Toulouse

Friday, February 3, 2012


Crème de Violette is an unusual cocktail ingredient, but its almost unearthly color is irresistible. It pairs best with delicate base spirits like dry gin and vodka, and while the most famous Crème de Violette cocktail is the Aviation, John and I have been experimenting with the Yale Cocktail, the Attention and this Toulouse tippler, a truly delicious libation!


Toulouse

1 1/2 oz vodka
3/4 oz Crème de Violette
1/4 oz vanilla liqueur 
1 tsp absinthe or pastis 

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake for 5-10 seconds, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. 

Notes: For the beginner absinthe drinker, try simply "washing" the glass in the spirit, rather than shaking it in the drink. To wash, place a small amount of absinthe or pastis at the bottom of the glass and swirl, coating all surfaces, then pour out any excess. I still like my cocktails lighter on the absinthe than John does. 

The Crème de Violette is a must have in this cocktail, but you can substitute vanilla liqueur for a heady, vanilla-infused syrup that will be as delicious in this cocktail as it will drizzled over French toast the morning after.

Cheers!


Photo by Romulo Yanes for Gourmet.

27 comments:

  1. Oooo La La! Toulouse is such a magical place and this drink looks just as magical. Is it strange that it's making me thirsty? I hate to admit it but I do love me some drinks on Friday.

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  2. Oh! and your description. If someone read this to me at a restaurant I'd take a whole bottle of this. Perfection!

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  3. How dreamy! French Toast....Now you're talking!! Happy Weekend Miss Lena!

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  4. This is the prettiest drink I've ever seen!

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  5. SOOO Moulin Rouge! Have an awesome weekend!

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  6. Oh goodness the color is gorgeous. Have a great weekend, Lena.

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  7. yum, I am definitely trying this!!

    Thanks for the new cocktail!

    XOXO

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  8. the color of this drink is amazing... i'm sure it tastes delicious as well!

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  9. Ooh I'm so curious! This looks delicious... and so pretty :)

    Have a lovely weekend, Lena!

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  10. Is it weird that I love the color?

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  11. a little absinthe always makes for a good time

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  12. well it's certainly pretty enough. have a great weekend lena. :)

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  13. Ooh la la. Love - we're in cocktail mode these days. :)

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  14. I find myself packing up and heading to the liquor store after every single Friday post of yours! I will try out this lovely tonight, my grey and dreary weekend needs a shot of luscious color like this!
    xo

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  15. Once again, I want one right now!

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  16. LOOKS DELICIOUS OMG.

    You have to come to this bar in Fort Worth next time you're out this way. It's next to my office, but that's only 1/4 of the reason it's the best bar in DFW. They're total mixologists and you'll LOVE IT.

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  17. i love the idea of "washing" the glass - what a great concept. not sure i could take any more absinthe ;) have a great weekend, doll!
    xo

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  18. What a stunning color...and it must smell divine too.

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  19. Absinthe and vanilla liqueur! Sign me up! xo style, she wrote

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  20. That looks beautiful!!! I love ordering drinks by color...it fascinates me! =)

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  21. That is such a cool looking cocktail...how elegant!

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  22. Does it have a floral flavor? My MIL brings back this violet liquer back from Paris that we love to mix with champagne, but we couldnt' find it anywhere while we were in Paris and no one seemed to know what I was talking about when I asked around. Perhaps it was my French ;)

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  23. You guys are awesome. And this drink looks deeeeelish.

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