With its roots set in the early twentieth century, this hazy purple cocktail was one of the first printed in Ensslin’s book, Recipes for Mixed Drinks, head bartender of Hotel Wallick in New York. Simple, sweet, and easy to make, this gin-based classic has been a favorite through the ages. The core ingredient that gives the drink its mild but characteristic mysterious and pale blue violet color is Crème de Violette, a purple spirit that balances the sourness of gin. You can also substitute the Crème de Violette with Crème Yvette which achieves a similar flavor and hue.