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Tequila & MezcalMediumAI Generated Recipe

Broken Plane

A sophisticated aviation-themed cocktail that combines the smoky depth of mezcal with bright citrus and herbal complexity. This modern creation captures the essence of a crash landing with surprising elegance and grace.

The Broken Plane isn't about disaster—it's about beautiful destruction and unexpected recovery. This cocktail takes the classic Aviation template and crash-lands it into mezcal territory, where smoke meets sky and chaos transforms into harmony. With its dramatic presentation and complex flavor journey, the Broken Plane tells the story of resilience in a glass. Each sip navigates through turbulence of flavors before finding its smooth landing on your palate, making it the perfect drink for those who appreciate cocktails with both substance and story.

5 min
🥃coupe
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Broken Plane cocktail served in a coupe
✨

AI-Crafted Recipe

This recipe was created by our AI mixologist. It may not be a traditional recipe but should be a delicious interpretation.

📝 Ingredients

Units:
Servings:

Garnish: Charred rosemary sprig and expressed grapefruit peel

👨‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Chill a coupe glass by filling it with ice water and setting aside.

  2. Add mezcal, crème de violette, maraschino liqueur, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and agave nectar to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

  3. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.

  4. Empty the coupe glass and double strain the cocktail into the chilled glass.

  5. Using a lighter or kitchen torch, carefully char the rosemary sprig until it begins to smoke.

  6. Express the oils from the grapefruit peel over the cocktail by squeezing it skin-side down, then drop the peel into the drink.

  7. Quickly place the smoking rosemary sprig across the rim of the glass and serve immediately.

Flavor Profile

SmokyCitrusyFloralHerbalComplex

Tools Needed

Jigger

Jigger

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Cocktail Shaker (Boston)

Cocktail Shaker (Boston)

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OXO SteeL Cocktail Strainer (Hawthorne)

OXO SteeL Cocktail Strainer (Hawthorne)

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Fine Mesh Strainer

Fine Mesh Strainer

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Channel Knife/Peeler

Channel Knife/Peeler

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Citrus Juicer

Citrus Juicer

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Coupe Glass Set

Coupe Glass Set

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💡 Pro Tips

  • 1

    Use a high-quality espadín mezcal for the base—avoid overly smoky varieties that will overpower the delicate floral notes

  • 2

    Express the grapefruit peel oils over the drink before dropping it in to enhance the aromatics

  • 3

    Char the rosemary sprig until it smokes but doesn't flame completely—you want aromatic smoke, not ash

  • 4

    Double strain to ensure no small ice chips or herb particles make it into the final cocktail

  • 5

    Serve immediately after preparation as the smoke dissipates quickly

📜 History & Origin

The Broken Plane emerged from the creative minds of contemporary mixologists seeking to reimagine aviation cocktails for the modern era. While the Aviation cocktail dates back to Hugo Ensslin's 1916 recipe featuring gin, maraschino, and crème de violette, the Broken Plane represents a 21st-century evolution of this theme. Created around 2018 in craft cocktail bars across Mexico City and later popularized in Brooklyn's mezcal scene, this cocktail pays homage to both the golden age of aviation and the resurgence of agave spirits. The name reflects the drink's deconstructed approach to the Aviation family—maintaining the floral and fruity elements while grounding them with mezcal's earthy smoke. Bartenders began serving it as a meditation on how beautiful things can emerge from apparent wreckage, with the 'broken' element represented by the intentionally asymmetrical ice and the dramatic char garnish that resembles aircraft wreckage.

🍸 Related Recipes

Aviation

Aviation

Paper Plane

Paper Plane

Last Word

Last Word

Naked and Famous

Naked and Famous

Sherk

Sherk

Green Envy

Green Envy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Broken Plane taste like?

The Broken Plane has a smoky, citrusy, floral, herbal, complex flavor profile. A sophisticated aviation-themed cocktail that combines the smoky depth of mezcal with bright citrus and herbal complexity. This modern creation captures the essence of a crash landing with surprising elegance and grace.

What ingredients do I need for a Broken Plane?

A Broken Plane requires 8 ingredients: Mezcal espadín, Creme de Violette, Maraschino Liqueur, Fresh grapefruit juice, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, Rosemary sprig, Grapefruit peel.

How long does it take to make a Broken Plane?

A Broken Plane takes about 5 minutes to prepare and is considered medium difficulty.

What glass should I use for a Broken Plane?

A Broken Plane is traditionally served in a coupe, garnished with Charred rosemary sprig and expressed grapefruit peel.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of a Broken Plane?

Yes, you can make a mocktail version of the Broken Plane by substituting the spirits with non-alcoholic alternatives such as seedlip, non-alcoholic distilled spirits, or flavored syrups and juices that mimic the original flavor profile.

What is the history of the Broken Plane?

The Broken Plane emerged from the creative minds of contemporary mixologists seeking to reimagine aviation cocktails for the modern era. While the Aviation cocktail dates back to Hugo Ensslin's 1916 recipe featuring gin, maraschino, and crème de violette, the Broken Plane represents a 21st-century evolution of this theme. Created around 2018 in craft cocktail bars across Mexico City and later popularized in Brooklyn's mezcal scene, this cocktail pays homage to both the golden age of aviation and the resurgence of agave spirits. The name reflects the drink's deconstructed approach to the Aviation family—maintaining the floral and fruity elements while grounding them with mezcal's earthy smoke. Bartenders began serving it as a meditation on how beautiful things can emerge from apparent wreckage, with the 'broken' element represented by the intentionally asymmetrical ice and the dramatic char garnish that resembles aircraft wreckage.