A Night of Chartreuse
What is Chartreuse?
It is more than just a fabulous color in fashion… let’s start there. Chartreuse is a French liqueur made with 130 herbs and botanicals, improving with age. The liqueur is produced by Carthusian monks since 1737 and is a beloved staple in cocktail culture today. Chartreuse is exclusively created and crafted at the Aiguenoire distillery in Entre-deux-Guiers by the monks who have passed on this secret recipe for centuries. There are “2 types” of chartreuse: Green Chartreuse, which uses a sugar beet-based spirit, and Yellow Chartreuse, which uses a grape-based spirit, but both have the same distilling and aging process. Distilled in copper pots, infused with botanicals, and aged in charred French oak barrels, you get these amazing liqueurs.
Some of you may ask how on earth these liqueurs produce their colors naturally. It’s from chlorophyll that produces that bright green we see, and saffron is what taints the liqueur into that beautiful yellow. Now, what is the actual difference between green chartreuse and yellow chartreuse you may ask? Well, let me tell you!
Green Chartreuse’s flavor profile is more woody, herbal, and almost described as medicinal, which may turn many away from trying it, but trust me, in the right cocktail, it is really delicious. On the other hand, yellow Chartreuse is sweeter and definitely more approachable to the general public due to its softer and subtle flavor profile of honey. I personally love it, as you can really taste the notes of honey and the earthiness of the saffron. Something I found so incredible about this liqueur is not only the deep history behind creating it but also how delicate and unique the product itself is.
Here is one of my favorite chartreuse cocktails that is easy to make and delicious for you guys to try!
The Last Word
Ingredients
¾ OZ. GIN
¾ OZ. GREEN CHARTREUSE
¾ OZ. MARASCHINO LIQUEUR
¾ OZ. FRESH LIME JUICE
How to Make it
Pour in your lime juice, maraschino liqueur, gin, and green chartreuse into your shaker, add ice, and shake until well chilled.
Strain into your glass, garnish with a maraschino cherry, and enjoy!
