UPDATED
Chartreuse is a bit of an obsession around here. A persistent question is whether there is any mixed drink with Chartreuse that is as good as taking the elixir straight. I have found the Alaska Cocktail and the Last Word both to be very good. This is another recipe, created by mixologist Marco Dionysis, that I recently happened upon. It is of the family of tropical drinks, such as were made popular by the Trader Vic’s bar chain in the post-war era. The sort of thing that you’d presumably have at an island resort. This is a family with which I have but little acquainted myself.
The Chartreuse Swizzle:
1 1/4 oz. Chartreuse
1/2 oz. Falernum
1 oz. Pineapple juice
3/4 oz. lime juice
Stir on ice with a swizzle stick, serve on ice in a tall glass.
The result was pleasing. But I don’t know if it justifies the use of so much precious Chartreuse!*
Cheers!
P.S.: Thanks to Mr. Dionysis for notifying us that this recipe was his creation. Why couldn’t I have a last name like that?
*Chartreuse is much cheaper in Germany. Go figure.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
First of all, thank you for featuring my cocktail on your site. I’m not sure where you found it, but as a quick Google search for “Chartreuse Swizzle” turns up over 15,000 results, it could have been anywhere. It’s unfortunate that the recipe you found specifies ice cubes rather than crushed ice. As this is a swizzle, the crushed ice is very important. Without it, it’s difficult to get the proper dilution and temperature. I suggest you try it this way, serve it in a tall glass, and garnish with a mint sprig and a little nutmeg (fresh of course). I think you will enjoy it more this way, and find it is not a waste of good Chartreuse after all.
Cheers,
Marco Dionysos
Thanks for stopping by, Marco! I’ve updated the post to credit you. I don’t think that any of us found the drink, even improperly served and without garnish, to be a waste of Chartreuse.
Cheers!
Thanks for the suggestion Marco. We will be sure to try it your way and update our review. As soon as we dig up enough money for some more Chartreuse that is… love that stuff!