The Little Green Book of Chartreuse

A Spirited Look at a Legendary Liqueur

Some spirits are simply enjoyed. Others develop an almost legendary reputation. Chartreuse belongs firmly in the second category.

With its unmistakable green color, intensely herbal flavor, and centuries-old secret recipe, Chartreuse has earned a devoted following among cocktail enthusiasts, adventurous drinkers, and those who appreciate a little mystery in their glass.

In The Little Green Book of Chartreuse: Devotion, Libation, and the Holy Spirit, with Recipes, authors Jordan Mackay and Paul Einbund explore the fascinating history of this unusual French liqueur. Along the way, they uncover stories of devoted monks, closely guarded traditions, international commerce, and the cocktail culture that helped transform Chartreuse into a modern cult favorite.

As reviewer Briana Olson observes, the book occasionally takes its subject a little too seriously. Nevertheless, its charming presentation, entertaining historical details, and impressive collection of recipes make it an enjoyable read.

A Secret More Than 400 Years in the Making

The story of Chartreuse begins in 1605, when a mysterious handwritten manuscript containing a formula for an “elixir of long life” was presented to the Carthusian monks.

Over the centuries, that formula evolved into the distinctive herbal liqueur recognized around the world today.

Green Chartreuse is famously produced using approximately 130 botanicals, including a carefully selected combination of herbs, flowers, roots, and other plants. Its exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret.

Even the source of its remarkable green color carries an element of mystery. Unlike many modern spirits, Chartreuse reportedly derives its distinctive coloring entirely from plants.

The book offers glimpses into its ingredients and production methods, revealing that the alcohol base includes wine brandies and neutral spirits derived from beets. However, anyone hoping to uncover the complete recipe will be disappointed. The monks have successfully protected that secret for generations.

Monks, Mountains, and Modern Commerce

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Chartreuse is the contrast between its spiritual origins and its modern commercial success.

The Carthusian monks are known for lives devoted to prayer, contemplation, and silence. Yet the liqueur they produce has become a fixture in fashionable cocktail bars around the world.

The image of monks quietly gathering herbs from gardens nestled in the French Alps is certainly romantic. The reality, however, is considerably more complicated.

Producing Chartreuse requires an international network of suppliers providing carefully selected botanicals from around the world.

This unlikely relationship between monastic simplicity and global commerce is one of the book’s most fascinating themes.

Chartreuse also plays an important financial role in supporting Carthusian monasteries worldwide, demonstrating how a centuries-old tradition continues to sustain a religious community.

A Little Book With Plenty of Personality

Despite its occasionally serious tone, The Little Green Book of Chartreuse doesn’t read like a dry historical textbook.

Its green binding and matching page edges give it a distinctive appearance, making it equally at home on a coffee table or behind a well-stocked bar.

Short sections explore subjects ranging from daily life inside a Carthusian monastery to appearances of Chartreuse in popular culture.

Readers might be surprised to discover that musician Tom Waits once referenced the liqueur in a song.

The book also explores the history of Chartreuse production, offers guidance for identifying older bottles, and provides fascinating details about the spirit’s journey through French history.

One particularly interesting revelation concerns its earliest production. Although Chartreuse is strongly associated with the French Alps, early versions were likely produced in Paris at a large Carthusian monastery. That property eventually became part of what is now the Luxembourg Gardens following the French Revolution.

These historical details make the book entertaining even for readers who have never tasted Chartreuse.

More Than Just a History Book

Of course, a book devoted to a legendary liqueur wouldn’t be complete without recipes.

Mackay and Einbund include an extensive selection of cocktails, ranging from relatively simple classics to elaborate creations better suited to professional bartenders.

Among the best-known is the Last Word, a cocktail traditionally prepared with equal parts Green Chartreuse, gin, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.

The combination produces a distinctive balance of herbal complexity, sweetness, and acidity.

Other recipes include the Bijou, a classic gin cocktail featuring Chartreuse and sweet vermouth.

Readers will also discover recipes inspired by nineteenth-century drinking traditions and Prohibition-era cocktail guides.

For those interested in experimenting beyond the cocktail shaker, the book includes culinary creations such as Chartreuse Sorrel Sauce and Chartreuse Ice Cream.

Some recipes require specialty ingredients that may not be found in the average home bar. Nevertheless, the collection offers plenty of inspiration for anyone interested in exploring the versatility of this unusual spirit.

A Celebration of Something Unusual

Ultimately, The Little Green Book of Chartreuse is less an investigation into the mysteries of the famous liqueur and more a celebration of everything that makes it extraordinary.

The authors clearly admire Chartreuse, and their enthusiasm carries throughout the book.

Readers looking for a critical examination of the relationship between religion, commerce, and modern drinking culture may wish the authors had explored those subjects more deeply.

But that isn’t really the book’s purpose.

Instead, it invites readers to appreciate the history, craftsmanship, traditions, and remarkable longevity of a spirit unlike almost anything else on the market.

Whether you’re a longtime Chartreuse enthusiast, an amateur bartender, or simply someone who enjoys discovering unusual stories, this little green book offers an entertaining journey into a fascinating corner of culinary history.

And who knows? The next time you find yourself sitting at a cocktail bar, you might feel inspired to skip your usual order and ask for something a little more adventurous.

Perhaps even a Lawn Dart.

After all, part of the appeal of Chartreuse has always been the pleasure of discovering something unexpected.

Book: The Little Green Book of Chartreuse: Devotion, Libation, and the Holy Spirit, with Recipes
Authors: Jordan Mackay and Paul Einbund
Original Review: Briana Olson