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Test Pilot

A rum-forward, spiced cousin of the Aviation that swaps gin for Jamaican rum and adds a warm, funky depth.

rumherbalspicedmaraschinofunkycinnamonbittersweetcitrus

%

ABV

Difficulty

Test Pilot

Overview

What this drink is like

The first sip hits you with rich, funky rum and warm baking spice, backed by a sharp, clean lime bite. The middle rounds out as the maraschino and herbal liqueur pull things toward a bittersweet, slightly nutty middle. It finishes dry and spicy, with the cinnamon and herbs lingering long after the swallow.

Who will like it

When to drink

Drink this as an aperitif when you want something bracing and aromatic to wake up your palate.

Ordering tip

Ask the bartender if they use a high-ester Jamaican rum, since that funky backbone is what makes the drink sing.

Ice: NoneTemp: ColdCost: $3–$5Glass: CoupeBatch-friendly

Flavor

Taste profile

This drink is a heavy hitter with a lot going on. The rum brings a funky, overripe fruit note that slams into warm cinnamon and herbal sweetness from the Bénédictine. Lime juice cuts through the richness just enough to keep it from feeling syrupy. Every sip seems to highlight a different flavor, moving from spiced rum to bitter herbs to a dry, nutty finish.

Finish: The finish runs long and dry, with cinnamon spice and herbal bitterness lingering over the warm rum.

Primary tastes

herbalspicysweet

Secondary

bitterearthyfruity

Aroma

cinnamonoverripe bananabaking spiceherbal
  • Bitternesslightly bitter

    The Angostura and herbal liqueur bring a gentle bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check.

  • Sweetnessmoderately sweet

    The maraschino, Bénédictine, and syrup add sugar, but the lime and bitters balance it out.

  • Sournessmoderate acidity

    The lime juice gives a sharp, clean tartness that cuts through the heavy liqueurs.

  • Strengthstrong

    With a full 45ml pour of overproof or high-ester rum, this drink hits hard and lets you know it.

  • Refreshingmoderately refreshing

    The citrus and chill help, but the rich liqueurs and heavy rum keep it from feeling light.

  • Creaminesslight body

    The Bénédictine and maraschino give the drink a silky weight, but it stays dry and sharp.

  • Complexityhighly complex

    The funky rum, herbal liqueur, nutty maraschino, and warm cinnamon all pull in different directions.

Recipe

Make it at home

Shaken · Coupe · equal parts on Jamaican Rum. A high-ester or pot-still Jamaican rum like Smith & Cross or Appleton Estate Reserve works best.

Before you start

Put your coupe glass in the freezer for a few minutes to chill it. Make sure your lime juice is freshly squeezed and your shaker is ready.

Ingredients

  • Jamaican RumBase SpiritHigh-ester recommended for authentic flavor.45ml
  • Maraschino LiqueurLiqueurLuxardo is the standard.15ml
  • BénédictineLiqueur15ml
  • Lime JuiceJuiceFreshly squeezed.15ml
  • Angostura BittersBitters2 dashes
  • Cinnamon SyrupSyrupHalf a barspoon; can substitute 1 dash Angostura cinnamon bitters if needed.7.5ml

Garnish: Lime wheel

Tools

  • Cocktail Shaker · Shaking

    To chill and combine the rum, liqueurs, and citrus with ice.

    At home: A large mason jar with a tight lid.

  • Jigger · Measuring

    To measure the rum, liqueurs, and juice accurately.

    At home: A measuring spoon or small liquid measuring cup.

  • Hawthorne Strainer · Straining

    To hold back the ice and any small shards when pouring the drink.

    At home: A slotted spoon or fine mesh sieve.

  • Coupe Glass · Serving

    To serve the drink chilled and without ice.

    At home: A small wine glass or shallow dessert bowl.

  • Fine Mesh Strainer · optional · Straining

    To double strain and catch tiny ice chips for a smoother drink.

    At home: A tea strainer.

Ingredients and tools to make Test Pilot
Ingredients and tools

Steps

  1. 1

    Measure 45ml Jamaican rum, 15ml maraschino liqueur, 15ml Bénédictine, 15ml lime juice, and 7.5ml cinnamon syrup into your shaker. Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters on top.

    Step 1 — how to make Test Pilot

    !Using bottled lime juice will make the drink taste flat and metallic.

  2. 2

    Fill the shaker halfway with ice, using solid cubes if you have them. The ice should come up above the liquid line so everything gets properly chilled.

    Step 2 — how to make Test Pilot

    !Using cracked or small ice will over-dilute the drink before it gets cold enough.

  3. 3

    Seal the shaker and shake hard for about 10 to 12 seconds. You want the metal to frost over and feel painfully cold to the touch, which tells you the drink is fully chilled and diluted.

    ~12s

    Step 3 — how to make Test Pilot

    !Shaking too gently leaves the drink warm and under-diluted.

