The Spirit World

Well, here we are at Valentine’s Day again!  And once again I find myself drawn to the liqueur with the name so very suited to this day, Parfait Amour.  This French liqueur is really just a fancy-pants version of Curaçao but its violet color and flowery almost marshmallow scent and feel are not to be dismissed lightly. 

I think what amazes me most is how our mind connects certain colors to certain flavors and somehow, no matter what the truth actually is, that association can be so strong that it impacts what people actually taste! Curaçao, as you probably know, is an orange-flavored liqueur.  Parfait Amour brings a bit more to the table with the addition of hints of vanilla, rose petals and almonds.  Some versions use violets instead of the rose petals.  The most common brand available here in the U.S. only mentions Seville oranges, orange blossoms and vanilla pods. 

Yet I have seen people describe the flavor as grape and even found a reference today that suggested using Parfait Amour in place of lavender!  What were they thinking?  Just because a spirit is purple or lavender colored does not mean it has the flavor of anything purple! 

I also find it very interesting that so many drinks made with Parfait Amour take names that play on that concept.  So you’ll find a Love Bite, Be Sweet, Frosty Amour, and Midnight Liaison.  Unfortunately this drink’s name does not fall into that category instead focusing on the orange flavors with the hint of vanilla that follows.  And for all you purists out there, yes we know this is not a martini but we didn’t create it and this is what whoever did create it called it, okay?

Unfortunately, the Parfait Amour is rather overwhelmed, color-wise, by the other ingredients so the drink has just the lightest hint of pink. I guess that’s okay as it means that even a man can hold this cocktail without feeling too girly. With all of the perfume essences you might be fooled into thinking this is a tame little cocktail.  But you’d be wrong… 

Neapolitan Martini

• 1 oz Vanilla Vodka
• 1 oz Orange Vodka
• 1/2 oz Grand Marnier
• 1/2 oz Parfait Amour
• Splash of lime juice

Fill a shaker full of ice. Add all ingredients and shake until chilled. Pour into chilled martini glass.