floral strawberry sparkling wine cocktail with violet cocktail

Fresh, fruity, and delicately floral, this strawberry violet spritz is an elegant sparkling cocktail that is perfect for summer entertaining. Made with fresh strawberries, Crème de Violette, sparkling wine, lemon juice, and an optional splash of gin, it is light, refreshing, and beautifully balanced.

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strawberry violet spritz with fresh strawberries, crème de violette, and sparkling wine

Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well!

If you have been following Havoc in the Kitchen for a while, you will know that floral flavours frequently find their way into my recipes. Rose, lavender, and violet pair wonderfully with fresh fruit, especially during the warmer months. This violet spritz with strawberries is one of those combinations that feels both elegant and approachable.

The strawberries add natural sweetness and freshness, while the Crème de Violette contributes delicate floral notes without overpowering the drink. You can also add a splash of Empress gin to turn it into a strawberry violet gin spritz with a more botanical character. Do let’s dive into this gin spritz with strawberries and violet liqueur.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Violet Spritz with Gin and Crème de Violette

There are plenty of sparkling cocktails to enjoy during the summer, but this strawberry violet spritz stands out thanks to its fresh fruit, delicate floral aroma, and balanced flavour. It is easy enough for a casual evening on the patio yet elegant enough for brunches, garden parties, or other celebrations.

Fresh and seasonal. Sweet strawberries provide natural fruit flavour and pair beautifully with delicate violet notes.
Beautifully balanced. This strawberry violet cocktail is floral without tasting perfumed, thanks to fresh berries, lemon juice, and dry sparkling wine.
Easy to customize. Keep it light as a crème de violette spritz, or add a splash of gin for a more botanical strawberry violet spritz with gin.
Quick to prepare. This refreshing strawberry spritz cocktail comes together in about five minutes with only a handful of ingredients.
Perfect for summer. Light, bubbly, and refreshing, it has everything you want in a floral spritz cocktail.
Visually appealing. Fresh strawberries, sparkling wine, and optional Empress gin create an elegant drink for summer entertaining.

What Is a Spritz?

A spritz is a light, bubbly aperitif-style cocktail generally built around sparkling wine, a flavouring ingredient, and sometimes soda water. Although the classic style is closely associated with northern Italy, modern spritzes can include seasonal fruit, herbs, bitters, spirits, and floral liqueurs.

This strawberry violet spritz follows the same basic idea while replacing the traditional bitter aperitif with fresh berries and Crème de Violette. The result is a fruitier, softer sparkling wine spritz with delicate floral character.

The Origins of the Spritz

The spritz developed in northern Italy during the nineteenth century, when the Veneto region was under Austrian rule. Austrian soldiers reportedly found the local wines stronger than those they were accustomed to and began adding a splash of water to lighten them. The German word spritzen means “to splash” or “to spray.”

Over time, sparkling water replaced still water, bitter aperitifs became common additions, and sparkling wine became central to many modern versions. Today, the spritz has expanded far beyond the familiar Aperol version and can feature fruit liqueurs, herbs, floral ingredients, and fresh seasonal produce.

The Typical Components of a Spritz

While recipes vary considerably, most spritzes contain a few recognizable elements.

Sparkling wine. Prosecco is the most familiar choice, but Cava, Crémant, rosé sparkling wine, and Champagne can also work.
A flavouring ingredient. This may be a bitter aperitif, fruit liqueur, herbal liqueur, floral liqueur, or fresh fruit.
Additional bubbles. Club soda or sparkling water can lighten the drink, although some modern recipes rely entirely on the sparkling wine.
A garnish. Citrus slices, berries, herbs, or edible flowers often reinforce the main flavours.

In this crème de violette cocktail, the fresh strawberries and violet liqueur provide the main flavour, while the sparkling wine keeps everything crisp and lively. The optional gin adds botanical depth without turning the drink into a heavy or spirit-forward cocktail.

Spritz vs. Fizz vs. Collins vs. Mimosa or Bellini

These drinks all contain bubbles, but they are built differently and have distinct flavour profiles.

Spritz. Usually combines sparkling wine with an aperitif, liqueur, or another flavouring ingredient. Soda water may also be included.
Fizz. Typically combines a spirit, citrus juice, sweetener, and soda water.
Collins. Similar to a fizz but generally served tall and built around a spirit, most often gin, with lemon, sugar, and soda.
Mimosa. Traditionally made with sparkling wine and orange juice.
Bellini. Combines sparkling wine with fruit purée, most famously white peach.

Because sparkling wine remains the dominant component, this violet spritz with strawberries belongs firmly in the spritz category. Adding a small amount of gin creates a strawberry violet spritz with gin, but the cocktail remains lighter and more wine-forward than a Collins or fizz.

What Makes This Strawberry Violet Gin Spritz Special?

