Green & Yellow Chartreuse
Let's talk Chartreuse...
A powerful liqueur made by monks in the Eastern part of France, Chartreuse is made from 130 alpine herbs and is available in two variations; green (55% ABV) and yellow (40% ABV), the latter being sweeter and milder.
According to the the story only three brothers currently know the secret method to making this potent potion, which they protect with a vow of silence; super low key!
Drinking Chartreuse
For bartenders around the world it's a very important piece to their arsenal, but we must be very careful when mixing it as it's very easy to overpower the other ingredients in a drink with it. The more traditional way to drink Chartreuse is with tonic or club soda, ice, and a slice of citrus. As for us we love mixing it with gin, tequila, mezcal (another powerful flavor) and lime.
So what does it taste like? Glad you asked! Iveth & I just had a little taste so we can share with you and some of the flavors we both got were anise, honey, lots of unfamiliar herbs (obv), and Iveth also noted pear.
We used to have a Signature cocktail with Green Chartreuse on LA Speakeasy's menu - "A Fair Exchange" (gin, thyme, fresh cantaloupe juice, agave, lime), but we got rid of it because hardly anyone asked for it.
The most popular cocktail with this legendary ingredient, however, is...
1 oz green @chartreuse.fr
1 oz gin
1 oz @luxardoofficial maraschino liqueur
1 oz fresh lime juice
* Served up (no ice) in a coupe
And if you don't know, you know!
So if you ever come across this bottle at a restaurant or bar, and you're into pungent herbal cocktails, ask the bartender to whip you up The Last Word or one of their house cocktails and give it a try!
See you at the bar... Cheers
