I’m sure you’re thinking, “Why would I want to drink chartreuse cocktails?” Well, these aren’t just any old chartreuse cocktails. They’re delicious, innovative, and exciting, made with an ancient elixir recipe.
Chartreuse is a drink that everyone can enjoy—from the casual sipper to the discerning connoisseur.
And it just so happens that I’ve got 15 ways to make a regular Chartreuse liqueur even better.
It’s time to look at the world through chartreuse-colored glasses.
If you’ve ever tried to describe a chartreuse cocktail to someone, you know how difficult it can be.
“What’s in it?” they asked.
“Oh, just some gin and Chartreuse,” you replied.
“What’s chartreuse?” they asked.
“Oh, it’s this sweet yellow-green liqueur made from 130 herbs and plants,” you answered.
“And what’s in the gin?” they asked.
“Oh, just some juniper berries and coriander,” you replied.
“So what does chartreuse taste like?” they asked—and then there’s a long pause as you try to think of the right words to describe it, only to realize that sometimes there aren’t any.
Well, chartreuse has a distinctively herbal aroma.
And it’s got an earthy flavor that’s spicy and bitter at the same time—like chewing on a branch from an evergreen tree that you found in the forest.
If you’ve never had chartreuse cocktails before, it can be kind of a shock to the system.
But once you get used to its weirdness, it can become one of your favorite drinks!
And I’ll say this much; you’ll never get bored of my #13.
So, let’s get into it!
Chartreuse and gin are two of the most polarizing spirits in the cocktail world.
The chartreuse is a green liqueur made from tons of different herbs and spices, including—it’s got a piney taste that’s surprisingly refreshing.
The gin is… well, it’s gin.
So why pair them together?
Well, because they’re both so strong on their own that when you mix them, you get something entirely new: a cocktail with all the spice of chartreuse but with a cut from lime juice and sweetness from the simple syrup.
It’s a balanced drink that can be sipped neat or mixed into your favorite cocktails.
2. The Lumiere
The Lumiere is a simple delight.
It’s tart, it’s light, and it’s refreshing.
It’s great for days when you just can’t take a moment indoors.
The base of the cocktail is made with St. Germain, a sweet liqueur made from elderflower that you can easily find in most liquor stores.
It lends an aromatic quality to the drink that makes it seem like you’re drinking something out of a garden.
And its sweetness balances out the lime juice and brings a bright tartness that teases your tongue as you sip.
Then, the green chartreuse lightens the mixture to a lovely, radian light green—and if your friends ask what’s in there, tell them “magic.”
Chartreuse Martinis are the perfect way to celebrate the end of a long day.
You can practically taste the sweetened-herb flavor of the green chartreuse as it blends with the botanicals found in gin and dry vermouth.
You can also feel the slight burn from the alcohol as it travels down your throat.
And you can smell the gin and vermouth mixing to make something new, something bolder than either could have been on its own.
Now, you can imagine yourself sitting at a table with friends after an amazing meal, enjoying a glass of this cocktail.
4. Verdant Lady
Forget about the old days when you had to settle for an earthy, bitter, green cocktail that tasted like you were drinking grass.
Introducing Verdant Lady: a refreshing new drink that tastes just like the fresh, spring air you’re craving!
It’s got all the minty goodness you want and none of the grassy flavors that make your mouth pucker up.
Plus, it’s got a warming feeling that makes you feel cozy and happy inside—even as you sip this cool drink.
What’s your ideal cocktail?
Do you want one that’s a little on the sweet side?
Or would you prefer something that’s a bit more herbal, with just a hint of personality?
If that’s the case, then you’re going to want to give this Alaska Cocktail a try.
This cocktail is made with gin and yellow chartreuse—and it tastes exactly how it sounds: very herbal.
It’s perfect for slow sipping, and it looks fancy too!
Just add some lemon peel for extra zest.
6. Green Ghost
The Green Ghost is a cocktail for the rest of us.
It’s not sweet; it’s not overly complex—it’s just a nice change from the usual cocktails you find on every menu.
This drink contains dry gin, green chartreuse liqueur, and fresh lime juice.
It’s bright and slightly herby, with a crisp finish.
And it’ll make you feel like you’re sipping something special without making you feel like you’re spending all night in the bathroom after your first sip.
The Green Ghost is perfect for those who don’t have time for over-the-top cocktails with more ingredients than they can count on both hands (and maybe their feet).
7. First Frost
Are you ready for First Frost?
It’s sweet and sour but with a complex layering of flavors that make it something special.
The apple cinnamon syrup gives it sweetness; the rum and green chartreuse give it spice and herbal freshness, and the lemon juice brings out the tartness.
It’ll keep your spirits high all day, night (or day) long.
You’d think this cocktail would be full of books with a name like The Written Word.
