Aviation American Gin Martinis
Ryan Reynolds has created a behemoth and has managed to get his gin into most bars in the country, but should it be your home bar go-to?
Last week, we tackled martinis made with budget-friendly, large-format gin from Costco. But what about a similar budget option with a bit more of a brand behind it?
Up Now: Aviation American Gin
The Gin
I love Ryan Reynolds. His whole shtick works for me. And as a result, I tend to buy more Aviation than just about any other gin when stocking my bar. But I hadn’t used it to make many martinis; it’s more a go-to for Gin & Tonics or (of course) Aviations. Basically, I used Aviation most when the gin wasn’t the star of the show.
That’s not necessarily because I don’t like the gin - I do! I appreciate the more subtle juniper notes than you find in most London Drys, and the herby finish is why it plays so nicely with other botanical flavors in different drinks. But, without that juniper punch and an overall “mellow” flavor profile and lower ABV, how does it hold up in a martini? Well, that largely depends on the vermouth you pair with…
With Dolin
This is a super-dry martini - I don’t get any real sweetness at all. There’s a bit of juniper that comes through, but the gin gets hidden here. If someone told you this was a vodka martini, you’d be inclined to believe them.
With Carpano
In contrast, this might actually be a bit too sweet. The citrus oil you get on the finish steals the show, and it almost completely hides any juniper. It’s definitely gin, but maybe a bit over-played.
With Martini & Rossi
This martini has a ton of bite but not much else. The slight oxidization from the vermouth comes through strong, but individual flavors are tough to tease out. It’s a strong drink, and it does taste like gin, but there’s just not much going on.
With Drapo
Another very dry martini, but this time the citrus comes through stronger, especially on the nose. But, the juniper isn’t completely hidden and the full botanical compliment comes through on the finish.
The Winner: Aviation American Gin and Drapo Dry Vermouth
To me, this is very much the archetype for a dry, gin martini. An exemplar of the category, this is a winner.
But, even though it’s delicious, it’s not all that interesting. What happens when you swap in a gin that subverts most rules of the spirit?
Next Up: Gin Mare