So, I have 10 chartreuse cocktails here that will show you precisely why that is. Chartreuse isn’t as popular in the United States as it is in its home country of France, but there are still plenty of people who know and love it here in the states. French monks have been making chartreuse for over 400 years, and it’s the only liquor with a natural green color (though there are lighter yellow versions of the liqueur, as well). It’s herb-flavored, minty, and sometimes features a note or two of vanilla. It’s lightly sweet and a bit spicy, and it lends itself well to plenty of delicious chartreuse cocktails. Here are some of the best.
Chartreuse Cocktail Recipes To Try Tonight
1. The Written Word
First and foremost, the written word is a strong drink. Green chartreuse is 55% alcohol by volume (yellow is slightly less at about 40%). Plus, this drink contains gin and Cointreau! There’s also a dash of lime juice to help add a bright zestiness, but you’re mostly going to taste the alcohol in this one. The drink is slightly bitter and just a bit citrusy. Still, if you’re looking to jumpstart that “feel good” feeling, this drink is an excellent place to start.
2. Verdant Lady
If it looks like a mojito and smells like a mojito — Nope! It’s not a mojito, but the two are similar. In many ways, the Verdant Lady is a stronger and more bitter version of the traditional mojito. It uses ice, gin, lime juice, simple syrup, green chartreuse, and mint leaves. Let’s just say if you’re a fan of the minty mojito, you’ll most likely enjoy this delicious and refreshing drink, as well.
3. First Frost
This gorgeous, icy white drink takes its frosty name from its appearance, as its taste is 100% fall-flavored. (Of course, in most places, the first frost happens in fall, so I guess that makes sense, too.) Either way, if you’re looking for a new and exciting fall cocktail to enjoy at your next Halloween, Thanksgiving, or other fall-themed parties, you’ll have to try this one. It takes 3 minutes to pull together, and all you’ll need is white rum, lime juice, green chartreuse, dry vermouth, and homemade apple-cinnamon simple syrup. The rum and simple syrup give the drink a distinct sweetness, and the flavors of apple and cinnamon come through strongly. However, the chartreuse and dry vermouth add some bitter herb flavor, and the lime juice also brings sour notes. As a result, the drink is a sweet and sour cocktail that’s perfect for sipping on a cool fall or winter’s evening.
4. The Lumiere
The lumiere may have a bright, beautiful name, but don’t let its delicate nomenclature fool you; this is another exceptionally strong drink. After all, the ingredients are St. Germain liqueur, gin, green chartreuse, orange bitters, and just a hint of lime juice for flavor. That’s a lot of liquor. It’s also a somewhat bitter drink, though the floral notes of the St. Germain help sweeten it a touch. More than anything, it’s very herbal; it almost tastes like something your mom would make you drink to get rid of a cold, only with a lot more alcohol in it.
5. Amber Dream
Speaking of herby and bitter drinks… If that’s your thing, then you will go nuts for the amber dream, which has plenty of both. There’s a wonderful spiciness to it, as well. If you’ve ever had a negroni, it tastes a lot like that, only with more herbs and spices. You’ll make it with Campari, gin, red vermouth, and green chartreuse. It shouldn’t take you more than 3 minutes, and it’s the ideal beachside drink.
6. Chartreuse Martini
If you really want to know what green chartreuse tastes like, go straight for the chartreuse martini. It also contains gin and dry vermouth. However, the chartreuse takes center stage with its herb flavor. This one has perhaps the most herb taste of them all, as neither the gin nor the dry vermouth does much to sweeten the cocktail.
7. Chartreuse Swizzle
The chartreuse swizzle isn’t precisely like a mojito and a pina colada combined, but it does feature flavor notes that you’d find in both drinks. You’ll make it with a base of green chartreuse and pineapple juice. To that, you’ll also add lime juice, velvet falernum (a zesty syrup liqueur), nutmeg, mint, and Angostura bitters. You’ll love the complementary flavors of the mint and pineapple, and yes, they are surprisingly complementary. You’ll also enjoy its lovely two-toned appearance. Of all the mixed drinks on this list, this one is probably the weakest, so if you aren’t looking for a super-strong, knock you off your feet drink, this one is a safe option.
8. Chartreuse and Gin Cocktail
This simple 5-minute drink combines gin, simple syrup, chartreuse, lime juice, cayenne pepper, and grated ginger. As you’ve probably already guessed, it’s a hot, spicy drink, and its bittersweet herbal flavor makes it almost medicinal (but not in a bad way).
9. Green Ghost Cocktail
The green ghost is pretty much the chartreuse and gin cocktail above; only you’ll strip it down to just three simple ingredients: chartreuse, gin, and lime juice. The flavor is essentially the same, though it isn’t as sweet and doesn’t have all the heat and spice. If you like the somewhat medicinal taste of chartreuse and gin but don’t want your mixed drinks to burn any more than the usual alcohol burn, this one is the better option for you.
10. Rubicon
The last drink on this list is another gin-and chartreuse-based drink. However, instead of the typical lime juice, this one contains lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and rosemary. It’s a much sweeter drink than many of the other options on the list, though you still can’t properly call it “sweet” – not like you can a mimosa, pina colada, or daiquiri, anyway. There’s still too much herb and mint flavor for that, and the lemon juice adds some sour notes, as well. Still, if you’re interested in trying chartreuse but need a slightly less bitter, alcohol-heavy drink, this one is a good place to start. Click on a star to rate it!
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