Aviation Week 2013, saluting holiday travelers

Let us start this week-long tribute to those marvelous women and men in their flying machines (and to those of us about to fly for the holidays) with this aptly named variation on a gin sour: the Aviation. The drink was created in New York City in the early 20th Century as a tribute to the fledgling world of flight. Pleasantly tart with intriguing notes from the Maraschino and Creme de Violette; the latter is added last and builds a lovely graduated purple layer, pooling at bottom.

Aviation
1 1/2 ounces dry gin
1/2 ounce lemon juice
1 teaspoon Maraschino liqueur
1 teaspoon Creme de Violette

Chill a cocktail glass. In a mixing glass, stir the gin, lemon juice, and Maraschino liqueur together with ice until well chilled. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and gently swirl in the Creme de Violette. Enjoy it cold.

Tomorrow: Aviation Week continues, colder and higher