Crème de violette, also known as liqueur de violette, is a generic term for a

liqueur A liqueur (; ; ) is an alcoholic drink composed of spirits (often rectified spirit) and additional flavorings such as sugar, fruits, herbs, and spices. Often served with or after dessert, they are typically heavily sweetened and un-aged beyond ...

with natural and/or artificial

violet Violet may refer to: Common meanings * Violet (color), a spectral color with wavelengths shorter than blue * One of a list of plants known as violet, particularly: ** ''Viola'' (plant), a genus of flowering plants Places United States * Viol ...

flower flavoring and coloring with either a

brandy Brandy is a liquor produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35–60% alcohol by volume (70–120 US proof) and is typically consumed as an after-dinner digestif. Some brandies are aged in wooden casks. Others are coloured with ...

base, a neutral spirit base, or a combination of the two. The taste profile and aroma are distinctly floral and sweet, and reminiscent of the violet candies popular in the early to mid 20th century. Its known production dates back to the early 19th century when it was served with dry vermouth or alone as a cordial. After crème de violette had been all but unavailable in the United States for decades, in mid-2007 Haus Alpenz began importing the Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette, which is made from Queen Charlotte and March violet flowers from the Alps. Since then, other brands of crème de violette have arrived on the US market, e.g., The Bitter Truth from Europe. Crème de violette is the forerunner to the liqueurs Parfait d'Amour and the American variation,

Creme Yvette Creme Yvette, also called Creme d'Yvette or Creme de Yvette, is a proprietary liqueur made from parma violet petals with blackberries, red raspberries, wild strawberries and cassis, honey, orange peel and vanilla. It was once manufactured by Ch ...

, both of which are decidedly different with pronounced vanilla and/or citrus flavors. When crème de violette is not available it is possible to use the Parfait Amour or creme Yvette to replicate the violet color in a drink, though the taste profile is quite different. It is considered a core ingredient in the

Aviation Aviation includes the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. ''Aircraft'' includes fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air craft such as hot air ...

cocktail A cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink. Most commonly, cocktails are either a combination of spirits, or one or more spirits mixed with other ingredients such as tonic water, fruit juice, flavored syrup, or cream. Cocktails vary widely across ...

. The rarity of crème de violette appeared as a plot element in an episode of '' The Avengers'' in 1965 entitled "Two's A Crowd". "Two's a Crowd" episode page - P.Garnier Creme de Violettes is the brand used in the show.

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External links

Haus Alpenz (Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette)
French liqueurs {{Distilled-beverage-stub