Chartreuse Élixir Végétal. This is an extra potent version of Green Chartreuse, clocking in at an incredible 69% abv, 14% higher than the standard (55%). Flavorwise, it’s more concentrated and less sweet than the regular (luckily it comes with a dasher to use like bitters). Notably, this variant was historically the original “elixir of life.”

Chartreuse is an herbal liqueur made by French Carthusian monks. It’s a historic product that’s been around for hundreds of years, and the first version came to life in 1737 in the form of the Élixir Végétal as a 69% abv tonic for long life. It took over 100 years of R&D to create this masterpiece of a liqueur, and was distributed in small quantities as a medicine.

It was so delicious and popular that a less “medicine”-focused version of the tonic came to market 27 years later at a lower proof. This 55% abv version is today’s “regular” Green Chartreuse.