Aviation American Gin

Aviation American Gin is made in the contemporary American style, which means juniper is present but doesn't dominate. The producer is listed as Aviation, and the gin is labeled as coming from Massachusetts. The bottle carries no stated ABV, botanical list or tasting notes. What follows is what to expect from the style, not a measured profile of this bottle. Gins in this camp usually pair a modest juniper backbone with citrus peel, floral or herbal top notes and a little spice. They read softer and rounder on the nose than a London dry, and the finish tends to be smooth rather than piney. That balance makes it a good fit for drinks where you want the gin to share the stage rather than lead. In a Gin & Tonic, a restrained juniper lets the tonic and garnish show through. Use a clean, not-too-sweet tonic at roughly two parts tonic to one part gin. Build it in a balloon glass or a tall highball filled with large, cold ice. Add a lemon or grapefruit peel, or a thin cucumber ribbon or a sprig of rosemary if you want the herbal side. Large cubes melt slowly, so the drink stays cold without going watery. For a Martini, stir the gin with ice until the mixing glass is frosted. Strain it into a chilled coupe or stemmed glass. A 4:1 or 5:1 ratio of gin to dry vermouth works with a softer-spirited gin, and a lemon twist suits it better than an olive. A Tom Collins is another natural choice. Shake the gin with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup, strain over ice into a highball, top with soda, and garnish with a lemon wheel. In a Negroni, equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, a gentler gin will leave more room for the bitter and sweet components. If you'd like the gin to be more audible in the glass, drop the vermouth slightly or add an orange peel. Keep the bottle in the freezer if you plan to drink it neat or in a Martini. The higher-proof, lower-sugar profile means it won't freeze solid, and the cold mellows its edges. For cocktails, shaking or stirring with plenty of ice gets it to the right temperature. If you're planning food, light seafood, citrus-dressed salads and fresh herb-driven dishes tend to suit a citrus and floral gin better than rich, heavily spiced fare.