Crème de violette, a liqueur made by macerating flowers, suggests a ladylike Paris salon of yore. But its primary application is in a suave cocktail — the futuristically named the aviation — made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette and lemon juice. Not long ago the violet elixir was hard to find. Now there are imports, and a version from the Golden Moon Distillery in Golden, Colo., which specializes in herbal spirits. Theirs is pale lavender, aromatic and a trifle sweet.
Golden Moon Crème de Violette, $38 for 750 milliliters, Duke’s Liquor Box, 114 Franklin Street (Noble Street), Greenpoint, Brooklyn, 347-534-3088, dukesliquorbox.com.
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