The History of Chartreuse

Chartreuse is a liqueur that has a long and rich history dating back to the 17th century. It was first made by the Carthusian Monks in France, who were known for their expertise in creating herbal remedies and potions. The recipe for Chartreuse was based on an ancient formula that was said to have been given to the Monks by a French Marshal in the early 1600s. This formula was said to have a total of 130 different herbs, flowers, roots, and fruits, and the Monks worked to perfect the recipe over the years.

In 1605, the Carthusian Monks established a distillery in the Charterhouse of the Val-de-Bénédiction in France, where they began producing Chartreuse. The liqueur quickly gained popularity and was used for medicinal purposes, as well as for spiritual and therapeutic benefits. However, the production of Chartreuse was disrupted during the French Revolution, when the Monks were forced to flee the country and their distillery was seized.

Despite the challenges faced during the Revolution, the Carthusian Monks were able to keep the secret formula for Chartreuse safe and eventually returned to France to resume production. Today, Chartreuse remains one of the most popular liqueurs in the world, with both Green and Yellow Chartreuse being enjoyed by drinkers all over the world. Despite its long history and widespread popularity, the recipe for Chartreuse remains a closely guarded secret, known only to a few members of the Carthusian order. Despite this, the liqueur continues to captivate drinkers with its unique herbal flavor and timeless appeal.

Green Chartreuse is made from a secret blend of 130 herbs, flowers, roots, and fruits and is known for its unique herbal flavor and bright green color. It is bottled at 55% alcohol by volume, making it one of the stronger liqueurs on the market.

Yellow Chartreuse, on the other hand, is a slightly sweeter and milder version of the green liqueur. It was introduced in the 19th century and is made from the same secret blend of 130 herbs, but with the addition of honey to give it its unique flavor and golden color. It is bottled at a lower alcohol content of 40% and is often used as a mixer in cocktails or as a topping for desserts. Despite its sweeter taste, Yellow Chartreuse still has a complex herbal flavor that sets it apart from other liqueurs.

Both Green and Yellow Chartreuse have a long history of popularity in Europe and are considered classic liqueurs. Today, they continue to be enjoyed by drinkers all over the world and are highly sought after by mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts. Whether sipped neat or used in a cocktail, Chartreuse offers a unique and unforgettable flavor experience that has captivated drinkers for centuries.

Alaska Cocktail

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz gin

1/2 oz yellow chartreuse

1 dash Orange Bitters

Instructions:

In your mixing glass, add gin, yellow chartreuse, and bitters. Top with ice and stir for about 30 rotations.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy!