Stormy Morning Cocktail – Click here to see more Food Photography
I first encountered the Stormy Morning on my birthday last year in New Orleans at my favorite restaurant, The Bayona on Dauphine St. in the French Quarter. We arrived early for our reservation and I ordered a Stormy Morning from the drink menu while waiting for our table, intrigued by the mention of Créme de Violette. This drink gets its dramatic presence from the floral scented and violet colored liquor swirling and tumbling to the bottom as the champagne fizzles to the top. After getting back home from the trip I began acquiring its uncommonly used ingredients, and we’ve recreated this lovely beverage several times over. (Recipe below)
1.5 oz Rathman Créme de Violette
1.5 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1 oz fresh lime juice
4 oz Champagne
Lime wedges to garnish
Pour the creme de violette over ice. Add St. Germain and lime juice and top off with Champagne.
(Recipe by Shannon Fristoe of The Bayona – recently published in Saveur magazine)
For another weather themed, colorfully layered beverage, see one of our most popular posts, the Dark and Stormy Cocktail.
how would you describe the taste? it looks beautiful and refreshing!
It’s got a very slight floral scent from the Violette, and only a slight sweetness from the St. Germain (which tastes a lot like lychees, if you’ve ever had them). The champagne bubbles and the lime juice balance out elderflower liquor, which is a little syrupy on its own. Definitely a refreshing, cheerful and unique taste that’s hard to compare to anything else! We usually say it tastes like Spring in a glass.
I had this drink at Bayonna two weeks ago and wanted to make it, but could not remember all the ingredients. Thanks for the posting. We loved the garlic soup, the sweetbreads and the crispy quail.
Glad we could help! Next time we go we have to try the garlic soup!
Is Susan Spicer still chef at Bayona? Love that place!!!!
Isn’t it great?? When we were there last, she was in the process of leaving to open up her new restaurant Mondo. What’s your favorite dish at Bayona? Have you had the duck sandwich with cashew-butter and pepper jelly? Crazy good!
Susan is still the Chef at Bayona and works actively in the kitchen!
We are so glad to hear Susan Spicer is still there! We have her cookbook and it’s amazing. She’s my hero!
I had this drink in August 2011 for my birthday too! I sat next to Mr Frank Ruiz, what a character! I cant find the creme de violette in Michigan and I cant understand why!
Hi Sarah! We had to go on a little quest to find Crème de Violette in the Philadelphia area too. Not everyone has it unfortunately. I really hope you locate it soon so you can relive your lovely birthday drink! There really is no substitute for the Violette if you want that same floral mystique. Keep us posted if you finally locate it in time for your birthday this year! Cheers!
I’m looking for an ombre libation for a baby shower and found this on Google. Very beautiful and looks very simple to recreate. Could you recommend something to make this drink pink instead of purple?
Hi Natasha! You can probably try Crème de Cassis instead of Crème de Violette. It’s a dark ruby color but if you add just a little bit to champagne, it will bloom a lovely shade of pink. Check out our Kir Royale post to see more of Crème de Cassis in action.
Thank you so much!
love Bayona. love the Stormy Morning. thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for visiting, Janice! What’s your favorite dish at the Bayona?
This drink looks amazing and I cannot wait to try it at home. Thanks for the suggestion!
Ash @ Denver Limousine