At first glance, this strawberry violet spritz might seem like a simple variation on a classic sparkling cocktail, but its flavour is surprisingly nuanced. Fresh strawberries contribute natural sweetness and gentle acidity, while Crème de Violette introduces subtle floral notes that complement rather than compete with the fruit. Sparkling wine keeps the drink crisp and refreshing, and a splash of gin is entirely optional if you’d like a more botanical finish.

Together, these ingredients create a strawberry violet cocktail that feels elegant enough for celebrations yet easy enough to enjoy on a warm afternoon.

Why Strawberry and Violet Work So Well Together in This Spritz

Fruit and floral flavours have long been paired in both desserts and cocktails, but strawberry and violet are one of the most harmonious combinations.

Unlike stronger floral ingredients that can easily dominate a drink, violet has a delicate perfume with subtle sweet and earthy notes. Fresh strawberries naturally soften the floral character, resulting in a cocktail that tastes balanced rather than perfumed.

This pairing works especially well because:

Strawberries provide sweetness, freshness, and gentle acidity.
Violet contributes delicate floral complexity without overwhelming the fruit.
Lemon juice brightens both flavours and keeps the drink lively.
Sparkling wine adds dryness and effervescence, preventing the cocktail from becoming overly sweet.

The result is a refreshing violet spritz with strawberries that tastes sophisticated while remaining approachable, even for people who don’t usually gravitate toward floral cocktails.

What Is Crème de Violette?

Crème de Violette is a French-style floral liqueur flavoured with violet blossoms. Despite its name, the word “crème” doesn’t refer to dairy. Instead, it simply indicates a richer, sweeter style of liqueur.

Known for its distinctive purple colour and delicate floral aroma, Crème de Violette has been used in classic cocktails for more than a century. It is perhaps best known as an ingredient in the Aviation, but it also pairs beautifully with sparkling wine, citrus, berries, and botanical gins.

Although wonderfully fragrant, Crème de Violette should be used with a light hand. Even a small amount can transform a drink, while too much may overpower the fruit and citrus. For this strawberry violet spritz, I recommend starting with a bar spoon and adding a little more only if you’d like a stronger floral character.

The Flavour Profile of This Strawberry Gin Spritz with Violet Liqueur

This strawberry violet spritz is refreshing rather than sweet, making it ideal as an aperitif or warm-weather cocktail.

Here’s what you can expect:

First sip: bright strawberries and lively bubbles.
Mid-palate: gentle floral notes from the Crème de Violette.
Finish: crisp sparkling wine with fresh citrus and optional botanical notes from the gin.

Using a dry sparkling wine is particularly important because it balances both the berries and the floral liqueur. A dry rosé sparkling wine is especially lovely here, as its subtle berry notes naturally complement the strawberries without masking the violet.

Adding a splash of Empress gin creates a more aromatic strawberry violet gin spritz, while omitting it produces a lighter, wine-forward crème de violette spritz that’s equally refreshing.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make This Strawberry Violet Spritz

One of the best things about this strawberry spritz with Crème de Violette is that it requires only a handful of ingredients, yet each one plays an important role. Choosing fresh, ripe strawberries and a dry sparkling wine will give you the most balanced flavour.

Fresh strawberries. The star of the cocktail. Ripe, sweet strawberries provide natural fruit flavour, colour, and just enough sweetness to complement the floral notes.
Crème de Violette. A bar spoon is enough to add delicate floral character, although you can increase the amount slightly if you prefer a more pronounced violet flavour.
Fresh lemon juice. A small amount brightens the cocktail and balances both the strawberries and the floral liqueur.
Sparkling wine. Dry sparkling wine keeps the drink crisp and refreshing. I especially enjoy using a dry rosé sparkling wine because its subtle berry notes pair beautifully with the strawberries.
Gin (optional). A splash of gin adds botanical complexity without overwhelming the sparkling wine. Empress gin is an excellent choice thanks to its floral botanicals and naturally vibrant colour.
Ice. Chills the cocktail while keeping it refreshing.
Optional garnish. Fresh strawberries, edible flowers, or a twist of lemon all make attractive garnishes.

What Kind of Sparkling Wine Works Best?

Almost any dry sparkling wine can be used for this strawberry violet spritz, so there’s no need to buy an expensive bottle. The strawberries and Crème de Violette provide plenty of flavour, while the wine contributes freshness, acidity, and lively bubbles.

Prosecco. Crisp, fruity, and the classic choice for many spritzes.
Rosé sparkling wine. My favourite option for this recipe. Its subtle berry character complements the strawberries particularly well.
Cava. Usually a little drier and more citrus-forward, making it an excellent choice if you prefer a less fruity cocktail.
Crémant. Elegant, balanced, and often great value for the price.
Champagne. A wonderful option for special occasions, although certainly not necessary.

Whenever possible, choose a Brut or Extra Brut style rather than a sweeter sparkling wine. The dryness helps balance the strawberries and floral liqueur, resulting in a more refreshing strawberry sparkling wine cocktail.

