Chartreuse and Gin Cocktail

Mixing up a delicious Chartreuse and gin cocktail with a few ingredients is what this drink is all about. This sweet and spicy Chartreuse cocktail is the perfect sipping drink and easy to make.

Now I am all about really easy cocktails. From my French gimlet to my simple Aperol cocktail, I love making cocktails that are big on flavor with as few ingredients as possible and this chartreuse drink is just that type of cocktail.

In my house, we make this cocktail for just us for a sipping cocktail but we also entertain with it when we have guests because it is a wonderful way to introduce people to Chartreuse liquor since it is not as common as other liquors.

We also love serving this cocktail on St. Patrick's Day since it has a beautiful green hue to it. I think it goes nicely for the occasion.

This Chartreuse and gin cocktail is very similar to the last word cocktail but we add a couple extra ingredients to really bring it to the next level. This is a little more effort than two ingredients but well worth it.

A little background on Green Chartreuse liquor

If you have never heard of Chartreuse other than the fact that it is also the name of a color, then you are in for a treat.

Chartreuse liquor is made from over 130 different herbs and originates in France dating back to the 1600's. This liqueur is still made the same way today that it was then and it is full of those same wonderful herb flavors.

Its color is naturally light green as well which I like. Not artificial.

It is a very strong liqueur both in taste and alcohol. The alcohol content is (around 110 proof) so you only need to add a little of this stuff.

Sometimes you can find yellow Chartreuse which is also fine to use. The yellow version will have a little less alcohol in it than the green but it will work for this recipe.

What Does Chartreuse Taste Like

For the taste, it has a very strong botanical flavor, think bold herbs. Too much could end up tasting a bit medicinal.

Knowing how much to use and with what ingredients make all the difference in whether you will enjoy this liquor.

This Chartreuse drink is very easy to make and very festive looking because of its green color. It is great for the holidays or just to make when it's you and a friend chatting about the day.

The Ingredients

• Green Chartreuse liquor. You can also use yellow Chartreuse liquor if that is what you have.
• Gin (your favorite brand)
• Simple syrup or similar liquid sweetener. The recipe for simple syrup is below.
• Cayenne pepper: It is not too spicy but it really adds a nice touch of background heat. You can omit this if you do not like it.
• Fresh ginger: The ginger really adds a nice spicy flavor that pairs well with the herbal notes of Chartreuse.
• Lime juice: Lime juice adds a tart note to the cocktail and pairs so well with Chartreuse liquor.

One of the great things about this drink is the complexity of flavors. With each sip, you get a bit of sweetness, tart, and heat all enveloped with those beautiful herb notes from the chartreuse.

Who Will Love This Chartreuse and Gin Cocktail

• If you like lemon drops or margaritas, you will love this because it has that same citrus punch from the limes but with a bit more sophistication.
• If you love spicy drinks will love this one. Though the spice is only barely moderate, it is noticeable and delicious.
• If you like gin, gin and tonics are great but mixing it up is always welcome and this drink does just that.

I hope you give this Chartreuse recipe a try! Chartreuse is a really amazing drink and worth the expense of adding it to your bar stock.

Pairing Ideas

Here are some of our favorite bites to serve with this Chartreuse and gin cocktail:

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