How about a summer Saturday evening tipple to tantalize your taste buds?  This riff on the violet imbued Aviation cocktail swaps in St. Germain elderflower liqueur for the Creme de Violette. But don’t be fooled, gin is the star here so choose it wisely. Different gins will provide you with different flavor profiles, some of which may not be particularly palatable. Just think of how a string juniper forward gin would pair with elderflower –  probably not well in my humble opinion!  So I kept my concoction solidly in the floral range by using a softer gin like Old Tom or Citadelle, which produced a satisfying sweetness with floral character and the freshness of a gentle sea breeze. I would call that a perfect way to relax on a summer Saturday evening, wouldn’t you?

Chill a cocktail glass. In a shaker, add the gin, St. Germain, maraschino, lemon juice, and bitters. Add ice and shake to thoroughly combine and chill. Strain into the chilled cocktail glass. Rub the rim with the lemon twist and garnish over the edge.

Enjoy!