Chartreuse Martini

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/16/21
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Chartreuse Martini

The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

Few Chartreuse cocktails offer as pure a taste of the green herbal liqueur as the Chartreuse martini. The recipe is straightforward, and all you really need to do is add green Chartreuse to the classic gin martini.

The green Chartreuse in this cocktail adds a subtle touch of sweetened herbs that pairs wonderfully with the botanicals found in gin and dry vermouth. It also makes this a fabulous dinner drink. Gin and vermouth are apéritifs, and Chartreuse is a digestif, so enjoy it before, during, or after a meal. It will enhance the experience, no matter what's on the table.

As a bonus, the Chartreuse martini offers the allure of its beautiful green color. As one of the few green cocktails that don't rely on melon, green apple, or mint liqueurs, it's a nice change of pace.

"This recipe is new for me but pleasantly tastes exactly as it reads. The Martini’s an exceptional vehicle for gin, gin goes swimmingly with Chartreuse, so this cocktail takes to the palate like a duck to water. I recommend stirring these ingredients together as the flavors and mouthfeel will be a much more enjoyable journey." —Sean Johnson

Chartreuse Martini Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces gin

  • 1/2 ounce green Chartreuse liqueur

  • 1/2 ounce dry vermouth

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Chartreuse martini ingredients

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the gin, Chartreuse, and dry vermouth.

    In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the gin, Chartreuse, and dry vermouth

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  3. Shake well.

    Cocktail shaker ingredients in a shaker

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Serve and enjoy.

    Chartreuse martini, strained into a glass

    The Spruce / Madhumita Sathishkumar

What Herbs Are in Chartreuse?

Carthusian monks continue to produce Chartreuse based on centuries-old secret recipes. Both green and yellow Chartreuse are flavored with around 130 different botanicals, including herbs and spices. Each liqueur has citrus notes, but only a few ingredients are disclosed: Green Chartreuse is dominated by clove, rosemary, and thyme, whereas yellow Chartreuse features anise, honey, saffron, and violet.

Tips

  • Just like any liquor-only martini, you may prefer to stir this cocktail. Experiment with the two methods to see which you enjoy most.
  • Top-shelf gin is highly recommended for the Chartreuse martini. London dry gins are great choices, offering a classic juniper-forward profile that works very well against Chartreuse. Many craft gins don't follow the traditional flavor profile but would excel in this cocktail as well.
  • Make sure that your dry vermouth is not outdated. Once a bottle is open, it has a shelf life of just two to three months in the refrigerator. If your vermouth doesn't fit any of that description, it's time to replace it.

Recipe Variations

  • Make the Chartreuse martini "dirty" by adding a little olive juice. For a more subtle twist, give it the essence of olives by adding a few olives as a garnish.
  • Yellow Chartreuse will work just as well as its green counterpart in the martini. The two liqueurs use different flavoring ingredients, so the drink's taste will change.

Does Chartreuse Need to Be Refrigerated?

Chartreuse is a high-proof, lightly sweetened liqueur, so it has a nearly indefinite shelf life. Open bottles do not require refrigeration but should be kept in a cool place out of direct sunlight.

How Strong Is a Chartreuse Martini?

Green Chartreuse is bottled at 110 proof (55 percent ABV). It is not a light liqueur and makes this a potent drink, which is why it's served at just 3 ounces. Falling in line with similar martinis, this cocktail should be in the 32 percent ABV (64 proof) range.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
160 Calories
0g Fat
2g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 160
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 15mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)