Chartreuse
What
it is:
Chartreuse is a distilled
alcohol aged with 130 herbs, plants and flowers–the green color is all natural!
It is a French liqueur
made by Carthusian Monks and is one of few types of liquor that continues to
age and improve in the bottle. Other variations include Yellow Chartreuse,
Chartreuse VEP (exceptionally prolonged aging) available in both green and
yellow and a couple others based on the original recipe.
How it’s
used:
Green Chartreuse is
commonly drunk as a digestif and should be enjoyed very cold. Though many
people prefer to sip it straight on ice, it has become a bartender favorite and
is continuously being made into new and inventive cocktails.
Brief
history:
In 1605 a Chartreuse
monastery in Vauverts, a small suburb of Paris, received an ancient manuscript
for an “Elixir” from Fanvoise Hannibal d’Estrees, Marshal of King Henry IV
artillery. The “Elixir of Long Life” (Elixir Vegetal) was made, and
continues to be made, by these Carthusian monks by suspending plants, herbs and
other botanicals in wine alcohol.
In 1764, once they
realized that people were drinking it as a beverage rather than a medicine the
monks made a milder version (this Elixir Vegetal was 138 proof!) known as Green
Chartreuse that is 110 proof. In 1838 the distillers developed a sweeter form
of Chartreuse, which is known as Yellow Chartreuse and is 80 proof.
Green Chartreuse is still
made by monks and the sales of the liqueurs allow the Chartreuse Monks the
funds to survive and dedicate their lives to prayer and meditation.
The latest:
Though Green Chartreuse
has typically been an after dinner drink, it is more frequently being enjoyed
in unique cocktail recipes. It is boozier than whiskey, vodka or tequila and either
the taste or the story is catching on, because Chartreuse sales are up! Some
believe its due to a shout out in a Quentin Tarantino film or props from
“hipster culture.”
Seattle Met wrote an article
in April 2013 about this new favorite. Jamie Boudreau, bar manager of Canon in
Seattle, visited the distillery, finishes every meal with it and recommends
trying it with chocolate.
Buy it here:
Any local liquor store
should carry it.
Drink it here:
Blue Hour, Church (Ne
Sandy), Vintage Cocktail Lounge (SE Stark), Le Bistro Montage
SALEP Cocktails:
Chartreuse on the Rocks
Green
Chartreuse •
Lots of Ice
Gumby
on Acid
1/2
oz Green Chartreuse • Champagne (brut)
Other cocktail ideas:
Chartreuse
Experience
1
oz Green Chartreuse • 1 oz Vodka • 5 oz Orange Juice • 1 oz Lemon Juice • Ice
Chartreuse
Soleil aka “Sunburst”
1
oz Green Chartreuse • 6 oz Orange Juice • Ice
Bijou
1
oz Gin • 1 oz Green Chartreuse • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth • 1 Dash Orange Bitters
Garnish
with cherry and lemon twist. Stir with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Hot
Rye Bijou
1
oz Rye Whiskey • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth • 1 oz Green Chartreuse • 1 dash orange
bitters
Serve
Warm
Spring
Feeling Cocktail
1.5
oz Plymouth Gin • ¾ oz Green Chartreuse • ¾ oz Lemon Juice
Stir
well in ice and strain into glass.
