Since I didn't get to post last week what with the 12 Day of St. Paddy's, I thought I would double up and give you two cocktails this week. I have managed to visit Town Talk Diner a couple of time in the past two weeks and both times was delighted with a cocktail that involved Rothman & Winter's Creme de Violette. Made in Austria, this amazing liqueur is a deep purple and is subtly infused with the heady aroma of fresh violets from the Alps. Macerated in Weinbrand (brandy from grapes or wine) and mixed with a touch of cane sugar for sweetness, this is a must try!Town Talk Diner is a fantastic Minneapolis find for anyone into cocktails. Truly a gourmet cocktail experience, Town Talk specializes in more uncommon spirits and makes many of their own ingredients, including housemade ginger beer and a dizzying array of handcrafted bitters (drink menu).
On my first trip, I tried the Aviator, which was delicious if you're in the mood for gin (which I was). At Town Talk, they shake it with shaved ice and it rides the line between a frozen drink and a martini. The Creme de Violette gives it a translucent, sky blue hue and the subtle scent of violet blends beautifully with the pine-ish overtones of the gin.
On my next visit, I went all in with the Violette and ordered the Violette Crush. A delightful blend of Vodka and mangosteen juice, the Violette gives it a fabulous color palette and delightful floral scent. Mild and slightly sweet, this one packs a punch but goes down very smoothly. Here are my approximations of the recipes.
Aviation Cocktail:
2 oz gin
1/2 oz maraschino dry cherry liqueur
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz Creme de Violette
dash orange bitters
Shake with ice, strain
Violette Crush:
2 oz vodka
1 oz mangosteen juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz Creme de Violette
selzer water
dash orange bitters
- Pour Violette on bottom of glass, shake other ingredients with ice and strain into glass for layered effect
Cheers!
