Perhaps no other spirit is surrounded by both the mysticism, and since the Covid home-cocktail boom, the fanaticism and scarcity like Chartreuse. This enigmatic French liqueur is a staple in cocktail culture and beloved by bartenders worldwide. But what exactly makes this neon-hued drink so special? Made with 130 herbs and botanicals, it’s renowned for being one of the only liqueurs that improves with age. First produced by Carthusian monks in 1737, the secret recipe is passed down, only two monks, know the exact blend of herbs, ranging from citrus rind to thyme, to saffron and beyond, the precise recipe has remained a well-guarded secret for centuries. Green Chartreuse uses a sugar beet-based spirit, while Yellow Chartreuse uses a grape-based spirit. Both are distilled in copper pots, macerated with botanicals, and aged in charred French oak barrels. Yellow Chartreuse has a sweeter, softer flavor profile. Its flavors are more subtle, with notes of honey, saffron, and anise spice. making it a versatile ingredient for cocktails. Excellent for sipping on its own, over ice, or in cocktails, particularly those requiring a sweeter, more aromatic component, such as the Widow’s Kiss. Or in The Naked and Famous, a modern classic cocktail created by Joaquín Simó (a BWE Customer), at Death & Co in New York in 2011. It is a four-ingredient "equal parts" cocktail known for its balance of smoky, bitter, and herbal notes.