The Aviation Royale Cocktail Recipe

There’s just something about giving a classic drink a little twist, right? The Aviation Royale does exactly that. It takes the floral charm of the original Aviation cocktail and adds the sparkle of champagne—suddenly, you’ve got a smooth, uplifting sip that feels both familiar and new.

You’ll see how easy it is to make this balanced, refreshing drink at home with just a few ingredients and some basic tools.

You don’t need to be a pro bartender for this one. With the right gear, a few clear steps, and a couple of tips, you’ll be mixing a cocktail that looks and tastes impressive.

Let’s walk through everything from the tools to the final sip, so you can pour with confidence and just enjoy the process.

The Aviation Royale Cocktail Recipe

I love mixing classic drinks, and honestly, the Aviation Royale is up there for me. It takes the old-school aviation cocktail and gives it a sparkling twist—perfect for a celebration, or just when you want something a little special at home.

This drink brings together floral, citrus, and bubbly notes. The end result? Light, refreshing, and honestly, it looks as good as it tastes.

Equipment:

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Coupe or flute glass

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz gin
• ½ oz crème de violette
• ¼ oz maraschino liqueur
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• 2 oz chilled sparkling wine
• Ice cubes
• Lemon twist or cherry for garnish

Instructions:

• Fill your shaker with ice.
• Add gin, crème de violette, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice.
• Shake well until it’s nice and cold.
• Strain into a chilled glass.
• Top with sparkling wine.
• Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry.

The bubbles really lift the floral scent of the crème de violette. Gin gives it structure, and lemon brings in that brightness I crave.

Each sip feels crisp and balanced—not too sweet, not too sharp.

Equipment

I like to keep my bar setup pretty simple. The right tools make mixing the Aviation Royale smooth and, honestly, a lot more fun.

Here’s what I reach for when making this cocktail:

• Cocktail shaker – I go for a metal shaker because it chills the drink quickly.
• Strainer – Helps me pour without those annoying ice chips.
• Jigger – I measure everything to keep the flavor just right.
• Bar spoon – Handy for a gentle stir if I need it.
• Fine mesh strainer – Double straining makes the drink silky.
• Martini glass – I like serving the Aviation Royale in a chilled martini glass.
• Citrus peeler or zester – Makes it easy to whip up a quick garnish.

I usually keep a small towel nearby to wipe up spills and keep things tidy. Clean tools really do make a difference in how your drink turns out.

Ingredients

When I make an Aviation Royale, I stick with ingredients that are easy to find but still feel a little special.

Here’s what I grab:

• 2 oz London Dry Gin (I usually pick Bombay Sapphire—it’s smooth and reliable)
• ½ oz Maraschino Liqueur
• ½ oz Crème de Violette (sometimes it’s labeled creme de violette, so keep an eye out)
• ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1 Maraschino Cherry for garnish

I always squeeze the lemon juice fresh—it just tastes brighter. The combo of floral crème de violette and tart lemon is what makes this cocktail clean and refreshing.

That maraschino cherry at the end? It adds a pop of color and a little sweetness. I usually drop it in right before serving.

Instructions

I like to get my setup ready before mixing. It just makes everything go smoother.

Equipment:

• Cocktail shaker
• Strainer
• Jigger
• Coupe or martini glass

First, I chill the glass by filling it with ice water while I prep the drink. It keeps the cocktail crisp and cold.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz gin
• ½ oz crème de violette
• ¼ oz maraschino liqueur
• ½ oz fresh lemon juice
• 2 oz chilled sparkling wine
• Ice cubes
• Lemon twist or cherry (for garnish)

Steps:

• I fill my shaker with ice.
• I pour in the gin, crème de violette, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice.
• I shake it hard for about 15 seconds, until the shaker gets frosty.
• I dump the ice water from my glass and strain the mixture in.
• I top it off with sparkling wine.
• I give it a gentle stir, once or twice.
• I pop a lemon twist or cherry on top.

I serve it right away, while it’s still cold and bubbly.

Notes

I keep my tools simple for this drink. The right equipment keeps the flavors clean and balanced.

Equipment:

• Cocktail shaker
• Fine strainer
• Coupe or flute glass
• Jigger

Fresh ingredients make a big difference. I skip bottled juice or old liqueurs because they just don’t taste as good.

Ingredients:

• Fresh lemon juice
• Quality gin
• Crème de violette
• Maraschino liqueur
• Chilled sparkling wine

I shake the base ingredients first, then pour in the sparkling wine to keep those bubbles alive. Pouring gently keeps the drink bright and clear.

Instructions:

• Add gin, lemon juice, crème de violette, and maraschino liqueur to a shaker with ice.
• Shake for around 10 seconds.
• Strain into a chilled glass.
• Top with sparkling wine.
• Garnish with a cherry or lemon twist.

When I taste it, I get those floral notes from the violet and a light tartness from the lemon. The sparkling wine softens everything and leaves a crisp finish.

If it tastes too sweet, I’ll add a bit more lemon juice. Want it softer? I just use a little less maraschino. Small tweaks make it easy to dial in the cocktail to my taste.

Tasting Notes

Right away, the Aviation Royale gives off a light, floral aroma. I catch hints of violets mixed with fresh citrus—honestly, it’s clean and pleasant, not too intense.

When I take a sip, I get a gentle sweetness and those floral notes first, then a subtle tartness creeps in. The gin and crème de violette come together for a smooth, balanced flavor. Lemon peeks through just enough to brighten things up, but it doesn’t steal the show.

The texture surprises me—it’s both silky and crisp somehow. Those bubbles from the sparkling wine really lift the flavors, making each sip feel extra refreshing.

I notice the floral notes hang around for a moment before quietly fading. Personally, I think it goes well with light snacks or maybe some fruit.

Honestly, the color and aroma make it just as nice to look at as to taste. It’s simple, elegant, and honestly, just easy to enjoy.