I still remember the first time I tried a Moonlight cocktail – one of those small moments that stick with you, even years later. It was after a long shift behind the bar downtown; the place was emptying out, but the city outside was still buzzing. My coworker, always up for experimenting with new recipes after hours, slid a drink across the counter and said, “Try this.” I took a sip expecting, well, another take on a gin-based cocktail, but there was something about the mix – the gentle bite of gin, the soft floral sweetness, a spark of citrus – that stopped me in my tracks. Suddenly, the quiet of the bar and the shimmer of streetlights outside matched the name: Moonlight.
The Moonlight is a bit of a hidden gem. It doesn’t show up on many standard cocktail menus, and the history isn’t crystal clear. Most accounts place its rise in the Prohibition era, when bartenders were getting creative with what they had on hand. The cocktail’s pale, blue-tinged glow (thanks to crème de violette) fits its name perfectly, evoking the cool, mysterious feeling of moonlight on a glass.
Strength & Profile
Note: You can tap on flavors, occasions, and feels to view more similar cocktail recipes.
What I love most about this drink is how straightforward it is. There’s nothing fussy to master – just a few bottles and a lemon twist. The gin is really the backbone, providing herbaceous depth. Crème de violette introduces gentle floral notes, while lime juice adds just enough tartness to keep things lively. That small hit of triple sec brings it all together with a whisper of orange, rounding out the edges.
I’ve made this cocktail for both sets of friends: the home bartenders obsessed with ratios, and those who just want something pretty and easy to drink. The color honestly gets more attention than anything – there’s almost a hush when the first Moonlight hits the table under good lighting, its dreamy blue catching every eye.
Ingredients & Glassware
Here’s what you’ll need for a single serving:
- 1.5 oz (45 ml) gin
- 0.5 oz (15 ml) crème de violette
- 0.5 oz (15 ml) fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz (7.5 ml) triple sec
A chilled cocktail or martini glass really lets the color shine.
How to Make a Moonlight
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the gin, crème de violette, lime juice, and triple sec.
- Shake (really shake – don’t be shy) until the outside of the shaker is good and cold.
- Strain into your chilled glass.
- Finish with a lemon twist. Don’t skip this – the citrus oil that spritzes out really ties the drink together.
If crème de violette is out of reach, blue curaçao will give you the color, if not the perfumed flavor. It makes for a fun variation – tastes a bit more citrusy, but still delicious. If you’re making a nonalcoholic version, try tonic with a dash of blueberry syrup and extra lime; it makes a pretty and uniquely refreshing mocktail.
When it comes to food pairings, mild cheeses like brie or chèvre are my personal favorites – something about the creamy texture playing off the floral, tart notes really works. Light seafood dishes make good company, too. I paired Moonlights with a platter of sushi last summer for a few friends and got more recipe requests than ever before.
I also love tinkering with the recipe. Adding a couple of blackberries – muddled at the bottom of the shaker – gives the drink a deeper, moodier purple shade and a touch of fruitiness that blends perfectly. Or, if you fancy a little herbal lift, toss in a sprig of fresh mint for garnish. The scent changes the first sip entirely.
Word to the wise: the gin matters. Because the recipe’s so simple, every ingredient stands out. You don’t need top-shelf stuff, but anything with decent botanical character will pay off in your glass.
What keeps me coming back to the Moonlight is its versatility. I’ll mix one up on sticky July evenings as easily as I will for cozy nights in when winter makes everything feel a bit dull. When someone shows up asking for a cocktail that’s “different but not weird,” or just something beautiful and a little offbeat, this is my go-to.
If you haven’t tried a Moonlight, put it on your list. It’s the perfect reminder that sometimes the most memorable flavors come from the simplest moments – a little gin, some violette, and a splash of city lights outside the window.
