Chartreuse: How This Centuries-Old Liqueur Made Its Comeback

Chartreuse is a centuries-old French herbal liqueur made by the Carthusian monks, with a recipe dating back to at least the 1600s. The monks perfected Green and Yellow varieties by the 1800s to support their order, using a secret blend of more than 130 herbs. By the late 19th century, Chartreuse was highly sought after, with collectors willing to pay large sums for rare bottles, and even Pope Leo XIII reportedly offered the monks $16 million for the recipe—a proposal they declined.

In 1903, the monks were expelled from their monastery by the anti-clerical French government, forcing Chartreuse production to move to Tarragona, Spain, for several decades. Despite this, the liqueur maintained a reputation among aficionados, and some vintage bottles became prized collectibles. Chartreuse eventually returned to France in 1929, while production in Spain continued until 1989, creating overlapping vintages that remain highly valued by collectors today.

For much of the 20th century, Chartreuse struggled to gain mainstream popularity in the U.S. Efforts like the 1970s “Swampwater” cocktail—Green Chartreuse mixed with pineapple juice and lime—attempted to appeal to younger drinkers, but the liqueur remained a niche product. High proof, herbal complexity, and changing American tastes meant it was largely ignored, with sales dipping despite modest growth in previous decades.

The 21st century brought a revival. Bartenders rediscovered classic cocktails like The Last Word and began experimenting with both Green and Yellow Chartreuse in new creations such as the Naked & Famous and Piña Verde. This cocktail renaissance helped propel Chartreuse back into the spotlight, turning it into a cult favorite among bartenders, cocktail enthusiasts, and collectors alike.

In recent years, Chartreuse has become difficult to find, fueling social media buzz and making it almost a “viral” sensation despite being made by monks who take a vow of silence. The Carthusians deliberately limit production, even as demand surges globally. In the U.S., sales have doubled since the pandemic began, while worldwide production reached levels not seen since the late 1800s.

Today, Chartreuse’s combination of rich history, complex herbal flavor, and scarcity makes it a prized addition to any bar or collection. From its humble monastery origins to its current cult status in modern cocktail culture, the liqueur exemplifies a rare blend of tradition, mystery, and contemporary appeal.

Article originally by Aaron Goldfarb, VinePair