MixMarch #29: The Flying Dutchman

Updating the Classics is a tricky business. You are taking a recipe that is loved by people around the world. It’s a fucking hard thing to do with any level of success. Imagine my surprise then, when American Bartender of the Year, Jim Meehan, stepped up to update both a classic and one of my favourite drinks, the Aviation Cocktail.

I’ve tried a few updates on the Aviation, and most end up like the Cherry Aviation at Pocket Bar in Burton St, too sweet, too different, just not really at all like the Cocktail they’re supposed to be channeling.

This is so very different to that scenario.

Jim’s drink amplifys everything I love about the Aviation, Strong, Sour and fruity floral. Sitting at home back in Sydney, I’m ready to book a ticket, pack my bags and fly half way around the world just so he can make me another one.

The Flying Dutchman

.75 oz. (22.5mls) Clear Creek Plum Brandy, .75 oz. (22.5mls) Bols Genever, .5 oz. (15mls) Creme Yvette .5 oz. (15mls)Lemon Juice, .5 oz. (15mls) Pineapple Juice, 1 Barspoon (5mls) of Luxardo Maraschino

Shake with ice and fine strain into a chilled coupe

Garnish with one brandied cherry

(Jim Meehan, Winter 2010)

An ancestor of the Aviation Cocktail, first published in Hugo Ensslin’s Recipes for Mixed Drinks in 1916, this blue plum, pineapple, cherry and violet accented sour references Dutch genever, not the cursed ship forever lost at sea.

Lost and Long Forgotten

A while ago, I wrote about a favourite cocktail of mine, the Aviation. I mentioned that the addition of Violet liqueur renders the drink a little floral and sweet for me.

A small amount of reading of the writings of the wizard Wondrich led me to discover that the original Aviation was not actually made with Creme de Violette, it was made with a defunct substance by the name of Creme Yvette. It is said to contain vanilla and other extracts in addition to the violet petals.

Now, at least in some part due to the research and efforts of David Wondrich, the makers of St. Germain liqueur that some of you may have tried have decided to revive this once lost member of the alcoholic menagerie and bring it back to market. I must say, I can’t wait to try it.

The Original Aviation. 

45mls Gin (Beefeater works nicely), 10 mls lemon juice, 5mls maraschino liqueur, 5 mls Creme Yvette. stirred over ice and strained into a martini glass.