The Aviation Royale: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

The Aviation Royale is a luminous, effervescent reimagining of one of the most beloved pre-Prohibition gin cocktails. By pairing the delicate violet–cherry–citrus notes of the classic Aviation with sparkling wine, the Aviation Royale becomes something entirely new: lighter, brighter, and more celebratory, yet still anchored in old-world elegance.

This is a cocktail where 1910s Parisian perfume meets modern aperitif culture—an Art Nouveau fantasy suspended in a crown of bubbles.

I. Origins

To understand the Aviation Royale, we must begin with the Aviation itself—a cocktail with mythic status, a gorgeous lavender hue, and one of the most quietly contentious ingredient lists in pre-Prohibition history.

The Aviation: A Pre-Prohibition Jewel

The original Aviation cocktail appeared in Recipes for Mixed Drinks (1916) by Hugo Ensslin, head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York. His recipe included:

• Gin

• Lemon

• Maraschino liqueur

• Crème de Violette

The violette is what gave the drink its otherworldly pale–purple tint, reminiscent of twilight skies and early aviation romance.

When violette liqueur fell out of American production post-Prohibition, bartenders omitted it—leaving behind a pale, cloudy gin sour incorrectly labeled as the original Aviation for decades.

The Aviation’s Rebirth

The revival of Crème de Violette in the early 2000s—thanks to importers and the craft cocktail movement—restored the cocktail to its full aromatic glory. Suddenly, the drink was back in bars, its color and origin story captivating drinkers once again.

Enter the Royale Era

“Royale” cocktails have a long history in French drinking culture, especially at the turn of the 20th century. A “Royale” is traditionally formed by topping a liqueur or cocktail with Champagne or sparkling wine. The most famous examples include:

• Kir Royale

• St-Germain Royale

• Chambord Royale

As sparkling cocktails surged in modern popularity, bartenders began exploring how classic sours could be extended or brightened with bubbles.

The Aviation Royale was born from this experimentation:Take a floral, antique gin sour—and elevate it into effervescent violet elegance.

It is equal parts vintage romance and modern aperitif structure.

II. Historical Evolution

Why the Aviation Was Ripe for a Royale

Some classics resist adaptation. The Aviation, however, embraces it.

Its core flavors—violet, cherry, citrus, juniper—behave beautifully with brut sparkling wine. The bubbles lift the floral aromatics while the acidity balances sweetness.

Modern Craft Bars Reinterpret the Classic

Bars in New York, San Francisco, London, and Tokyo began experimenting with Royale-style Aviations during the 2010s cocktail renaissance. Variants appeared that:

• Reduced the violette to prevent overpowering aromatics

• Dried out the structure to complement sparkling wine

• Adjusted citrus ratios to achieve sparkling-balance acidity

• Shifted the garnish tradition from cherry to citrus twists or edible flowers

The result was a cleaner, more aperitif-forward interpretation of the original Aviation.

Global Influence

Like the French 75, the Aviation Royale soon became a go-to wedding, brunch, and celebration cocktail—floral and elegant without being overly sweet.

In Europe, especially, violet-forward cocktails resonate deeply with the botanicals of Alpine and Parisian liqueur traditions. The Aviation Royale feels both American and quintessentially French.

III. Ingredients & Technique

Creating an Aviation Royale requires restraint. Sparkling wine amplifies certain flavors and suppresses others, so precision is essential.

Key Ingredients

GinLondon Dry is traditional—citrus-heavy and crystal clear.Floral gins can be too perfumed; juniper-forward gins work beautifully.

Crème de VioletteDelicate, aromatic, lightly sweet.Use sparingly: too much violette overwhelms bubbles.

Maraschino LiqueurProvides dry cherry, almond nuance, and subtle funk.

Fresh Lemon JuiceEnhances brightness and provides acidity needed for sparkling balance.

Brut Champagne or Sparkling WineBrut or extra brut are ideal; avoid sweeter sparklers.

Technique Essentials

• Shake the base lightly—over-shaking creates unnecessary dilution.

• Add sparkling wine last, with a gentle pour.

• A coupe lends vintage charm; a flute gives a more formal look.

• Double-strain to prevent pulp from disturbing the bubbles.

The final drink should be pale lavender, effervescent, and ethereal.

IV. Cultural Significance

1. A Bridge Between Pre-Prohibition and Modern Aperitif Culture

The Aviation Royale merges two eras of cocktailing:

• Early-1900s American hotel bartending

• French sparkling aperitif tradition

It represents the global lineage of cocktails becoming increasingly interconnected.

2. The Romance of Aviation Mythology

The Aviation cocktail was named during the dawn of flight—when airplanes represented dreams, futurism, and wonder.The Royale version enhances this skyward symbolism:bubbles = ascent;violet = atmosphere.

3. A Symbol of Floral Revival

Floral liqueurs, once obscure, have returned to prominence thanks to the craft movement. The Aviation Royale is one of the most graceful expressions of this revival.

4. A Contemporary Celebratory Drink

Weddings, engagements, brunches, showers, milestone dinners—its pastel color and sparkling presence make it a natural fit.

It’s the French 75’s dreamy, lavender-tinged cousin.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Aviation Royale

Ingredients

• 1 oz (30 ml) gin (London Dry)

• ¼ oz (7 ml) Crème de Violette

• ¼ oz (7 ml) maraschino liqueur

• ½ oz (15 ml) fresh lemon juice

• 2–3 oz (60–90 ml) brut Champagne or dry sparkling wine

• Optional: Luxardo cherry or lemon twist

Method

1. Add gin, Crème de Violette, maraschino, and lemon to a shaker with ice.

2. Shake briefly (6–8 seconds).

3. Double-strain into a chilled coupe or flute.

4. Gently top with Champagne.

5. Garnish with a cherry or lemon twist.

Specs

• Glass: Coupe or flute

• Ice: None

• Garnish: Lemon twist or cherry

• Style: Sparkling floral gin sour

Technique Notes

• Too much violette muddies the drink—precision matters.

• Brut sparkling wine provides the cleanest structure.

• When in doubt: less maraschino > more.

• For a drier finish, reduce maraschino or increase lemon slightly.

Variations & Lineage

• Rosé Aviation Royale: Rosé sparkling wine for a pink-lavender tone.

• Navy Strength Royale: More assertive gin, more intensity.

• White Aviation Royale: Use white crème de violette for colorless elegance.

• Lavender Aviation Royale: Add 1–2 drops lavender tincture.

• Aviation Martini Royale: Freeze the base mixture, then top with bubbles.

Service & Pairing Tips

• Excellent with oysters, chèvre tartines, smoked trout, and floral desserts.

• Pairs beautifully with brunch and afternoon garden parties.

• Works perfectly as a toasting cocktail for weddings or celebrations.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

The Aviation Royale captures what makes cocktail culture exciting today: deep respect for the past, mixed with contemporary technique and a love for elegant drinking experiences.

Why It Endures

• It’s visually stunning without being gimmicky.

• Champagne elevates herbal and floral ingredients.

• It’s a natural extension of the Aviation’s romantic history.

• It fits seamlessly into modern aperitif culture.

A Modern Icon in the Making

Although still emerging as a contemporary classic, the Aviation Royale has quickly established itself in high-end bars and event menus.

Its legacy is one of refinement, celebration, and the elevation of a beloved pre-Prohibition cocktail into the sparkling future.