Refresh yourself with the Ad Astra Cocktail recipe! Blend Gin, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, Crème de Violette liqueur, and fresh lemon juice for a delightful spring drink.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 172
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- ½ oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur
- ½ oz Crème de Violette
- ¼ oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice cubes
- Drop of castor oil or lemon twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Stirring Glass
- Bar spoon or long stirrer
- Measuring Jigger
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Coupe Glass
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Coupe glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Lemon Juice: Pour ¼ oz fresh lemon juice into the stirring glass.
- Add Luxardo Maraschino: Add ½ oz Luxardo Maraschino liqueur.
- Add Crème de Violette: Pour ½ oz Crème de Violette into the stirring glass as well.
- Add Gin: Finally, add 2 oz Gin to the mix.
- Add Ice and Stir: Fill the mixing glass with ice. Using a bar spoon or a long stirrer, stir well (for about 15-20 seconds). Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
- Strain: Take your Coupe glass and discard the ice inside. Using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the drink into the chilled glass (the fine strainer is used to remove any pulp coming from the lemon juice: you can omit it if using filtered lemon juice).
- Garnish: Garnish with a drop of castor oil (float it on the surface of the drink) or with a lemon twist. Serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Gin: Although we recommend using London Dry Gin to make this cocktail, you can use any type of gin you like to prepare this drink. Floral gins, such as Hendrick’s or Roku, work particularly well in this cocktail. If you don't have Gin at all, you can try using vodka for a cleaner, less botanical
- Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur: Any brand of Maraschino liqueur can be used to prepare this cocktail. If you don’t have any, cherry brandy liqueur such as Cherry Heering can be an alternative for a richer cherry flavor.
- Crème de Violette: If you can't find Crème de Violette liqueur, use violet syrup as a substitute. For a different twist on this cocktail, Parfait Amour or lavender liqueur can also be used as substitutes.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but fresh is always best for that vibrant citrus kick. Another option would be to use fresh lime juice.
Making a Pitcher of Ad Astra Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of Gin, 4 oz of Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, 4 oz of Crème de Violette liqueur, and 2 oz of fresh lemon juice.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Gin, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, Crème de Violette liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. Add ice and stir well. Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary. Strain to remove the ice and transfer it into a bottle.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into chilled Martini or coupe glasses, garnish with a drop of castor oil (float it on the surface of the drink) or with a lemon twist and serve immediately. Be sure to put the bottle back into the fridge between each serving: this cocktail should always be served as cold as possible.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic Gin's botanicals. If available, you can also use elderflower juice or lemonade as a substitute as its floral notes complement the violet & maraschino very well.
- Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur Substitute: Opt for cherry syrup as a substitute: the rich, thick syrup inside Maraschino cherries jar will do the trick perfectly!
- Crème de Violette Substitute: Use violet syrup instead of Crème de Violette.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
Good news: the Ad Astra Cocktail is vegan-friendly! Just ensure that any syrups or substitutes you use (if any) are vegan-friendly by checking their labels or the brand’s website.What is an Ad Astra Cocktail?
An Ad Astra Cocktail is a modern classic cocktail made of Gin, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, Crème de Violette liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. It’s not difficult to make because it involves straightforward steps like stirring the ingredients with ice and straining them into a glass. This cocktail offers a unique blend of floral and citrus flavors, making it stand out in any gathering.
What is an Ad Astra Cocktail made of – The ingredients
Start with these ingredients to make your Ad Astra Cocktail:
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a zesty, bright acidity that balances the sweetness of the liqueurs and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur: A cherry-flavored liqueur with subtle almond and floral undertones, adding a delicate sweetness and complexity to the drink.
- Crème de Violette: A floral liqueur made from violet petals, offering sweet, fragrant notes and lending the cocktail its signature light purple hue.
- London Dry Gin: A botanical spirit that serves as the cocktail’s base, contributing herbal, juniper-forward flavors and adding structure to the drink.
- Castor Oil (optional garnish): A drop of castor oil is floated on the drink’s surface, adding a smooth texture and visual appeal.
- Lemon Twist (optional garnish): A twist of lemon zest adds a burst of citrus fragrance and a touch of bitterness when placed on the rim or floated in the glass.
