I bought a bottle of green chartreuse over a year ago, and kept forgetting to try it. Finally this summer I got my act together, and gin was my first go-to…not only because it’s my true love, but because I knew the botanicals would be a great fit for the chartreuse’s herbal punch.
Finally I stumbled upon a gin and green chartreuse cocktail called the Verdant Lady, and knew it was the one. Super simple—basically a take on the gimlet—but with a great blend of flavors.
We made it when my sister and brother-in-law were over, and my bro-in-law asked what the name of the drink was. She said “Verdant Lady”. “What lady?” “Verdant.” “What?”
Both of us said at the exact same time, “Verdant, like pastures…” Lol, when bible language is your best reference….
Verdant means “of a bright green color like lush grass”. The green chartreuse definitely is that bright green, and it does bring a lushness in this cocktail—cut by the icy mint and tart lime, overlaid with herbal notes.
What is green chartreuse? It’s a French liqueur made with 130 herbs by monks in France, with a fascinating natural green color. Some describe it as having a “licorice bite”, others find “citrus and fresh garden herbs” when it’s icy cold (I’m in this camp).
It can take on a slightly medicinal taste if overused or warm, but when deployed with a light hand it adds amazing depth to a number of different spirit and ingredient pairings.
So how do you make the Verdant Lady? This gin and green chartreuse cocktail couldn’t be any easier! Just fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add all the ingredients.
Shake for at least 15 seconds (more is better), taste to make sure the balance is right, and then strain into a (preferably chilled) cocktail glass. I recommend a lovely little coupe glass.
You really want the tart bite of the lime to come through and not let it be overpowered by the herbal chartreuse (which can then feel medicinal).
This is a cocktail recipe where I’d be a bit more precise in your measuring than you might normally be (particularly with the green chartreuse and lime juice)…I tend to get a little lazy and just squeeze the lime right in, but the balance between lime and chartreuse needs to be right.
Other tart & herbaceous gin cocktails you’ll love:
- Basil Gin Gimlet Cocktail
- Bohemian Cocktail (Gin, Elderflower, & Grapefruit)
- The “Last Word”: A Classic Gin Cocktail
- Basil Gin Smash
- Fizzy Rosemary Gin Gimlet
- A Classic “Army and Navy” Gin Cocktail
Adapted slightly from Bojon Gourmet
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The Verdant Lady (Gin & Green Chartreuse Cocktail)
This unique gin & green chartreuse cocktail is a perfect blend of tart, herbal, and boozy...a lovely refreshing cocktail for summer!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of a high-quality gin (fairly neutral profile)
- 3/4 ounce of lime juice (up to an ounce)
- 3/4 ounce of simple syrup
- Scant 1/3 ounce of green chartreuse (trust me, don't overdo it; a splash)
- 4 mint leaves
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add all the ingredients.
- Shake for at least 15 seconds (more is better). Taste to make sure the balance is right for you, and then strain into a cocktail glass. I recommend a coupe.
Notes
- This is a recipe where I'd be a bit more precise in your measurement than you might normally be (particularly around lime juice)...I tend to get a little lazy and just squeeze the lime right in, but the balance between lime and chartreuse needs to be right. You really want the tart bite of the lime to come through.
- Do not overdo the green chartreuse!! A little goes a very long way...
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