Art of Choke

Another one from RogueBeta, this was invented at Violet Hour in Chicago. It is a beautiful combination of Cynar, Chartreuse, and mint, turning three strong flavors into a cohesive whole.

1 oz White Rum
1 oz Cynar
1/8 oz Lime Juice
+1/4 oz Green Chartreuse
Mint Sprig

Combine all ingredients in a glass and muddle the mint gently. Add ice, stir for 30 seconds and strain into an ice-filled down glass. Garnish with a mint sprig

Bijou

An oldie and a goodie.

1 1/2 oz Gin (Plymouth)
1/2 oz Green Chartreuse
1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes Orange Bitters

Combine in an ice-filled glass and stir for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry (optional).

Enjoy.

Jaguar

One of my favorite bartenders, Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli of Craigie on Main (formerly of Eastern Standard), created this winner in 2007. This is a serious drinker's drink. Don't spring this on your vodka tonic-drinking friend - he'll likely spit it out, and you will have wasted expensive ingredients.

1 1/2 oz Blanco Tequila
3/4 oz Amer Picon*
3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Combine in an ice-filled glass and stir for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a flamed orange peel.

*Amer Picon is very difficult to find. Some recommend the American approximation, Torani Amer. I have never tried the drink with the Torani product, but many who have tried it and the Picon say they are different animals.

Others like Amaro CioCiaro, which is another orange-heavy bitter from Italy.

Enjoy.

Green Ghost

Few drinks highlight the herbaceous flavor of Green Chartreuse as well as the Green Ghost.

2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Green Chartreuse

Combine ingredients in an ice-filled glass and shake for 15-20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lime slice.

Enjoy.

Diamondback

Like its deadly namesake, this drink is very potent. If properly made, however, the result is quite smooth.

1 1/2 oz Rye
3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
3/4 oz Applejack

Combine ingredients in an ice-filled glass and stir for 20-25 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Enjoy.

Final Ward

Phil Ward of New York's Death and Co. took a Last Word, tagged out the gin, and brought in rye. Like the Last Word, this is a delicious, complex cocktail.

3/4 oz Rye (Rittenhouse)
3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
3/4 oz Maraschino Liqueuer
3/4 oz Lime juice

Combine in an ice-filled glass, and shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Enjoy.

Last Word

Murray Stenson at Seattle's Zig Zag Cafe resurrected this unusually balanced drink. This is a must try.

3/4 oz Gin
3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
3/4 oz Maraschino Liqueur
3/4 oz lime juice

Combine in an ice-filled glass, and shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass with a maraschino cherry (optional) in the bottom.

Some bartenders prefer Yellow Chartreuse over the green. This substitution creates a slighter sweeter, less herbal drink. Both versions are delicious.

Enjoy.