Yep, that’s exactly what I did! I got it here:
http://www.absintheonline.com/acatalog/Pernot_fils.html

My main purpose was getting the Perique, a tobacco liqueur that’s not available (as far as I know) anywhere in the US. Adding another bottle didn’t change the shipping price at all, so I couldn’t resist throwing some creme de violette in there as well.

Yes, it is definitely an aromatic garnish. Fresh thyme is pretty intense, so it would ruin the drink if you nibbled on it.

Love the Thyme garnish also. That’s just used as an ‘aromatic garnish’ though - kind of like the Mint in a Mai-Tai, right?

Créme de violette is a liqueur made from violets. It’s a beautiful purple color with a floral/herbal scent and flavor.

Jacob,

Where did you find your other bottle of violette? Most of the others I know about have to be mail ordered from distant lands at great expense.

Chris,

Thanks for the heads up about the link. No, I don’t mind and nice blog! I’ll be sure to put you on the blogroll.

Scott,

In a fit of inspiration, I grabbed some fresh thyme for the garnish. It actually played really well, being a very “spring” type of scent.

Out of curiosity - I linked to this post in a recent (largely unrelated) posting on my own blog. Is this ok by you?

Cheers!

I’m lucky to have two brands of creme de violette at home: the Rothman and Winter and Deniset Klainguer. You’re right about the R&W: it’s less sweet than I expected, with kind of musty aroma. The DK, in contrast, is all sweetness and floral scents. Brand makes a big difference if you’re sampling them straight. But in a cocktail, the Rothman does pretty well.