Rhubarb Violet Fizz with crème de violette and gin

Rhubarb Violet Fizz is a light and refreshing gin cocktail featuring homemade rhubarb syrup, crème de violette, fresh lemon juice, and soda. Floral, crisp, and beautifully balanced, it’s an easy spring and summer drink that’s elegant enough for entertaining yet simple enough to enjoy any day.

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Rhubarb Fizz with gin and creme de violette

Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well!

Today I’m sharing one of my favourite ways to use homemade rhubarb syrup. This Rhubarb Violet Fizz combines tart rhubarb, fragrant crème de violette, crisp gin, and sparkling soda into a cocktail that’s bright, refreshing, and surprisingly easy to make. Let’s dive in rhubarb gin fizz with crème de violette!

Why You’ll Love This Rhubarb Violet Fizz With Crème de Violette

Whether you’re already a fan of floral cocktails or simply looking for a new way to use rhubarb syrup, this floral gin fizz drink has plenty to offer.

Light and refreshing. Soda gives the cocktail a crisp, bubbly finish without making it overly sweet.
Beautifully balanced. Tart rhubarb, bright lemon, botanical gin, and delicate violet complement one another without any single flavour taking over.
Easy to customize. Adjust the sweetness, floral intensity, or strength to suit your taste.
Perfect for warm weather. It’s an ideal cocktail for spring gatherings, summer barbecues, or relaxing on the patio.
A unique twist on a classic gin fizz. Crème de violette adds an elegant floral note that makes this cocktail feel a little more special than a traditional Gin Fizz.

How Is This Rhubarb Violet Fizz Different From Other Gin Cocktails?

At first glance, this may look like another sparkling gin cocktail, but it’s quite different from both a classic gin fizz and many modern floral drinks.

Instead of relying on sweetness alone, this recipe layers bright citrus, tart rhubarb, aromatic violets, and botanical gin to create a cocktail that’s refreshing and well balanced. The floral notes remain elegant rather than overpowering, while the rhubarb adds both acidity and depth.

Some of the reasons this cocktail stands out include:

Fresh rhubarb flavour. Homemade rhubarb syrup contributes both sweetness and natural tartness.
Delicate floral character. Crème de violette provides a gentle violet aroma instead of dominating the drink.
Bright citrus balance. Lemon juice ties all the flavours together and keeps the cocktail lively.
Refreshing finish. Soda lightens the texture, making it perfect for warmer weather.
Flexible recipe. It’s easy to adjust the sweetness, floral intensity, or alcohol content depending on your preference.

Unlike many floral cocktails that can become perfumy or overly sweet, this Rhubarb Violet Fizz stays crisp, refreshing, and easy to drink thanks to the natural acidity of the rhubarb and lemon.

gin fizz cocktail with homemade rhubarb syrup and violet liqueur

What Is Crème de Violette?

If you’ve never used crème de violette before, don’t let the name intimidate you. Although it isn’t found in every home bar, it’s a surprisingly versatile liqueur that can transform both classic and modern cocktails.

Crème de violette is a French floral liqueur made from violet flowers. Despite the word crème, it contains no dairy. Instead, “crème” refers to its rich texture and relatively high sugar content. The flavour is delicately floral with subtle sweet, earthy, and slightly candy-like notes, while the vibrant purple colour makes cocktails especially eye-catching.

Although best known for its role in the classic Aviation, crème de violette works wonderfully in many other drinks.

It pairs especially well with:

Gin, whose botanical notes naturally complement floral flavours.
Fresh citrus, particularly lemon and grapefruit, which brighten the sweetness.
Berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cherries.
Rhubarb, whose tartness creates excellent balance.
Sparkling wine and soda, which lighten the floral character.
Coffee and vanilla, for richer dessert-style drinks.

A little usually goes a long way. Many cocktail recipes call for just a bar spoon or a quarter ounce, although you can certainly use a bit more if you enjoy a stronger floral profile – as I often do.

Does Crème de Violette Pair Well with Rhubarb?

Absolutely. In fact, rhubarb is one of my favourite ingredients to pair with crème de violette. Check this Rhubarb Violet Sour.

Rhubarb is naturally tart, fruity, and slightly earthy. Those qualities prevent the floral notes from becoming overly sweet or perfumy, creating a cocktail that feels bright, balanced, and refreshing rather than heavy.

Gin is the perfect bridge between the two ingredients. Its botanical profile complements the floral violet while adding structure, and fresh lemon juice enhances both flavours with a clean citrus brightness.

The result is a cocktail where each ingredient has a role:

Rhubarb syrup provides sweetness, fruitiness, and lively acidity.
Crème de violette contributes delicate floral complexity.
Gin ties everything together with herbal and botanical notes.
Lemon juice brightens the drink and balances the sweetness.
Soda adds a crisp, refreshing finish.

It’s a simple combination, but one that’s elegant, well-balanced, and perfect for spring and summer. In my opinion, rhubarb is one of the most underrated companions for crème de violette.

What Is a Gin Fizz?

Despite the name, a gin fizz is one of the simplest classic cocktails. It’s essentially a gin sour that’s finished with soda water, creating a lighter, brighter, and more refreshing drink.

A traditional gin fizz is made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water. Some versions also include egg white for a silky, foamy texture, but many modern recipes – including this Rhubarb Violet Fizz – skip it for a cleaner, crisper finish.

Although this recipe adds rhubarb syrup and crème de violette, it still follows the same basic formula: spirit, citrus, sweetener, and soda.

How Is a Gin Fizz Different from Other Gin Cocktails?

Many classic gin drinks contain similar ingredients, but small differences create very different cocktails.

