Crème Yvette is a French liqueur that can be difficult to find.
In this article, you will learn what Crème Yvette is and what the best alternatives are to it.
Quick answer:
- Crème de Violette and Parfait d’Amour are both violet liqueurs that can be used instead of Crème Yvette.
- Violet syrup, violet gin and Crème de Cassis are also good substitutes for Crème Yvette.
Contents
What is Crème Yvette?
Crème Yvette—sometimes known as Creme d’Yvette or Creme de Yvette—is a liqueur made from blackberries, raspberries, blackcurrants and wild strawberries, blended with dried violet petals from Provence, France.
It also has hints of orange peel, honey and vanilla.
What does Crème Yvette taste like?
Creme Yvette is a berry-flavored liqueur that has a sweet, floral flavor.
Who makes Crème Yvette?
Originally, Crème Yvette was produced by Charles Jacquin et Cie in Philadelphia, but production stopped in 1969.
Today, Crème Yvette is made near Bordeaux in France by The Cooper Spirits Co.
Crème Yvette is a high-quality product made from natural ingredients.
Crème Yvette substitutes
As a cocktail aficionado, with many years of experience making cocktails, I am lucky enough to live in France and have access to Crème Yvette and other French liqueurs.
So, I can heartily recommend the following alternatives:
1. Crème de Violette
Crème de Violette is a French liqueur made from a combination of violets and a brandy or spirit base. It is violet/purple in color, has a floral aroma and a fruity taste.
It can be served as an after-dinner liqueur and is a popular ingredient in cocktails, like the Aviation and the Blue Moon.
Most recipes requiring Crème Yvette can be substituted for Crème de Violette.
2. Parfait d’Amour
Parfait d’Amour is another liqueur. It is often used in cocktails primarily for its purple color and is usually created from a curaçao liqueur base.
There are different versions of Parfait d’Amour and not all are made using violets. So, check the ingredients and flavor profile before you buy.
Bols Parfait d’Amour is a blend of roses and violets with orange peel extract and is made with natural botanicals. Purple in color, it makes another excellent substitute for Crème Yvette.
3. Crème de Cassis
Crème de Cassis is a French liqueur made with blackcurrants. It is served as an after-dinner liqueur and is an ingredient in cocktails, such as Kir Royale.
The main ingredient or flavor of Crème de Cassis is blackcurrant. It is made from crushed blackcurrants soaked in alcohol, with added sugar.
Crème de Cassis can be a good substitute for Crème Yvette, as it has a similar flavor profile – both have a sweet, fruity flavor.
It is, however, a different color to Crème Yvette – dark red rather than the purple/blue hue of Crème Yvette. So, you will need to bear that in mind and whether it will work well for your recipe.
4. Violet syrup
Violet syrup is an excellent non-alcoholic alternative to Crème Yvette. You will achieve the sweet violet flavor without the alcohol. It’s easy to find and there are many brands to choose from, like Monin.
To make a homemade violet simple syrup:
- Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Add a few sprigs of fresh violets and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer for 15 minutes, stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
- Strain the syrup and allow to cool.
Add a dash of Brandy or a neutral spirit to your cocktail, like vodka, for a more accurate alcoholic Crème Yvette substitute.
5. Violet gin
Violet gin can be a good substitute for Crème Yvette in some circumstances.
If you want to make the Aviation cocktail and you don’t have Crème Yvette or Crème de Violette, but you really want it to have the blue/purple hue to it, then violet gin can be a good substitute.
The Aviation is made with gin. So, use violet gin where the recipe calls for gin, and use double Maraschino or Kirsch liqueur to make up for the lack of Crème Yvette.
Most recipes call for .25 ounce of each, so you would use .5 ounce of Maraschino instead.
If that sounds like too much cherry flavor for your liking, you can split the difference, meaning substitute the missing Crème Yvette with half Maraschino and half gin.
Crème Yvette non-alcoholic substitutes
If you are looking for a non-alcoholic alternative to Crème Yvette there are a couple of options you can try.
Violet syrup: violet syrup, as outlined above makes an excellent substitute.
Violet extract: violet extract has a concentrated violet flavor. Use it sparingly in recipes to add violet color and aromas without alcohol.
Violet tea: If you can get your hands on it, violet tea made with dried violet petals can be used to substitute Creme Yvette.
Brew some violet tea to add violet flavors and aromas to cocktails and other recipes.
Sugar syrup and food coloring: Add purple/violet food coloring to some sugar syrup. It won’t have the violet aromas and flavors, but it will replicate the color and sweetness of Crème Yvette.
FAQ
Is Crème Yvette the same as Crème de Violette?
They are not exactly the same, but they are both violet liqueurs and, generally speaking, you can substitute one for the other in recipes.
What is in Crème Yvette?
Crème Yvette is a liqueur made from violet petals, blackberries, red raspberries, strawberries, cassis, orange peel, and honey.
What is a good violet liqueur?
Crème Yvette, Crème de Violette and Parfait d’Amour are all good violet liqueurs to try.
There are different versions of Parfait d’Amour and not all are made using violets. So, check the ingredients and flavor profile before you buy.
Can I make The Aviation cocktail without Crème de Violette?
Yes, you can make The Aviation without Crème de Violette. Use Crème Yvette instead.
If you want to make the Aviation cocktail and you don’t have Crème Yvette or Crème de Violette, but you really want it to have the blue/purple hue to it, use violet gin or violet syrup instead.
What Cocktails can you make with Crème Yvette?
Crème Yvette is an ingredient referenced in a number of historic works.
Cocktails made from Crème Yvette have enjoyed a revival due to an interest and desire to make authentic vintage cocktails.
Cocktails made with Crème Yvette include:
- The Blue Moon
- The Dewey Cocktail
- The Submarine Kiss
- The Defender
- The Perpetual
- The Lone Heart
- The Yvette Cocktail
- The Aviation
Read with confidence: I am WSET L2 Award in Spirits & Diagio Bar Academy certified.
