Crème de Violette
Crème de violette is a sweet, floral liqueur flavoured with violet blossoms. Aromatic and delicately perfumed, it is used in small quantities to add colour, floral lift, and soft sweetness to classic cocktails.
Quick Facts
Flavour Profile
Primary Flavours
Tasting Notes
Delicately perfumed with gentle violet aroma, mild sweetness, and a clean floral finish. Fragrant without heaviness when used correctly.
Recommended Brands
Budget Choice
Monin Crème de Violette
Premium Choice
Giffard Crème de Violette
Storage & Handling
Store upright in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight. Ensure the cap is tightly sealed after use. Shelf-stable once opened.
Shelf Life
Unopened: Indefinite. Opened: Several years if stored correctly
Crème de Violette
Crème de violette is a sweet, floral liqueur flavoured with violet blossoms. Aromatic and delicately perfumed, it is used in small quantities to add colour, floral lift, and soft sweetness to classic cocktails.
Pro Tip
Crème de violette should colour the drink — not define it.
Usage
Used in measured pours to add floral aroma, subtle sweetness, and colour to cocktails, typically as a supporting modifier rather than a primary flavour.
Top Tips
- Use sparingly — floral flavours intensify quickly.
- Balance with citrus or dry spirits to avoid cloying sweetness.
- Colour varies by producer; always taste before adjusting ratios.
- Measure carefully rather than free-pouring.
Possible Substitutions
- Lavender liqueur (herbal-floral, more assertive)
Production Method
Produced by macerating or infusing violet blossoms or natural flavour extracts in neutral spirit, followed by sweetening to create a liqueur with pronounced aroma and colour.
History & Context
Crème de violette was widely used in late 19th- and early 20th-century European cocktail culture before falling out of favour for decades. Its revival in modern bartending followed the rediscovery of classic recipes such as the Aviation, where its floral aroma provides balance rather than sweetness. Today, it is treated as a precision modifier rather than a novelty ingredient.