French liqueur "Chartreuse": description, recipe and reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Chartreuse liqueur is often called the French longevity extract. Its history began during the search for the elixir of he alth by alchemists. The taste of this drink is both sweet, spicy and spicy. It has a powerful herbal aftertaste. Liquor was produced more than three centuries ago by Carthusian monks in one of the monasteries located near Grenoble. More than 130 plants are soaked in a strong wine liquid, which are subsequently infused for five years.

History

The appearance of the famous liquor is covered with many legends. It all started with a mysterious manuscript. It was an old manuscript given by Marshal d'Estry to the Carthusian monks. On paper, it was described how to prepare the "Elixir of Longevity". All this happened in 1605. But the recipe then did not interest the monks because of its complexity. So they left it in the monastery library and forgot about it for a hundred years.

At the beginning of the 18th century, the manuscript ended up in a monastery built near Grenoble. It was called La Grande-Chartreuse. Recipe startedscrupulously study Jerome Mabec - a local pharmacist. He spent several years trying to decipher the mysterious manuscript. But in the end, he nevertheless created the Chartreuse liqueur, which is distinguished by its extraordinary taste and healing qualities.

The monastery of Grande Chartreuse in 1737 began selling a miraculous elixir for medicinal use. The drink quickly gained popularity and has not lost it today. By the following year, the recipe had been improved. And thus the "Green Chartreuse" was born. Its strength reached 55 degrees. During its existence, Chartreuse liqueur has undergone many changes. Many events were associated with him. But he remained a valuable and expensive alcoholic drink, which was appreciated by gourmets around the world.

Chartreuse today

Modern liqueur "Chartreuse" in all its varieties is made in French Voiron. For its production, collections of herbs and plants are used, harvested by two monks from the famous monastery of Grande Chartreuse. The original recipe is kept in the strictest confidence by the brothers. It cannot be patented, which contributes to the preservation of the monopoly on the manufacture of alcohol by the Carthusian Order.

In 1970, the Chartreuse Diffusion Society was organized by the monks, and all rights to the preparation and distribution of Carthusian liqueurs are assigned to it. It was this organization that in 1989 issued a decree that all varieties of Chartreuse liqueurs should be created in an ancient monastery in the Alps, from where, in fact, theyhappened.

Production

Chartreuse liqueur recipe is quite complicated. It includes a lot of components. For the "Green Chartreuse" it is necessary to collect about 130 names of various plants. Other types of drink require slightly fewer ingredients.

Liquor is prepared as follows: a tinned copper sieve must be placed in a distillation flask, which contains 250 grams of fresh lemon mint, 150 grams of oily herb, 125 grams each of Alpine Chernobyl, blue St. John's wort and angelica seeds. It also includes one hundred grams of orange peels and the same amount of cinchona. The recipe also contains musk grains, orange fruits, nutmegs - these ingredients are taken in an amount of 50 g. Then the sieve must have 30 grams of Ceylon cinnamon, cardamom, celery seeds, angelica roots, oily root, white ginger, nutmeg, cloves and Jamaican pepper. The composition is completed by 25 grams of Tonkin beans, 10 - black pepper. In addition, you will need 10 liters of soft water. We take three times more alcohol. Its strength is 96%.

The contents of the distillation flask are heated for eight hours. Then the resulting composition is filtered by adding 200 grams of burnt magnesia to it. Then pour sugar and bring the contents of the flask to one hundred liters. The drink is bottled in oak barrels and infused for five years.

Varieties

"Chartreuse" - liqueur, the price for one bottle of which reaches ten thousand rubles, is produced in threemain varieties:

1. Grande Chartreuse Herbal Elixir. It is said that the recipe for this drink is most reminiscent of the original method of preparation. The fortress of this option reaches 69 degrees. The burning, bitter taste of the elixir does not allow drinking it in its pure form. It is used in the preparation of various tinctures.
2. Chartreuse Green liqueur with a strength of 55 degrees. It was he who was created by the monks in the XVII century. This variety is the most popular. It is used as a digestif and added to various cocktails. As a rule, this version of the liqueur is served with ice. It has a spicy taste with chords of various herbs.
3. "Yellow Chartreuse", created in 1838. Has a 40-degree fortress. The yellow tint of the drink provides the presence of saffron.

Healing qualities of Chartreuse liqueur

Due to the fact that the product is prepared on the basis of natural herbs, its positive effect on the human body was noted. If you consume no more than 35 grams of the drink daily, then metabolic processes will accelerate, the functioning of the biliary tract and liver will normalize, and digestion will improve. Also, the liquor gives a person energy and strength, eliminates respiratory diseases, relieves stomach cramps and headaches.

"Chartreuse" increases the level of body resistance, treats colds and viral diseases, relieves bloating. French liqueur is an excellent substance for treating and washing wounds, various cuts and bruises. For joint painit can be used as a compress. "Chartreuse" receives only positive reviews. Gourmets who have tried it say that, despite the strength, the drink is tender and soft. He drinks very easily. People also claim that the liquor perfectly invigorates and has an unsurpassed aroma. If you believe the reviews, then after drinking the drink in the evening, in the morning there will be no hangover. Users say that it will be a great addition to the table for any occasion: whether it's a chic celebration or a quiet family evening.

Cooking liquor at home

Chartreuse liqueur can also be prepared at home. True, it will turn out a little different from the original. But if there is no way to buy a real drink, then why not make it yourself? For a homemade recipe, you will need two grams of oils: cloves, lemon, cinnamon and nutmeg. People who have tried the recipe say that they give the drink notes of freshness and spice. You also need to take a little more oil: 10 grams - angelica, 20 - peppermint. It will take 15 liters of alcohol, 20 liters of vodka. And also - 20 kilograms of sugar.

All of these oils must be mixed with 15 liters of alcohol. Then, on the basis of vodka and sugar, you need to boil the syrup. When it is ready, it is cooled and added to the alcohol mixture. It is recommended to strain the finished tincture before bottling it.