Chris Munro, Head of Christies’ Wine Department, on the sweet, spicy drink you should taste tonight—plus cocktail recipes to try
The dishes have been cleared, the last drop of red has been drunk, and you’re about to relax with an after-dinner drink. What should you sip on? Traditionally, this would be a glass of port, maybe Madeira, or a whiskey. But how about Chartreuse liqueur?
With a history dating back to 1605, the first recipe for this digestif appears in a manuscript written by French soldier François Annibal d’Estrées and was given to the Carthusian monks. If this all sounds a bit Game of Thrones, it gets even more mysterious. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret—a mixture of distilled alcohol and 130 herbs, known only to the Père and Frère de Chartreux.
It’s believed that not all the herbs make it into the final mix as around 20 are burnt, thus disguising the exact make-up of the recipe. Its main known components are cinnamon, mace, peppermint, and thyme. There are also believed to be a number of Chinese herbs in the recipe.
Chartreuse comes in a few different types, the main two being green and yellow—the green has the higher alcohol content at around 55 percent. The extremely rare blanche or white Chartreuse is no longer produced, but sometimes appears at auction.
But what does it taste like? Very sweet, slightly medicinal, and spicy. A nightcap from the 17th century—perfect.
If you’d prefer to try this liqueur in a cocktail before sipping it neat, you’re in luck: Chartreuse is coveted by mixologists for its sweet, herbacious flavour. It pairs well with gin—although brandy, whiskey, and rum make for a great combination too—and offers all the the allure of a beautiful green cocktail, without having to rely on Midori or green apple schnapps.
Start simply, by adding Chartreuse to your classic gin martini. To mix, simply gather 1½ ounces (45 ml) gin, ½ ounce (15 ml) green Chartreuse, and ½ ounce (15 ml) dry vermouth; shake well in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and enjoy.
For a slightly more adventurous take on a classic martini, but one that’s equally easy to create, opt for a Last Word cocktail. Pour equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice into a shaker filled with ice, shake well, strain into the glass of your choice, and serve.
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