Chartreuse Swizzle recipe
An herbaceous modern tiki masterpiece built on potent French liqueur and crushed ice.
Method: Swizzled ·
Glass: Chimney glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: Tiki & Tropical
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 oz Green Chartreuse
- 1/2 oz Falernum
- 3/4 oz Fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz Pineapple juice (Aged or unsweetened)
How to make a Chartreuse Swizzle
- Combine Green Chartreuse, falernum, fresh lime juice, and pineapple juice in a chimney glass.
- Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.
- Insert a swizzle stick or bar spoon into the glass and spin rapidly between your palms to frost the outside and integrate the ingredients.
- Top up with more crushed ice to form a stable dome.
- Garnish with a generous dusting of freshly grated nutmeg and a vibrant mint bouquet.
Garnish
Freshly grated nutmeg and a mint sprig bouquet
Pro tip
Spin the swizzle stick with a rapid back-and-forth palm motion rather than stirring circularly to achieve proper aeration and dilution without melting the ice too quickly.
History of the Chartreuse Swizzle
Invented by bartender Marcovaldo Dionysos at San Francisco's famed Smuggler's Cove in 2003, this drink catapulted Green Chartreuse into the modern tropical canon and sparked a global revival of the traditional Caribbean swizzle technique. Modern bartenders still keep Chartreuse Swizzle in circulation because the recipe shows a clear point of view without needless decoration.
Flavour profile
Herbal, Tart, Complex, Spicy
Variations
- Yellow Chartreuse Swizzle — Substitute Yellow Chartreuse for Green for a softer, honeyed, and milder botanical profile.
- Smoky Chartreuse Swizzle — Add a quarter-ounce of peated Islay Scotch or mezcal to introduce a rich, smoky counterpoint to the alpine herbs.
- Overproof Chartreuse Swizzle — Float a quarter-ounce of overproof Jamaican rum on top before garnishing for an extra layer of funk and strength.
Practise making the Chartreuse Swizzle in the free Virtual Bar game.