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Arsenic & Old Lace
Temperature and dilution are key to the success of this finely balanced Martini-style cocktail. Originally a shaken cocktail, it benefits from a splash...
Stephen Broughall
3rd September at 23:53
Solid addition to a martini repertoire. I made for two, scaling proportions at 1.5 which went over well. Next time will just do a very light rinse or mist with the absinthe so as not to overpower the creme de violette. A dash of orange bitters also works.
12th September at 18:35
I agree - the absinthe is a touch too powerful. I would reduce it a smidge (technical term) and slightly increase the crème de violette.
30th August at 19:36
I thought this a delicious combination of floral, herbal and even salty elements; my partner thought it very odd, particularly the combination of the more "muscular" elements of the martini with the violet.
28th August at 19:12
Very nice! However, next batch I'm substituting Elderflower liquor for the Creme de Viotette, since elderberry was of course the preferred method of dispatch employed by the Brewster ladies. With luck, we won't end up in the Panama Canal. Charge!!!!
28th August at 18:41
What a beautiful coupe in the pictures! Can you tell us where we can purchase those? My husband prefers smaller cocktails (he’s a light-weight), especially in a beautiful Nick-and-Nora type of glass.
Thanks!
Thanks!
29th August at 11:54
It's a vintage glass from my collection. Keep a look out in antique shops.
1st March 2025 at 21:23
Is the amount of creme de violette perhaps a typo? Should probably be 1/2 oz, not 1/12, I think.
2nd March 2025 at 09:21
1/12 oz is correct and is equal to 2.5ml (approx. 1/4 a barspoon). Metric measures are more straightforward. Please click on "measures & measuring" under the recipe above for more info.
16th November 2022 at 00:03
Is the Gaige citation correct? The recipe is quite different in proportions.
21st August 2021 at 00:05
Did take one of Nanda Sandhu's recommendations and did an additional spray of absinthe on the top. It did get rid a little of the violet floral taste, with it remaining in the background.
16th July 2021 at 16:07
I've been making these with a variation with a spray of orange bitters and a spray of absinthe at the end.
6th June 2021 at 06:04
Particularly if you are making a mini-version (half quantities) be very careful with the absinthe and creme de violette quantities, as this is critical to the balance of this flavoursome cocktail