Spotlight On: Crème de Violette

Each month, our experts at Craft Gin Club select an exciting cocktail ingredient and shine a spotlight on it. This month, Crème de Violette takes centre stage!

Famously the star ingredient in the classic gin cocktail the Aviation, this exquisite purple liqueur is made from violets – which makes it the perfect springtime addition to your home bar!

Here we reveal just what makes this elegant and floral cocktail ingredient a must for any budding cocktail enthusiast. We’ve also made our recommendations for the best brands to buy, and of course, you can try your hand at three of our favourite gin cocktail recipes using Crème de Violette.

Crème de Violette is a liqueur made by macerating violet flowers in a neutral spirit or brandy base.

Floral, fragrant and sweet, its rich perfumed notes give it an intoxicating intensity. A little of the liquid goes a long way – all it takes is a dash in a cocktail to transport the drinker to a field of wild violets in the height of spring.

Thought to date back to the early 1800s, Crème de Violette grew in popularity and was the height of fashion by the early 20th century - when pastel violet candies and floral flavours were all the rage.

In the last half of the 20th century, this delicate liqueur fell a little out of fashion in favour of louder, more brightly coloured and exotic liqueurs, as cocktail drinkers travelled the world and experimented with adventurous new spirits, mixers and tipples from across the globe.

However, in the past decade or so, top bartenders - and cocktail connoisseurs - began to take a renewed interest in pre-prohibition classic cocktails. The result? This vintage violet liqueur has made a resounding comeback!

Now, rather than gathering dust at the back of bars, world-class mixologists prize bottles of Crème de Violette. Here at Craft Gin Club, we couldn’t be more delighted - it’s a fabulous way to add the essence of springtime to cocktails, including one of our all-time favourites: the Aviation.

Best overall: Gabriel Boudier Crème De Violette

We recommend Gabriel Boudier’s sophisticated take on the liqueur: jam-packed with rich natural flavours and floral notes, it’s part of the brand’s ‘Bartender Range’. Its excellent quality, amethyst colour and well-balanced sweetness makes it the top choice for cocktail connoisseurs.

Craft Gin Club’s Master Mixologist Maria, who hand-picked this brand of Crème De Violette for our online shop, explains: “The house of Gabriel Boudier was one of the pioneers of French liqueurs and has been making amazing products since 1874. I’ve visited their factory twice to learn more about their process.

“The quality of the ingredients they select for their liqueurs has a massive impact on the final product. I tasted their Crème de Violette alongside other brands, and it ticks all the boxes in terms of taste, aroma and visual appearance.”

So, now you know which brand to try, it’s time to reveal the most important thing - how do you drink or serve Crème de Violette?

Let’s start with the most universally known - and loved - Crème de Violette-based cocktail: the Aviation. First invented more than 100 years ago, this floral delight should be on every gin-lover’s list to try. Get the recipe >>

This sophisticated twist on the classic gin martini is deceptively simple: it requires just three ingredients! Delicately floral, and slightly sweeter than the traditional tipple, it’s a stunning cocktail that will have your dinner party guests oohing and aahing as soon as you serve it! Get the recipe >>

This princely purple twist on your usual gin and tonic is a fabulous, floral tipple that’s just right for spring. Try our recipe now >>