A Violet Gimlet is a refreshing floral gin cocktail made with Empress 1908 Gin, fresh lime juice, and Crème de Violette. Bright, botanical, and lightly sweet, this elegant purple cocktail is perfect for spring and summer entertaining. If you’re looking for an easy Empress 1908 Gin cocktail or a creative cocktail with Crème de Violette, this violet gin gimlet delivers plenty of flavour with only a handful of ingredients.
Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well!
Today I’m sharing another cocktail featuring one of my favourite ingredients: Crème de Violette. While this floral liqueur is best known for its role in the Aviation, it also works beautifully in simpler cocktails. In this Violet Gimlet, it adds a delicate floral aroma and a lovely purple hue while allowing the gin and lime to remain front and centre. So, let’s dive into this beautiful purple gin cocktail.
Why You’ll Love This Violet Gimlet with Empress 1908 Gin
There are plenty of reasons to give this floral gin cocktail a try.
- Beautiful colour – The combination of Empress 1908 Gin and Crème de Violette creates an eye-catching purple cocktail.
- Easy to make – Only a handful of ingredients are required.
- Balanced flavour – Bright lime balances the floral sweetness.
- Elegant presentation – Perfect for entertaining or special occasions.
- Customizable – Easy to adjust the floral intensity to suit your taste.
- Perfect for summer – Crisp, refreshing, and easy to enjoy on a warm day.
What Is a Gimlet?
Before we talk about the violet version, it helps to understand the Gimlet itself.
The Gimlet is one of the world’s most famous gin cocktails. At its simplest, it combines gin, lime, and a touch of sweetness. The result is a cocktail that is crisp, citrus-forward, and highly refreshing.
Although the exact history is debated, the Gimlet is often associated with the British Royal Navy. Sailors were encouraged to consume lime juice to help prevent scurvy, and combining it with spirits made the medicine considerably more appealing. Over time, the combination evolved into the cocktail we know today.
Modern Gimlets vary considerably. Some use lime cordial, while others rely entirely on fresh lime juice and simple syrup. Ratios also vary from bar to bar, with some versions leaning sharper and drier while others emphasize sweetness.
A Violet Gimlet builds on this classic foundation by introducing Crème de Violette. The floral liqueur adds aroma, colour, and a subtle sweetness while preserving the refreshing character that makes a Gimlet so enjoyable.
Key Gimlet Components
Every Gimlet relies on three essential elements.
- Gin – Provides botanical complexity and structure.
- Lime juice – Contributes acidity and freshness.
- Sweetener – Balances the citrus and rounds out the cocktail.
How a Gimlet Compares to Other Classic Cocktails
The Gimlet belongs to a larger family of citrus-based cocktails. Understanding these relationships helps explain why the drink tastes the way it does.
Gin Sour
A Gin Sour combines gin, lemon juice, and sweetener. Many versions also include egg white. Compared with a Gimlet, it tends to be softer and slightly richer.
Daisy
A Daisy usually includes a spirit, citrus juice, orange liqueur, and sometimes soda water. This creates a more complex and fruit-forward cocktail than a traditional Gimlet.
Aviation
The Aviation combines gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and Crème de Violette. It is arguably the most famous cocktail featuring Crème de Violette and offers a more aromatic and complex drinking experience than a Violet Gimlet.
What Does Crème de Violette Taste Like?
Crème de Violette is one of those ingredients that can be difficult to describe until you’ve tasted it.
Despite the name, it is not overwhelmingly sweet. Instead, it delivers a distinct floral aroma that many people associate with violet candies or spring flowers.
Its flavour can generally be described as:
- Floral
- Lightly sweet
- Fragrant
- Delicate
- Highly aromatic
A small amount can dramatically change a cocktail. In a Violet Gimlet, it contributes colour and aroma without overpowering the lime or gin.
Violet Gimlet: A Quick Look at the Key Ingredients
These two ingredients give this cocktail its unique personality.
Crème de Violette
Crème de Violette is a floral liqueur made from violet flowers. Although it was once difficult to find, it has become much more common thanks to renewed interest in classic cocktails. Its distinctive floral flavour and vibrant colour make it a favourite ingredient in cocktails such as the Aviation and Violet Gimlet.
