Tag Archive: Crème Yvette

Aug 11

Crème Yvette Spritzer

According to Wikipedia, a Spritzer is a … a … uhh, well, nobody knows exactly what a spritzer is for sure!  About the only consensus is that it contains carbonated water and some type of alcoholic spirit.  We could spend all day debating this, or we could cut to the chase and make an awesome new drink.  YES!  Let’s do that!

Crème Yvette

Crème Yvette

Crème Yvette  is a unique liquor that disappeared from the marketplace around 1969.  Fortunately for us, it made its triumphant return in 2010.  Since then, Crème Yvette has been spreading across the US starting from East and West Coasts.

The taste is quite unique since it contains berry mash, violet petals, honey and a touch of orange peel.  Read about the taste and history at the Crème Yvette Web Site.

The strange thing about recipes that include this liquor is how little Yvette they use.  Here’s a quick rundown:

Aviation Cocktail:  1/4 oz
Blue Moon: 1/2 oz
The Stratosphere: 1/4 oz
The Perpetual: 4 dashes
Pousse-café: Thin layer among other liquors

Perhaps Yvette was a tough lass to find even in the good old days!  I propose to use a generous amount to make a surprisingly well-balanced drink…

The Creme Yvette Spritzer

Crème Yvette Spritzer

Crème Yvette Spritzer

1 1/2 oz Crème Yvette

1/4 oz Cointreau

1/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

Soda Water (Seltzer) to fill a tall glass.

Directions:

Add all ingredients (except seltzer) to a tall glass.  Add ice and stir.  Once chilled, slowly stir in the seltzer water.  Garnish with a berry if available.  Alternately, the ingredients could be shaken with ice, poured over fresh ice and then seltzer added. This approach tends to emulsify the fruit juice – even though there’s only 1/4 ounce used.

Discussion:

This drink is very refreshing, subtle and showcases the Crème Yvette well.  I think you’ll agree that there’s no reason to force in 2 ounces of Gin or other liquor.  Everyone knows how to make Gin drinks – but sometimes we just need some quality time with Yvette!