At the height of haute cuisine and mixology is the edible flower. Equally as elegant is the drinkable flower—in the form of botanicals. “Botanicals” even sounds classy. And they really are.

Floral products are refined and give off wonderfully unexpected aromas and flavors. Bright red nasturtium flowers, for example, are spicy and often used to garnish upscale tacos and ceviche. Violets, the star ingredient in crème de violette liqueur, are pleasantly sweet and very floral.

One of the core aviation cocktail ingredients is crème de violette liqueur, a botanical composed of neutral spirits (a flavorless base alcohol) and a natural or artificial violet flavoring.

This deep purple liquor pairs well with gin which is infused with other botanicals, like juniper berries and herbs. Whether you’re having an intimate tasting dinner at your house or treating yourself to something special on a Friday night, this violet liqueur cocktail will bring a touch of sophistication to your evening.

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Cooking time: None

Total time: 3 minutes

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 2 ounces gin

• ½ ounce maraschino liqueur (like Luxardo)

• ¼ ounce crème de violette (like Monin, Giffard, or Rothman & Winter)

• ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

• Brandied cherry (for garnish)

Glassware

• Coupe or martini glass

Preparation instructions 

1. Combine the gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice with plenty of ice in a cocktail shaker. 

2. Shake the ingredients well, and then strain into a coupe glass.

3. Garnish with a speared brandied cherry and enjoy this exotically purple gin drink.

Bartender’s tip: There is no crème de violette substitute, but you can swap out the maraschino liqueur. Any cherry-flavored alcohol should work, including cherry brandy. 

Recipe adapted from Liquor.com

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Other crème de violette drinks

Princess violette cocktail

This princess drink is a purple champagne cocktail that’s perfect for brunch with friends or any other occasion that comes to mind. To make, combine 1 ounce of crème de violette liqueur and one-half ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice directly in a champagne flute. Stir, carefully and gently, to combine the flavors. Top up with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist. This drink is very similar to a violette royal, which follows essentially the same preparation and ingredients, minus the lemon juice. 

A quick tip: you don’t have to waste expensive champagne on a mixed drink. You can easily make this cocktail with prosecco or another sparkling wine, like cava. 

Blue moon

This blue cocktail doesn’t contain any blue curaçao. Instead of being beachy and bright, this drink is floral, herbal, and perfect for sipping at an evening garden party. To make this classic crème de violette recipe, combine 2 ounces of gin, three-quarter ounces of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and three-quarter ounces of crème de violette in a cocktail shaker. After shaking the drink, strain it into a coupe glass. If you want to get creative, try an elegant rocks glass. 

Scotch violets: You may not think to combine Scotch whiskey with floral notes, but why not? Scotch is woody and complex, so the resulting drink is a well-rounded infusion of natural elements. To make, add 2 ounces of Scotch, 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice, three-quarter ounces of crème de violette, and one-quarter ounce of honey to a cocktail shaker. Stir the ingredients gently until the honey dissolves, and then shake the drink. Strain the liquid into the cocktail glass of your choice over ice cubes and garnish with a lemon wheel. 

Bartender’s tip: You can release some of the delicious, citrusy oils of a lemon peel by heating it. Using a torch-style lighter, carefully run the flame across the peel of the lemon slice or twist it before placing it in a drink as a garnish. The cocktail will take on some of this slightly smokey citrus flavor. 

Belmont

This cocktail is practically a bouquet of flowers, with both creme de violette and St. Germain, which is another floral liqueur made from elderflowers. To make, add 1 ¾ ounces of gin, one-half ounce of St. Germain, and one-half ounce of creme de violette to a cocktail shaker with ice. After shaking, strain the liquid into a rocks glass over ice cubes and top up with club soda. You can also add in a dash of fresh lime juice.

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Other cocktails with gin

If you don’t love the taste of creme de violette, why not try another classy gin drink? Select from any of the best gin cocktail recipes below: 

• Gin fizz: A silky drink containing egg white, lemon juice, and simple syrup. 

• Negroni: A bittersweet mix of Campari and sweet red vermouth.

• Gin martini: A neutrally pleasant bar staple containing dry vermouth and lemon.

• Gin and tonic: A simple drink featuring tonic water, plenty of ice, and lime. 

• French 75: A three-ingredient wonder combining lemon and champagne (with gin, of course). 

• Gimlet: Somewhere between a martini and a margarita, this citrusy cocktail contains lime juice and simple syrup. 

• Tom Collins: Lemon juice, simple syrup, and a top up of club soda come together for a refreshing drink that tastes like boozy sparkling lemonade. 

If you’re ready to experiment with crème de violette, order it from Gopuff. Start setting up your home bar because your order will be at your door in minutes. 

And, while we hope your bartending experiments won’t lead to a hangover, you may want to pick up some coffee for the morning after while you’re at it.