But it’s not—it’s full of booze.
This zesty drink is all about sourness, a gin and chartreuse cocktail with Cointreau, almost like a limeade on steroids.
It’s boozy and full of flavor but surprisingly balanced and refreshing at the same time.
The Written Word is a great choice for anyone who wants to start their night with something light and fun but still packs a punch.
9. Rubicon
Cool, tart, and complex—that’s the Rubicon cocktail.
It’s a modern sour made with gin, lime juice, and maraschino liqueur as its base. It also has green chartreuse and rosemary for the necessary kick.
Also, the burning chartreuse cooks the rosemary, releasing a lot of aromas and allowing the flavors to better permeate the beverage as oils are released, giving you a much more flavorful drink.
But the best thing about this drink is that you don’t have to be a professional bartender to make it at home.
In fact, all you’ll need is a few minutes and a few simple ingredients.
Sometimes you just want to get wild.
And that’s okay! You don’t have to be a wallflower always; you can let loose.
With Modified Industry Sour, you’ll be able to do just that.
It is sour with bold flavors that are sure to make your mouth water.
It’s also sweet, intense, and bitter all at once—and has an aggressive melange of spices with egg white.
This drink makes you feel like you’ve got your life together—even if sometimes, you don’t!
Once you hit the bottom of this glass, it’s coming back up for air!
11. Bijou Cocktail
Bijou Cocktail is a bit of a wild card. It’s not as sweet as other cocktails, but it’s certainly not dry either.
The powerful notes of gin, sweet-tart notes of vermouth, and strong herbal chartreuse all come together in this drink to create something that’s uniquely its own…
…a cocktail that feels like the perfect compromise between sweet and savory, with just enough floral orange bitters (or Grand Marnier if you don’t have the bitters on hand) thrown in to round everything out.
It’s also got some serious staying power as it won’t leave you feeling lightheaded or tipsy by any means.
Instead, it’ll leave you feeling like you’re on top of your game!
12. Naked & Famous
You’ve had them all.
You’ve tried them all.
But have you tried this?
Naked & Famous is the perfect balance of smoky grapefruit flavor and bitter grapefruit peel, with just enough sweetness from Aperol and chartreuse to make it completely balanced and refreshing.
It’s the perfect drink for any occasion: a night with friends, an afternoon at home, or even just a random Tuesday night.
It’s so good that you won’t want to share it—but if somebody else wants some, try to make some for them too.
The Chartreuse Swizzle is a refreshing icy drink that calls for herbal chartreuse, sweet pineapple juice, tangy citrus, and spices in the falernum.
It also has a punch from verdant liqueur, and it keeps things interesting with its smoky mezcal flavors.
This is one of those chartreuse cocktails that everyone should have on their list of things to try at least once.
Even if you’re not a fan of chartreuse cocktails, there’s something about this particular combination that makes it impossible to resist.
14. Champs Elysees
You’ll feel like you’re sitting at the Champs-Elysees when you have this cocktail.
It’s a variation on the classic Sidecar, but with chartreuse in place of brandy.
The Champs Elysees Cocktail is all about the citrus.
It starts with a base of cognac and fresh lemon juice and then adds a splash of green chartreuse and a little simple syrup.
The combination of spicy, bitter, and tart flavors is incredible, and you’ll love how light and fruity this drink is!
It’s also got just enough sweetness to make it feel like dessert—but since it has so much flavor and depth, I think it would pair nicely with savory dishes as well.
With its anise flavor and rich and strong taste, this cocktail is a real winner.
The Hearn’s Cocktail is a sophisticated drink that will make you feel like you’re at the track, even if you’re not.
It has a slightly sweet and intense herbaceous flavor that will make your taste buds go wild.
And it is perfect for those who love to experience new things and have a good time.
If you want to try something new, delicious, and exciting, this drink is for you!
The bottom line
So, there you have it, the 15 best chartreuse cocktails you can make at home.
Whether you want something simple or something that’ll blow your mind, this list has got you covered.
And if you’re searching for something a little more challenging than a martini or Manhattan, why not try one of these chartreuse cocktails?
BEST Chartreuse Cocktails
Chartreuse Cocktails: Adult beverages that are delicious, innovative, and exciting, made with an ancient elixir called chartreuse!
Ingredients
- Chartreuse & Gin
- The Lumiere
- Chartreuse Martini
- Verdant Lady
- Alaska Cocktail
- Green Ghost
- First Frost
- The Written Word
- Rubicon
- Modified Industry Sour
- Bijou Cocktail
- Naked & Famous
- Chartreuse Swizzle
- Champs Elysees
- The Hearn’s Cocktail
Instructions
- Find your favorite recipe from our Chartreuse Cocktails list.
- Gather all the ingredients needed.
- Start mixing and make us proud!