Tropical Month 2023 – Chartreuse
Yes, you could confuse this article with one only dedicated to the French liqueur coming from a monastery. Yet, in the article I also present a drink to you which is named after a Capital Cities song. Of course, the drink also includes Chartreuse…
First, some bad news: Chartreuse decided to allocate their markets. This means that the demand is higher than the amount produced. The monks will not increase their production volume. As a consequence, prices are rising and will continue to do so. Best to fill up your stocks then!
A Chartreuse Swizzle variation
The original Chartreuse Swizzle was created in 2002 by Marco Dionysos. In 2010 Kaiser Penguin came up with the Improved Chartreuse Swizzle which basically just adds overproof white Jamaican rum. I kept the ingredients of this variation, but split the base between Chartreuse M.O.F.S. and Chartreuse 1605. Both liqueurs are even better than the original yellow and green versions. On top of that, I replaced the overproof rum with Clairin Sajous
Even more herbal ingredients
At first, I wanted to keep the Falernum. However, I decided to go for Genepi another alpine liqueur instead. Unfortunately, I did not have the version from Chartreuse, this would have been even better suited for the name. Last, but not least, I adda two dashes of Elixir Vegetal also from Chartreuse.
1,5 cl Chartreuse 1605
1,5 cl Clairin Sajous
1,5 cl Chartreuse Genepi (Bigallet)
2 Dashes Chartreuse Elixir Vegetal
3 cl Pineapple Juice
3 cl Lime Juice
Garnish: Mint Sprig – Lime Twist; Song: Capital Cities – Chartreuse;
At first I thought the ‘Chartreuse’ was too sour, but when I tried the finished drink it was well balanced instead. Yes, it is powerful and you definitely should sip it carefully, but you get the full flavour profile of Falernum (the liqueur) with additional rhum flavours. The lime and pineapple give the drink structure and balance all the alcohol.
