Within the mysterious production of the French liqueur Chartreuse there is a worldwide shortage and only two silent monks know the secret recipe of the drink
It’s one of the world’s most mysterious drinks – and one of the most popular.
However, a global shortage of French herbal liqueur Chartreuse is giving bartenders around the world particularly acute headaches.
That’s because it is a main ingredient in many cocktails, but has a unique flavor, meaning there is no direct substitute available.
Moreover, the recipe, a unique blend of herbs and plants, is a secret known only to two silent monks. And they have announced that they will not increase production, but will rather concentrate on their monastic duties.
The duo consists of Carthusian monks from the Grande-Chartreuse Monastery in France. The monks are silent except during communal prayer and recreation, so there is no chance of them sharing their secrets.
Chartreuse, which has a yellow or green hue, is based on a historical manuscript presented by a military commander to the monks of the Grande-Chartreuse Monastery in 1605. The manuscript contained a recipe for a supposed life-extending elixir and the monastery’s apothecary was ordered to recreate it.
The official Chartreuse website says: ‘It took the Carthusian monks more than 150 years of research to unravel the secret of the manuscript and fix the recipe.’
While their original brew had a potent 69 percent alcohol content, the final 1764 version, which is popular today, is a slightly less potent 55 percent.
Monk is the word: Chartreuse, a favorite among bartenders, is made at the Grande-Chartreuse Monastery in France. And only two monks know the exact recipe
The secret Chartreuse formula is known only to Dom Benoit and Brother Jean-Jacques (above)
After the distillation process, the drink is aged for several years before being ‘analyzed by the monks, who alone decide whether the drink can be bottled and marketed’
Although the recipe remains secret, Chartreuse is believed to contain 130 plants and herbs.
Currently, only Dom Benoit and Brother Jean-Jacques know the secret formula and the pair, closely involved in the production of the drink, do everything they can to ensure that the ingredients remain secret.
What is known about the production line?
Chartreuse tourism reveals: ‘The 18 tons of plants needed each year are delivered to the Grande-Chartreuse Monastery in St. Pierre de Chartreuse. In the “plant room” the dried plants are sorted, crushed, weighed and mixed. They are then delivered to the Voiron distillery in large numbered bags.’
After the distillation process, the drink is aged for several years before it is ‘analyzed by the monks, who alone decide whether the drink can be bottled and marketed’.
Although the Grande-Chartreuse Monastery is not open to visitors, tourists can visit it Caves of the Chartreusea museum and tasting room.
Lonely Planet explains: ‘The museum no longer gives away the recipe, but a tasting of the finished products is allowed.’
Chartreuse recommends serving the drink chilled or “on ice to discover all its flavor and aromatic power.”
Cocktail options include the Chartreuse Swizzle, mixed with pineapple and lime, or the Green Chaud, which combines the drink with hot chocolate and whipped cream.
A guided tour of the museum costs €12 (£10/$12) and is recommended for visitors reserve tickets in advance.
The Grande-Chartreuse Monastery (above) is not open to visitors, but they can visit the Caves de la Chartreuse, a museum and tasting room
