Darcy S. ONeil

How to Make Chartreuse

Added 2024-07-07 16:19:03 +0000 UTC

Chartreuse has become a rare commodity, but it was scarce in the 1800s as well. Luckily, chemists and distillers documented many clone-type recipes (32 and counting posted below) for the prized elixir, allowing us to start making Chartreuse at home with some historical guidance.

Historical recipes are rarely exact, meaning they are just a starting point—an educated guess—and work will be required to tune the formula closer to the original. The 32 recipes below will allow you to understand the different compounds used to make Chartreuse and can help you tweak your own formula.

If you have any questions, post them below. I'm also working on a recipe, but because of the complex nature of Chartreuse and the quantity of ingredients and alcohol used, it can be difficult, but I will eventual publish the recipe as a formula sheet.

Video Recipe

2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
2 drops Angelica Root Essential Oil
1 drop Lemon Balm (Melissa) Oil
1 drop Hyssop Essential Oil
1 drop Cinnamon Essential Oil
1 drop Mace or Nutmeg Essential Oil
1 drop Fennel or Aniseed Essential Oil
1 drop Sandalwood Essential Oil
1 drop Lemon Thyme Oil (or lemon oil0
1 drop White Thyme Oil
1/4 drop Ambrette Essential Oil
750 mL 95% Alcohol (Everclear)
333 grams Sugar
280 mL Water

Instructions

1. Make a simple syrup with the sugar and water.
2. Carefully measure out the essential oils and dissolve in a small amount of alcohol
3. Combine simple syrup with the alcohol and the essential oil
4. Stir to dissolve and combine thoroughly
5. Colour if desired.

Notes

a. Peppermint can overpower this formula, so you may want to start with a single drop
b. Ageing the flavours for a week can help smooth things out
c. If you want to adjust the formula, add single drops to the finished liqueur and mix

Using Vodka

If you can't find 95% alcohol, you can use vodka. Skip adding the extra water, and you will need roughly 1100 mL to 1200 mL of vodka to complete the formula.