Gin Fizz. A balanced combination of gin, citrus, sweetener, and soda, resulting in a light, refreshing cocktail.
Gin Sour. Similar ingredients but without soda, making it richer, more concentrated, and more intensely flavoured.
Tom Collins. Closely related to a Gin Fizz, but traditionally served over plenty of ice in a tall Collins glass and often with slightly more soda.
Gin Rickey. Uses lime juice and soda without added sweetener, producing a noticeably drier cocktail.
French 75. Replaces soda with sparkling wine, creating a more elegant and celebratory drink.
Spritz. Typically combines sparkling wine with a liqueur or aperitif and soda. Compared to a fizz, spritzes are generally lighter in alcohol and more wine-forward.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Rhubarb Violet Fizz With Crème de Violette

It only takes a handful of ingredients to make this refreshing floral gin cocktail. Each one plays an important role in creating a balanced drink.

Gin. A classic London Dry gin keeps the cocktail crisp and botanical, although citrus-forward or floral styles also work well.
Rhubarb syrup. The star ingredient, providing both sweetness and the bright tart flavour that defines the cocktail. Homemade rhubarb syrup works especially well How to Make Rhubarb Syrup (Less Sweet, Perfect for Cocktails).
Crème de violette. Adds a delicate floral aroma, beautiful colour, and subtle sweetness.
Fresh lemon or lime juice. Balances the sweetness while brightening all of the flavours. Lime adds more complexity.
Club soda or sparkling water. Gives the cocktail its signature light, bubbly finish.
Ice. Plenty of ice keeps the drink crisp and refreshing with minimal dilution.

How to Make a Rhubarb Violet Fizz

Fill a highball or Collins glass with ice. Add the gin, rhubarb syrup, crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice, then stir briefly to combine. Top with chilled club soda and give the cocktail one final gentle stir before serving.

How to Serve and Garnish

Presentation is simple but makes this violet rhubarb gin fizz feel even more special.

Glass. Serve in a highball or Collins glass.
Ice. Fill the glass generously with fresh ice to keep the cocktail cold without excessive dilution.
Lemon. Garnish with a lemon wheel, slice, or twist.
Edible flowers. Fresh or candied violets make an elegant finishing touch when available.
Rhubarb. A thin ribbon or small piece of poached rhubarb complements the flavours beautifully.
Fresh herbs. A sprig of mint adds a fresh aroma and a touch of colour.

Don’t Have Gin? Try These Spirits Instead

Gin is my favourite choice because its botanical notes pair naturally with both rhubarb and violet, but it’s certainly not the only option. If you’d like to experiment or simply use what you already have at home, here are a few delicious alternatives.

Vodka. The closest substitute. Its neutral flavour lets the rhubarb and crème de violette take centre stage.
White rum. Adds a gentle sweetness and creates a softer, fruitier cocktail that’s still wonderfully refreshing.
Dry sparkling wine. Replace the soda with sparkling wine for a cross between a Gin Fizz and a spritz. You can keep a small amount of gin or omit it altogether for a lighter floral cocktail.
Empress 1908 Gin. If you have it on hand, it’s a fantastic variation rather than a substitute. Its botanical profile and natural indigo colour complement the crème de violette beautifully.

Avoid heavily oaked spirits like bourbon or rye, as their rich vanilla and caramel notes tend to overpower the delicate floral character of the drink.

rhubarb gin cocktail with violet liqueur

Can I Make This Without Crème de Violette?

Absolutely. While crème de violette gives this cocktail its signature floral aroma and colour, the drink is still delicious without it.

Simply omit the liqueur and you’ll end up with a bright, refreshing rhubarb gin fizz that lets the tartness of the rhubarb take centre stage.

If you’d still like a hint of floral flavour, consider one of these alternatives:

Violet syrup for a non-alcoholic floral note.
A tiny splash of lavender syrup, used sparingly so it doesn’t overpower the drink.
Floral bitters, which add subtle complexity without much sweetness.

Each variation creates a slightly different cocktail, making this recipe easy to adapt based on what’s already in your bar.

Make This Rhubarb Violet Fizz Your Own

One of the best things about this gin fizz with rhubarb syrup and crème de violette is how easy it is to customize. A few small adjustments can create a drink that’s perfectly suited to your taste.

Adjust the sweetness. Add a little more rhubarb syrup for a sweeter cocktail, or increase the lemon juice if you prefer a brighter, tarter finish.
Control the floral flavour. Use just a bar spoon of crème de violette for a subtle floral note, or increase it to about ½ ounce if you enjoy a more pronounced violet character.
Choose your favourite gin. London Dry gin keeps the cocktail crisp, while citrus-forward or floral gins produce a softer, more aromatic drink.
Make it stronger. Increase the gin and use slightly less soda for a bolder cocktail.
Make it lighter. Add extra soda for a lower-alcohol, extra-refreshing version that’s perfect for hot summer days.
Experiment with citrus. Replace part of the lemon juice with fresh grapefruit juice for a slightly softer, more complex flavour.
Try different garnishes. Lemon twists, edible violets, fresh mint, or a ribbon of rhubarb all make beautiful finishing touches.

More Rhubarb and Violet Cocktail Recipes

If you enjoyed this gin fizz with rhubarb syrup and violet liqueur, here are a few more seasonal cocktails that celebrate rhubarb, crème de violette, and other floral flavours.

Rhubarb Cocktails

Violet Cocktails

Crème de violette isn’t just for the Aviation. Its delicate floral character pairs beautifully with gin, berries, citrus, and even coffee.

I’d love for you to try this rhubarb gin fizz with violet liqueur. If you give it a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts.

Cheers!

Floral gin cocktail with rhubarb syrup and crème de violette

Floral gin fizz cocktail with rhubarb syrup and crème de violette