Chartreuse Green Liqueur 750mL

Chartreuse Green Liqueur

French Herbal Liqueur | 55% ABV | 110 Proof | 750mL | France | 130 Plants, Flowers, Bark, Roots & Spices | Natural Green Color | Created in 1840

Process & Profile

Chartreuse Green Liqueur, commonly known as Green Chartreuse or Chartreuse Verte, is an iconic French herbal liqueur produced by the Carthusian Fathers from one of the spirits world’s most closely guarded recipes. Created in 1840 from the original formula behind the Élixir Végétal de la Grande Chartreuse, Green Chartreuse combines remarkable botanical complexity with a powerful 55% ABV (110 proof) bottling strength.

The recipe incorporates 130 plants, flowers, bark, roots, and spices along with alcohol, sugar, and water. The monks prepare the botanical mixtures at the Grande Chartreuse monastery before the ingredients undergo distillation and multiple macerations. These macerations extract the botanicals’ aromatic compounds and give Green Chartreuse its distinctive entirely natural green color.

After production, the liqueur undergoes extended maturation in large oak vats before bottling and continues to evolve over time in the bottle. Its intensely herbal profile balances mint, pine, citrus, pepper, sweet botanicals, and bittersweet tea, making Green Chartreuse both a traditional digestif and one of the most distinctive ingredients in classic and modern cocktails.

Tasting Notes

• Nose: Powerful and herbaceous with pepper, fresh botanicals, aromatic spices, and green herbs.

• Palate: Fresh and concentrated with mint, pine sap, citrus fruit, herbal sweetness, and warming spice.

• Finish: Long and bittersweet with tea, herbs, citrus, pepper, and lingering botanical intensity.

What Makes It Special

• Created in 1840 from the original recipe of the Élixir Végétal de la Grande Chartreuse.

• Produced by the Carthusian Fathers using a closely guarded traditional formula.

• Made with 130 plants, flowers, bark, roots, and spices.

• Its signature green appearance comes from natural botanical ingredients rather than artificial coloring.

• Production involves botanical preparation by the monks, distillation, and multiple macerations.

• Matured for an extended period in large oak vats before bottling.

• Bottled at a powerful 55% ABV (110 proof).

• Official flavor profile emphasizes herbs, pepper, mint, pine sap, citrus, and bittersweet tea.

• Can continue developing additional aromatic complexity after bottling.

• A foundational ingredient in cocktails including the Last Word, Bijou, and Chartreuse Swizzle.

• One of the most recognizable and sought-after French herbal liqueurs among bartenders, collectors, and cocktail enthusiasts.

How to Enjoy

Green Chartreuse can be enjoyed as a digestif, with the producer recommending it served chilled at approximately 12–13°C (54–55°F) or poured over ice. Serving it chilled helps balance its substantial 110-proof strength while preserving its intense herbal, minty, citrus, and pine-driven character.

Its concentrated botanical flavor also makes Green Chartreuse an important cocktail ingredient. It is famously used in the Last Word, where it is paired with gin, maraschino liqueur, and lime, as well as in the Bijou, Chartreuse Swizzle, and numerous contemporary cocktails. Because of its intensity, even a relatively small amount can contribute significant herbal complexity to a drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Chartreuse Green Liqueur?
   Chartreuse Green Liqueur, also known as Green Chartreuse or Chartreuse Verte, is a historic French herbal liqueur created in 1840 and produced by the Carthusian Fathers from a secret recipe containing 130 plants, flowers, bark, roots, and spices.

2. What is the difference between Chartreuse Green Liqueur and Yellow Chartreuse?
   Green Chartreuse is stronger, more intensely herbal, and more vegetal than Yellow Chartreuse. Green Chartreuse is bottled at 55% ABV and emphasizes mint, pine, citrus, pepper, and herbs, while Yellow Chartreuse is softer, sweeter, more floral, and bottled at 43% ABV.

3. What proof is Chartreuse Green Liqueur?
   Chartreuse Green Liqueur is bottled at 55% ABV, equivalent to 110 proof.

4. What does Chartreuse Green Liqueur taste like?
   Green Chartreuse has an intensely botanical profile with fresh herbs, pepper, mint, pine sap, citrus fruit, warming spice, and bittersweet tea. It combines sweetness with powerful herbal and vegetal complexity.

5. Where can I buy Chartreuse Green Liqueur?
   Chartreuse Green Liqueur is available directly from The Barrel Tap, a trusted online source for Chartreuse, French herbal liqueurs, specialty spirits, and hard-to-find releases.