This fabulous looking cocktail has a fairly recent history

In 2010, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton. He gave her a 12-carat sapphire engagement ring. James Beard award winner Charlotte Voisey commemorated this wedding with a coctail that has the same hue as this stunning ring.

The Blue Diamond is a gin based cocktail, It gets its amazong deep blue color from a combo of crème de violette and blue curacao. Creme de violette is a purple violet liqueur that is best known to color the Aviation. The blue curacao is an orange liquer, much like triple sec, but has been colored blue, lighter blue than this drink. Adding the purple of the violette gives its the deeep blue.

Lemon is added to cut the sweetness of the liquers, and then topped with a nice Champagne to give it some bubbles. It really is a variant on the Aviation, one of my favorite cocktails.

BLUE DIAMOND

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 oz Creme De Violette
• 1/4 oz blue curacao. I prefer Bols.
• 3/4 oz gin. I prefer Hendrix for this.
• 1/4 oz lemon juice. I should not have to say to use fresh squeezed…. Use fresh squeezed!
• a dry Champagne to top

DIRECTIONS

Combine Creme de Violette, Blue Curacao, gin, and lemon in a mixing glass. Stir until chilled.

Strain into flute or cocktail glass. Top with Champagne.