Empress 1908 Gin
Empress 1908 Gin is known for its striking indigo colour and botanical profile. Distilled with ingredients such as juniper, citrus, coriander, rose, and butterfly pea blossom, it provides an excellent foundation for floral cocktails. The botanical notes complement the violet liqueur particularly well while creating a beautiful colour in the finished drink.
Flavour Profile
This Empress 1908 Gin Gimlet strikes a balance between floral elegance and refreshing citrus.
- Lime juice – Bright, crisp, and refreshing.
- Empress 1908 Gin – Botanical and aromatic.
- Crème de Violette – Floral and lightly sweet.
- Honey syrup – Adds a softer finish than simple syrup.
- Texture – Light, silky, and refreshing.
Why Empress 1908 Gin Works So Well in a Violet Gimlet
Many gins can be used in this recipe, but Empress 1908 Gin offers several advantages.
First, its botanical profile naturally complements the floral character of Crème de Violette. Rather than competing with the liqueur, the gin helps support and enhance those delicate floral notes.
Second, the colour is simply stunning. While the Crème de Violette contributes its own hue, Empress adds another visual dimension that makes the finished cocktail particularly attractive.
Finally, the gin remains assertive enough to maintain balance. Even when using a slightly more generous amount of Crème
Adjusting Botanical and Floral Flavours to Your Taste
One of the most enjoyable aspects of this cocktail is how easily it can be customized.
Some people prefer floral flavours to remain subtle, while others enjoy a more pronounced violet character. Neither approach is right or wrong.
If you enjoy stronger floral notes, consider:
- Increasing the Crème de Violette slightly
- Using Empress 1908 Gin
- Using honey syrup instead of simple syrup
If you prefer a sharper and more traditional Gimlet profile, consider:
- Reducing the Crème de Violette
- Skipping the sweetener
- Allowing the lime to take centre stage
Personally, I found that I preferred a slightly more generous pour of Crème de Violette than many published recipes recommend. The additional floral character worked beautifully without overwhelming the cocktail.
How to Make a Violet Gimlet Cocktail
Making a gimlet with violet liqueur could not be much easier. Simply combine the gin, lime juice, Crème de Violette, and optional honey syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until thoroughly chilled, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Variations
One of the advantages of a violet gimlet is how adaptable it can be.
Honey Violet Gimlet
Replace simple syrup with honey syrup for a softer and slightly more floral finish. This is my preferred variation.
Extra-Floral Violet Gimlet
Increase the Crème de Violette slightly if you enjoy more pronounced floral flavours.
London Dry Violet Gimlet
Using a classic London Dry Gin creates a more juniper-forward cocktail. Depending on the gin, you may wish to slightly increase the Crème de Violette or sweetener to maintain balance.
Contemporary Gin Violet Gimlet
Modern botanical gins can produce a softer and more aromatic cocktail. In some cases, reducing the Crème de Violette slightly may create a better balance.
Vodka Violet Gimlet
Substitute vodka for gin to create a cleaner and lighter cocktail where the violet and lime become the dominant flavours.
Sparkling Violet Gimlet
Top the finished cocktail with a splash of club soda or sparkling water for a lighter and more refreshing variation.
More Floral Cocktail Recipes
If you enjoy this violet gin gimlet, you may also enjoy some of these other floral cocktails from Havoc in the Kitchen:
- Violet Mojito – A Floral Twist with Crème de Violette
- Rhubarb Violet Sour – A Floral Gin Cocktail with Crème de Violette
- Violet Coffee Cocktail with Dark Rum and Crème de Violette
- Violet Cocktail with Crème de Violette – Elegant Floral Drink
- Lavender Violet Cocktail – A Floral Drink with Crème de Violette
I’d love for you to try this Empress 1908 gin gimlet. 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!
Violet Gimlet
Violet Gimlet is a crisp and refreshing floral gin cocktail made with Empress 1908 Gin, fresh lime juice, and Crème de Violette.
