Yellow Chartreuse
Yellow Chartreuse is a French liqueur made by Carthusian monks. It was created in 1838 as a gentler alternative to it's more famous big brother, green Chartreuse. Yellow Chartreuse at 80 proof is lower in alcohol and has a sweeter more mellow flavor profile.
Though it tastes and looks different, Yellow Chartreuse is made in the same fashion as green using over 130 plants, roots, and spices in the secret recipe. The color comes mostly from saffron.
Yellow Chartreuse cocktails
The yellow version of this liqueur not very well known so you might be surprised to find it used in a fair amount of cocktails. In fact, I was fairly startled to find how many recipes in my copy of Jones' Complete Barguide contained Yellow Chartreuse.
A good cocktail to start with is an Alaska cocktail. This is basically a Chartreuse Martini so you get see how Yellow Chartreuse does as a modifier with gin. When you find a bar that has Yellow Chartreuse, try this drink to see if you like it before dropping $50 on a bottle.
You can also drink Yellow Chartreuse neat either room temperature or chilled.
If you are looking for a substitute for Yellow Chartreuse, there are no great ones. Some reasonably good substitutes are Strega or Galliano L'Authentico (the new 84.6 proof version).
How do you drink your Yellow Chartreuse?
| Brand | Chartreuse |
| Country | France |
| Flavors | Herbal |
| Retail Price | $45 / 750 ml |
| Proof | 80 (40%) |