ALL ABOUT CHARTREUSE:
Its history, value, and recipe unpacked
When we say Chartreuse, we could link it into a shade between green and yellow, but in the liquor’s dictionary, it is a gorgeous French drink in green or yellow versions with bold herbal flavors. The alcohol by volume varies between the two labels and is one of the strongest liqueurs on the market. In this article you’ll find a Chartreuse price guide as well as tasting notes, comparable liqueurs, cocktail recipes and more!
History
This beverage comes with a historical journey when Carthusian monks had started distilling Chartreuse in the mountains of Voiron guarded with a secret recipe back in the 1700s. Its name was derived from the monks’ monastery in the Chartreuse mountains, the Grande Chartreuse. What made this drink extra special is that it is composed of distilled alcohol mixed with 130 kinds of herbs, flowers, and plants. It’s flavors are only enhanced inside the bottle as years pass by. Have you ever wondered what it tastes like?
Chartreuse has a very strong and distinguished flavor. It has some sweetness to it added with some spicy and pungent taste. The herbs are also very evident from the flavor. While serving, we can try to serve it straight and cold, but usually, Chartreuse is served at room temperature.
This beverage is also popular with cocktails and some mixed drinks. Chartreuse could pour its magic with having few drops of it due to its strong, intense, and concentrated taste. Eddie Riddell, a bartender from Portland emphasized that when used in small amounts, Chartreuse can increase complexity and add a little sweetness to counter to have a contrast with the bitter and acidic element of the drink. We could also try this drink with some hot chocolate, as what most French people do.
Chartreuse Price Guide
The price of both Green and Yellow Chartreuse has increased greatly since 2022. As Covid drove many cocktail enthusiasts to stock their home bars, the Carthusian monks who produce the delicious spirit found themselves working overtime to keep up with the supply. In January of 2023, they released a statement saying they would scale down their production to pre-covid times so they could spend their time in devotion and prayer. Chartreuse is only sold exclusively under allocation making it much more difficult to find. Which of course causes the prices to soar at almost double what they were a few years ago.
| Type | Size | Avg Price | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chartreuse Green Liqueur | 700 ml | $68 | 110 |
| Chartreuse Yellow Liqueur | 700 ml | $45 | 80 |
| Chartreuse Green V.E.P. | 1 L | $155 | 108 |
| Chartreuse Yellow V.E.P | 1 L | $135 | 84 |
Chartreuse prices vary according to their bottle size and alcohol proof. Usually, Chartreus Green Liquer in 700ml with a 110-unit alcohol proof would range to $70 per bottle while the same beverage in yellow liquer with lesser alcohol unit of 80 is about $45. A 1-liter Chartreuse Green V.E.P with a 108 units of alcohol costs a dazzling $155 while the Yellow V.E.P Chartreuse still in 1 liter with 84-unit alcohol costs $135.
Other Liqueurs by Comparison
Jägermeister
When compared to other similar liquors, we can say that Chartreuse is considerably more expensive. For instance, a 70 proof 1.75 liter of Jägermeister  costs $32 on average, while the 1 liter is about $28. A 750 ml bottle will run you about $23.
| Type | Size | Avg Price | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jägermeister | 1.75 ml | $32 | 70 |
| 1.75 ml | $28 | 70 | |
| 750 ml | $23 | 70 |
Disaronno
Disaronno is also somewhat cheaper when compared to Chartreuse. The 1.75 L bottle with 56-unit alcohol proof has an average cost of $50, while smaller bottles of 1 liter are about $38 and $30 for its 750ml bottle.
| Type | Size | Avg Price | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disaronno | 1.75 ml | $50 | 56 |
| 1 L | $38 | 56 | |
| 750 ml | $30 | 56 |
St. Germaine
On the other hand, a floral liquor called St. Germain has a sublime taste of wild, handpicked elderflowers. A 750 ml bottle will cost you approximately $37 and $22 for the smaller 375ml bottle. While we’re talking about elderflower liqueurs, a very similar yet even cheaper alternative to St. Germaine is St. Elder. It has a slightly richer and more syrupy mouthfeel with a more intense elderflower flavor. Some bartenders prefer the more concentrated flavor when mixing cocktails because it dilutes the drink less.
| Type | Size | Avg Price | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Germaine | 750 ml | $37 | 40 |
| 375 ml | $22 | 40 | |
| St. Elder | 750 ml | $23 | 40 |
| 375 ml | $15 | 40 |
Cointreau
Cointreau, a French, orange liqueur, is also less expensive than Chartreuse with an average cost of $40 per 1 liter bottle, $36 per 750ml  bottle and around $34 for a 700ml of bottle.
| Item 1 | Item 2 | Item 3 | Item 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cointreau | 1 L | $40 | 80 |
| 750 ml | $36 | 80 | |
| 700 ml | $34 | 80 |
CHARTREUSE ALTERNATIVES
Chartreuse is a very rare liquor that comes at an expensive price. Since it is rare, there are only a few which could be considered as a substitute to this drink. For green Chartreuse, Genepy from Dolin is the closest to when compared to other liquors. It would range from around $30 to $35 per 750ml of bottle.
For Yellow Chartreuse, Strega would be a good alternative. With its sugary sweet taste that turns into a bitter shot from the herbal component, this bottle costs around $36 for 750mls.
CHARTREUSE MIXOLOGY
Although Chartreuse is an expensive liquor, there are actually a ton of recipes that call for it. Because of its complex flavors, it compliments a wide variety of liquors. Grab a bottle and try these recipes or experiment on your own today!
Dead Rabbit’s Tipperary
- 1½ oz. Irish whiskey
- 1 oz. sweet vermouth
- ½ oz. green Chartreuse
- ½ oz. chilled water
- 1 tsp. rich simple syrup (2:1)
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Combine all ingredients in the mixing glass. Fill it with ice and stir to chill. Strain into cocktail glass and serve.
Last Word
- .75 oz Green Chartreuse
- .75 oz gin
- .75 oz maraschino liqueur
- .75 oz fresh lime juice
Combine all ingredients in shaker. Add ice and shake hard. Double strain into cocktail glass and garnish with brandied cherry.