With the warm days of summer now fading off into the distance in our rear view mirrors, let's pay one last tribute to the greens of summer before the frosts come and our outdoor herb gardens give up the ghost for the winter. For our theme for this month, I have chosen: (it's not easy) "Bein' Green." (Perchance due in no small part to my predilection for Green Chartreuse.) I'm giving you a wide berth on this one, anything using a green ingredient is fair play. There's not only the aforementioned Chartreuse; how about Absinthe Verte, aka the green fairy. Or Midori, that stuff is pretty damn green. Crème de menthe? Why not? Douglas Fir eau de vie? Bring it! Apple schnapps? Uh...well...it is green. I suppose if you want to try to convince me it makes something good you can have at it. But it doesn't have to be the liquor. Limes are green. So is green tea. Don't forget the herb garden: mint, basil, cilantro, you name it - all fair game. There's also the veritable cornucopia from the farmers market: green apples, grapes, peppers, olives, celery, cucumbers...you get the idea. Like I said, wide berth. Base, mixer, and or garnish; if it's green it's good. Surprise me. Use at least one, but the more the merrier.
With that prompt, my thoughts quickly turned to Green Chartreuse. While it took me a while to warm up to herbal liqueurs, I'm rather fond of the way they can bring savory character to a cocktail.
The first version of this drink is a simple variation on the Yellow Jacket cocktail, using Green Chartreuse instead of Yellow. I had the original at the Teardrop Lounge a few months back but found it a bit too sweet and the liqueurs completely dominating the tequila. While it's hard to resist their power, I found this version to be a bit more balanced. The name comes from a species of metallic green bees, which I just learned are a real thing.
1.5 oz reposado tequila
0.5 oz St. Germain
0.5 oz Green Chartreuse
1 dash orange bitters
Combine all ingredients, stir with ice for 15 seconds, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a strip of lemon peel.
The nose is dominated by the spicy herbal notes of Green Charteuse, though the floral grapefruit notes of St. Germain manage to get some attention. The sip is sweet, but not in a cloying fashion, with the sugar primarily giving the drink body. Once again, the Charteuse and St. Germain are front and center, but the tequila's agave notes make themselves known along with the other herbaceous/vegetal elements.
Taxanus Remixed1.5 oz reposado tequila
0.5 oz St. Germain
0.5 oz Green Chartreuse
0.25 oz lime juice
1 dash orange bitters
Combine all ingredients, cool in the freezer, then add to a chilled cocktail glass and top with soda water. Stir briefly to combine everything.
The nose is similar to the first version, though slightly muted in comparison. The sip is a bit more integrated, without so many standouts, as the acidity of the lime and soda water keep the liqueurs in check. Overall I would rate this is an excellent cooler, more mild than its pure spirits sibling.
Thanks to Ed for hosting. I look forward to many MxMos to come!
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