Purple Pear Martini

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (20 ratings)

Serve in a Martini glass

Ingredients:
34 oz Bison grass vodka
34 oz Poire William eau-de-vie
34 oz Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette Liqueur
1 oz Aromatized wine (e.g. Lillet Blanc)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Martini glass.
  2. Prepare garnish of pear slice.
  3. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 8/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10

Review:

Depending on your choice crème de violete, both in hue and flavour, this floral cocktail suits its name.

View readers' comments

History:

Created in 2002 by yours truly.

Nutrition:

One serving of Purple Pear Martini contains 222 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 22.96% alc./vol. (22.96° proof)
  • 22.4 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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David Hoyle’s Avatar David Hoyle
16th September 2024 at 20:21
I used an older version recipe (Difford 15th Edition) which still includes 15 ml
lime juice. Used Briottet Violet. For me, the Bison Grass Vodka flavour predominates - and not in a positive way. However, all flavours are subjective! I assume omitting the lime makes for a slightly sweeter drink. The colour is grey - a factual and rather classy colour that gives no hint of the inherent flavour. Certainly an intriguing combo of flavours, and if folks like Bison Grass it's a possible winner.
John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
19th July 2024 at 14:02
Revisiting after an extended gap, and with a much nicer pear liquor - massenez poire Williams in this instance. I also used Cocchi Americano as it’s what I had open. I think this helped overcome the tendency for the violette to predominate.
Annabelle Egginton ’s Avatar Annabelle Egginton
3rd December 2023 at 19:59
Interesting combination and not something I would have regularly. I do find the crème de violette is slightly overpowering but it’s very floral and you can’t get away from the distinctive taste.However, it’s a go to when you want to get away from the usual cocktail. Definitely drink to have on a summers evening, or when eating a custard pastry or even a pear tarte?
Johan Alexandersson’s Avatar Johan Alexandersson
13th October 2023 at 19:03
Why the shake?
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
15th October 2023 at 09:53
Sorry. I corrected above and meant to comment, "It should be stirred." You can see how easily I mistake stirring and shaking when typing!
John CARR’s Avatar John CARR
11th September 2023 at 11:26
Interesting flavour combination. Tried with both Tempus fugit and Giffard violettes. More peary flavour with TF, more aromatic and overall better tasting for me with Giffard - and much purpler of course. As a pear fan, one exploité further. Used Weis Williams pear eau de vie which I normally drink neat from the freezer.
John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
24th July 2023 at 00:42
Very intense in colour and flavour. Made exactly to recipe and found it delightful. I do think the brand of Creme de Violette will greatly impact the floral tones of this cocktail.
Melissa Demian’s Avatar Melissa Demian
1st July 2022 at 22:15
I made this because I thought it would be awful - my usual Friday night wild risk-taking. It's actually very nice, somewhat to my surprise, but would need to take the crème de violette down a smidge for the next one so that it isn't quite so redolent of grandparent. Might also try lime juice per the suggestion below.
4th April 2022 at 09:53
Used Kina L'Aero in place of Lillet Blanc. A very unusual, deep flavoured cocktail, well liked by all. Next time will add some lime juice as suggested below.
Walter Brookbank’s Avatar Walter Brookbank
12th February 2022 at 14:35
Very nice sophisticated cocktail for slowly sipping. I added a 1/2 oz of lime juice which cleaned it up for me.