Drink of the Week: Yale Cocktail

Yet another bottle has made its way into our arsenal: Creme de Violette. Haus Alpenz has recently started importing this violet liqueur into the US. It is a traditional ingredient in the Aviation and Blue Moon cocktails.

It is flavored with violets and while it tastes like flowery candy (in a good way) it isn't too sweet in drinks. There is a great roundup of Cremes on Jamie Boudreau's site Spirits and Cocktails. Since the Alpenz version is the only one available in the States, it's the one we used.

Having already sampled Aviations and Blue Moons (and forgetting to take pictures), we decided to make a Yale Cocktail instead. It actually ended up tasting a lot like a Hendrick's Martini (gently floral gin). I see a taste-off coming up soon ...

Yale Cocktail (courtesy of Haus Alpenz)
Stir in an iced cocktail shaker until well-chilled:

• 2 ounces gin
• 1/3 ounce dry vermouth
• 1/3 ounce Creme De Violette
• dash bitters

Strain into an iced cocktail glass.