An Aviation?
Its strength with a bold juniper presence and complex layers brings a potent dynamism to your Aviation cocktail, perfect for those who appreciate a stronger sip.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
7. Beefeater 24 Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Beefeater
- ABV: 45% (90 Proof)
- Country: UK
- Colour: Clear
Review
Beefeater 24 Gin is steeped with 12 botanicals, including rare Japanese Sencha and Chinese green teas that I find add an exotic twist for a unique, aromatic and sophisticated flavour profile.
Why In An Aviation?
The floral and green tea elements introduce an unexpected, refreshing layer to Aviation, making it intriguingly sophisticated and offering an Eastern twist.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
8. Caorunn Highland Strength Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Caorunn
- ABV: 54% (108 Proof)
- Country: Scotland
- Colour: Clear
Review
Caorunn launched this Highland Strength Gin, at a powerful 54% ABV, is infused with five Celtic botanicals, offering a crisp, aromatic taste as pure as the Scottish Highlands.
Why In An Aviation?
For me, its strength, crisp juniper, apple-forward profile, and peppery herbal botanicals add a bolder dimension to Aviation, enhancing its complexity.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
9. Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Overview
- Distiller: Sipsmith
- ABV: 41.6% (83.2 Proof)
- Country: UK
- Colour: Clear
Review
Sipsmith London Dry Gin is handcrafted in small batches, featuring a traditional recipe with a modern twist. Its balanced botanicals offer a quintessentially smooth London Dry experience if you ask me.
Why In An Aviation?
Its balanced profile of juniper, citrus, and botanicals of orris, liquorice and angelica make Sipsmith London Dry Gin impeccable, ensuring a classic yet distinctive Aviation taste experience.
Pricing & Info
You can check the latest pricing, product information, and order online.
Andrew’s Top Pick
Ophir Black Lemon Gin
My top pick overall gin for an Aviation cocktail is Ophir Black Lemon Gin because the exotic black lemon and delicate Timut peppers add a new dimension that compliments Maraschino Liqueur of the Aviation.
The Aviation Cocktail
Ah, the Aviation, a classic gin cocktail from the 1920s that blends gin with crème de violette, maraschino liqueur, and a splash of lemon juice for a cocktail with the hue of the perfect sky.
Aviation Ingredients
- 2 oz or 60 ml of London Dry Gin
- 1/2 oz or 15 ml Maraschino Liqueur
- 1/2 oz or 15 ml Crème de Violette
- 3/4 oz or 20 ml Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- Ice Cubes
- Cherry or Lemon Twist (for garnish)
Our Aviation Recipe
Check out our incredible Aviation cocktail recipe below:
Conclusion
In the quest for the best Gins for an Aviation cocktail, it’s clear that the spirit of adventure and a keen palate can uncover a world of flavours.
Each gin I have carefully selected brings its own unique character to the Aviation, transforming a simple cocktail into a symphony of taste.
Whether you prefer the bold and spicy Ophir, the smooth and citrusy Sipsmith, or the complex Beefeater 24, there’s a gin here that will elevate your Aviation to new heights.
So, here’s to finding your perfect gin companion and to the flights of fancy it will surely inspire.
Also Read: Discover the Best Beefeater Gins of 2024: Expert Reviews & Tastings
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