  4. 4

    Pop the top off the shaker and pour the drink through a Hawthorne strainer into your frozen coupe glass. If you hate little ice shards floating in your drink, hold a small fine mesh strainer over the glass and pour through both.

    Step 4 — how to make Test Pilot

    !Pouring too fast can splash the drink over the rim of the glass.

  5. 5

    Take a thin lime wheel and make a small cut into the center so it sits flat on the rim of the glass. Drop it on the edge and serve it right away while it is still frosty.

    Step 5 — how to make Test Pilot

    !Leaving the drink sitting on the bar too long lets it warm up and lose its sharp bite.

Serve

Serve it straight up in the chilled coupe with just the lime wheel on the rim. Drink it while it is cold, as the flavors get flabby as it warms up.

Variations

Ingredient substitutions

Each row shows what you can swap in place of an original ingredient, and how the drink changes.

Swap options for Jamaican Rum

  • Jamaican RumDemerara Rum
    Match
    Specialty availability

    Jamaican Rum → Demerara Rum: Loses the funky, overripe fruit note but adds a rich, brown sugar depth.

Swap options for Cinnamon Syrup

  • Cinnamon SyrupCinnamon Bitters
    Match
    Specialty availability

    Cinnamon Syrup → Cinnamon Bitters: Dries the drink out significantly and intensifies the bitter spice notes.

Swap options for Bénédictine

  • BénédictineYellow Chartreuse
    Match
    Specialty availability

    Bénédictine → Yellow Chartreuse: Pushes the drink toward a sharper, more vegetal and anise-heavy herbal profile.

Related

Similar cocktails

Cousin drinks that share DNA with this one — each profile stands on its own.

Aviation

Similar cocktail

Aviation

The Aviation uses gin and crème de violette, making it floral and piney, while the Test Pilot uses rum and Bénédictine, making it funky and spiced.

Match

The Aviation is light, floral, and botanical, while the Test Pilot is heavier, warmer, and driven by rum funk and baking spice.

In common: Sour structure, Maraschino-driven flavor, Short shaken format

Ingredients

Both share

Maraschino Liqueur, Lime Juice

Only in Test Pilot

Jamaican Rum, Bénédictine, Cinnamon Syrup, Angostura Bitters

Only in Aviation

Gin, Crème de Violette

Swapping gin for rum and crème de violette for Bénédictine and cinnamon completely shifts the drink from a floral, botanical profile to a warm, spiced, and funky one.

Flavor

Shared flavors

Bittersweet maraschino backbone, Sharp citrus tartness, Dry finish

How Aviation differs

Funkier and warmer, Lacks floral notes, Heavier body

View recipe & details →

Last Flight

Similar cocktail

Last Flight

The Last Flight drops the maraschino and cinnamon for apricot liqueur, moving the flavor from nutty and spiced to stone-fruit forward.

Match

Both drinks share a funky, herbal rum core, but the Last Flight is softer and sweeter with apricot, while the Test Pilot is drier and spicier with maraschino and cinnamon.

In common: Rum and Bénédictine base, Citrus-forward, Short shaken format

Ingredients

Both share

Jamaican Rum, Bénédictine, Lime Juice

Only in Test Pilot

Maraschino Liqueur, Cinnamon Syrup, Angostura Bitters

Only in Last Flight

Apricot Liqueur

Replacing maraschino and cinnamon syrup with apricot liqueur takes the drink in a softer, fruitier direction while keeping the same rum and herbal foundation.

Flavor

Shared flavors

Funky rum base, Herbal Bénédictine notes, Citrus tartness

How Last Flight differs

Fruitier and softer, Less spiced, Lacks nutty maraschino notes

View recipe & details →

History

Origin

The Test Pilot first appeared in print in the 1937 Cafe Royal Cocktail Book. It is widely considered a rum-based variation of the Aviation, swapping gin for Jamaican rum and adding Bénédictine and cinnamon for warmth.

Era
1930s
Data version
1937 Cafe Royal Cocktail Book spec
Confidence

The original 1937 recipe uses a half teaspoon of cinnamon syrup; some modern variations use a barspoon or adjust the Bénédictine ratio.

Practical

Tips & pitfalls

What works at home and what to skip when making this drink.

Tips

Worth knowing before you pour

  • Use a high-ester Jamaican rum like Smith & Cross for the best flavor.
  • If you lack cinnamon syrup, use a dash of cinnamon bitters instead.
  • Shake hard to ensure the Bénédictine and syrup mix fully with the juice.
  • Double strain to keep cinnamon syrup residue out of the final glass.

Avoid

Common mistakes

  • Do not use a bland white rum, or the drink will taste hollow.
  • Skip the cinnamon entirely, as it is key to the drink's character.
  • Do not shake with crushed ice, or it will over-dilute quickly.