How to Make a Strawberry Violet Gin Spritz

Muddle the strawberries directly in a wine glass until they release their juices, then stir in the Crème de Violette and fresh lemon juice. If you’d like a more botanical cocktail, add a splash of gin. Fill the glass with ice, top with chilled sparkling wine, and stir gently to combine. Garnish with a fresh strawberry, a lemon twist, or edible flowers, and serve immediately while the bubbles are still lively.

Can I Make This Without Sparkling Wine?

Absolutely. While sparkling wine defines a traditional spritz, the same flavour combination works beautifully in several other styles of cocktails.

With club soda. Replace the sparkling wine with chilled club soda for a lighter, lower-alcohol drink that highlights the strawberries and violet.
With tonic water. Tonic introduces gentle bitterness that pairs surprisingly well with the floral notes.
As a gin highball. Increase the gin slightly and top with soda water for a more botanical cocktail with a similar flavour profile.
As a still cocktail. Shake the strawberries, Crème de Violette, lemon juice, and gin with ice, strain into a chilled coupe, and serve without bubbles for a more spirit-forward drink.

Although each variation is delicious, sparkling wine gives this strawberry violet spritz its signature light, celebratory character.

I Don’t Have Crème de Violette. What Other Liqueur Can I Use?

Crème de Violette gives this strawberry violet spritz its signature floral aroma, but don’t worry if you can’t find a bottle locally. While nothing tastes exactly the same, several other liqueurs create equally delicious variations on this sparkling cocktail.

Elderflower liqueur. Probably the best substitute. It offers delicate floral notes with a touch of honey and pairs beautifully with strawberries and sparkling wine.
Crème de cassis. Rich blackcurrant flavours create a fruitier, deeper cocktail with a gorgeous ruby colour.
Crème de framboise. Raspberry liqueur reinforces the berry profile while keeping the drink fresh and summery.
Parfait Amour. Floral and citrusy with hints of vanilla, this classic purple liqueur makes an interesting alternative if you enjoy aromatic cocktails.
Maraschino liqueur. Drier than the other options, with subtle cherry and almond notes that work surprisingly well with fresh strawberries.
Rose liqueur. If you enjoy floral cocktails, rose is another elegant pairing with strawberries and sparkling wine, although the result will be quite different from the original recipe.

If you don’t mind making a non-alcoholic substitution, homemade violet syrup or even a small amount of lavender syrup can provide floral character. Just remember that syrups are generally sweeter than liqueurs, so you may want to reduce the quantity slightly or add a little extra lemon juice to keep the cocktail balanced.

Tips for Balancing Violet Notes in Cocktails

Floral liqueurs are wonderfully fragrant, but they can easily dominate a drink if used too generously. Fortunately, a few simple tricks will help you create a balanced strawberry violet spritz every time.

Start small. Begin with a bar spoon of Crème de Violette and add more only if needed.
Use ripe strawberries. Naturally sweet berries help soften the floral notes.
Don’t skip the lemon juice. Acidity brightens the cocktail and prevents it from tasting overly sweet or perfumed.
Choose a dry sparkling wine. Brut or Extra Brut styles provide enough acidity to balance both the fruit and the floral liqueur.
Add gin thoughtfully. A small splash enhances the botanicals, while too much can overshadow the strawberries and sparkling wine.
Taste before topping up. Adjust the floral liqueur or lemon juice before adding the sparkling wine, as it’s much easier to fine-tune the flavour at that stage.

The goal isn’t to make the violet the dominant flavour. Instead, it should gently support the strawberries, adding elegance and complexity without overwhelming the cocktail.

Serving and Garnishing Suggestions

This strawberry gin spritz with violet is at its best served immediately after pouring, while the sparkling wine is lively and the fruit is at its freshest.

For an elegant presentation, consider one or two of these simple garnishes:

Fresh strawberry. A whole berry or a sliced strawberry reinforces the main flavour.
Edible violet flowers. A beautiful seasonal garnish if available.
Lemon twist. Adds brightness and a fresh citrus aroma.
Fresh mint. Introduces a cooling herbal note that complements both the berries and the violet.
Large ice cubes. They melt more slowly, helping keep the cocktail chilled without excessive dilution.

This strawberry violet spritz with gin pairs wonderfully with light appetizers, cheese boards, fresh fruit, shortbread cookies, and delicate desserts, making it an excellent choice for brunches, bridal showers, afternoon gatherings, or summer evenings on the patio.

More Violet and Floral Drink Recipes

If you enjoy this strawberry gin spritz with violet liqueur, you might also like some of my other floral-inspired drinks featuring Crème de Violette, rose, or lavender.

I’d love for you to try sparkling gin spritz with strawberry and violet. 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!

strawberry violet cocktail with crème de violette