If there’s one kind of history lesson we like, it’s the gin-based one. Especially if comes in the form of a beverage-based salute to the pioneers of that impressive feat called flight. The luxuriously purple-hued and violet-imbued Aviation cocktail is a century-old nod to those early aviation mavericks and it just so happens to be a favourite of ours. To celebrate it, we paired that sophisticated violet with delicate lavender and deliciously acidic apples for an elegant and floral London dry gin. So now that we’ve given you such a mouth-watering chronicle, how about an apple for the teacher?
Signature Serve:
Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic with a sprig of rosemary.
Aviation
If we were to ask you to name people synonymous with the word ‘aviation’ odds are the Wright brothers would probably feature. These days Ryan Reynolds would potentially get a mention too. Well we’d like you to turn to the chapter on Hugo R. Ensslin. Bartender at New York’s Hotel Wallick in the early 1900’s, Ensslin is credited with the creation of the Aviation cocktail in those initial aeronautical years. So named because of its pale sky blue colouring, this is a beverage which is sour, sweet and delightfully floral - and the inspiration behind our Apple & Violet gin itself.
INGREDIENTS:
60ML APPLE & VIOLET GIN
15ML MARASCHINO LIQUEUR
12.5ML LEMON JUICE
5ML CRÈME DE VIOLETTE
NO GARNISH
METHOD:
1. Add all ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
2. Shake well.
3. Double strain into a chilled coupette.
4. Garnish.
Bramble
Not everything which came out of the mid-80’s deserves to be given repeated air-time. Top Gun certainly does though. As does the Bramble. Created by legendary British bartender Dick Bradsell, the Bramble is a cocktail which could easily be overlooked for its simplicity, but trust us, it’s perfectly sweet, sharp and tasty - not to mention aesthetically pleasing. Our Apple & Violet lends a soft floral note to this modern classic, and gives it a new kind of lift.
INGREDIENTS:
60ML APPLE & VIOLET GIN
20ML LEMON JUICE
20ML SUGAR SYRUP
10ML CHAMBORD
GARNISH: BLACKBERRIES AND MINT
METHOD:
1. Fill an old fashioned glass with crushed ice.
2. Add all ingredients except Chambord to an ice-filled cocktail shaker.
3. Shake well and strain into glass.
4. Drizzle Chambord over top and garnish.