Everything you need to know about Chartreuse

What should I drink if I want to live longer?

Well, we’d recommend water. But I’m assuming you want a longer answer here, so what about Chartreuse — a legendary liqueur that’s been made by Carthusian monks, deep in the French Alps, since the 18^th century. The recipe is based on an ancient manuscript, entitled The Elixir of Long Life, bestowed upon the monks by a marshal of King Henry IV, François Annibal d’Estrées. The exact origin of the manuscript — an alchemic labyrinth of secret symbols and cryptic codes — remains unknown, and it took the Grande Chartreuse monastery more than a century to decipher it and begin distilling the enigmatic elixir. Secrecy still surrounds the recipe, with only three monks allowed to oversee the production of the yellowy green liqueur — with each one only being privy to two-thirds of the recipe and bound to a vow of silence.

So, no one knows the whole recipe? 

No. What we do know is that 130 unknown herbs and spices are macerated for eight hours. The liqueur is aged in oak casks, some more than a century old, within the largest liqueur cellar in the world. Still produced exclusively by the Carthusian monks, the classic Green Chartreuse opens an intense apothecary of flavours — there’s some herbal heat initially, it’s a little bit menthol, peppering the palate with earthy, woody, floral and fruity notes. While the Yellow is slightly sweeter and less potent, both varietals are said to get better in the bottle with age, and vintage versions, especially those made prior to the monks’ 48-year expulsion during the French Revolution, are valued handsomely. Worth even more are the rare, VEP (Vieillissement Exceptionnelle Prolonge) variants, which are aged for longer (over 10 years), with a more complex, stronger woody character. Prices went up further in early 2023 when the monks announced they were quietening production to remain loyal to their main vocation of prayer and solitude and to maintain the balance of life at the Grande Chartreuse monastery. They also cited the need to limit the environmental impact of producing the herbal liqueur. Talking of which, Green Chartreuse has historically helped reduce methane emissions — with French farmers feeding it to their cows to ease their wind.

Will it help me live longer?

Probably not. No. But not content with being a cameo component in a number of classic cocktails (lending the iconic Last Word its trademark green hue), it was a favourite of the Queen Mum, who had a good innings. Other fans have included Hunter S Thompson, and both Tom Waits and ZZ Top have written songs about it. You won’t hear the monks singing it, though — they’re a silent order.

Three to try

1. Green Chartreuse
The flagship Chartreuse, created in 1840, is produced using 130 botanicals and aged in oak. Herbal, medicinal, complex in character — it’s stronger and less sweet than the Yellow.

2. Elixir Vegetal of the Grande Chartreuse
Dating back to 1764, this powerful (69% ABV), invigorating after-dinner elixir and tonic was the first drink made by the Carthusian monks.

3. V.E.P Chartreuse
Available in Green and Yellow, VEP Chartreuse is created using the same procedures and the same secret formula as the traditional liqueur but its ‘Exceptionally Prolonged Ageing’ (VEP) in oak casks raises it to new heights. There’s no strict rule for how long ageing should last and the duration is left to the monks’ discretion.

Where to drink Chartreuse?

1. Arcane, Manchester
A long-term champion of the elixir in all its guises, this quality cocktail bar, situated in the basement of a Victorian building just off Deansgate, celebrates Chartreuse Day (16 May) every year in style.

2. Core by Clare Smyth, London
Several very sought-after Chartreuse vintages feature among the impressive digestifs served at this modern, fine-dining restaurant with roots in French cooking.  

3. Zig Zag Café, Seattle
Responsible for breathing life back into the Chartreuse-based Last Word cocktail in 2003, after decades of obscurity, this classic cocktail bar has helped Chartreuse achieve cult status in Seattle and Portland.

4. Le Bar à Cocktails, Voiron
Opened in 2022 as part of the Chartreuse visitor experience, this modern bar serves cocktails made with the liqueur. Enthusiasts will purr at the selection of old vintages and variations available.