This cocktail surprised me. I didn’t aim to create something green or unique—I just wanted to use Chartreuse and found out a lot of new things about it while crafting. I originally wanted yellow Chartreuse, but I live in a small town and couldn't find the lovely liqueur made golden with saffron. Green, though, was available, so upon finding it, I bought it immediately!
The 130 mystery herbs, plants, and flowers used in creating Chartreuse come forward here—and I applaud anyone who can even taste ten of those with their palette. What I taste in this cocktail is the herbal flavor balanced with honey and a general sense of SPRING in every sip. Some friends who tested this with me like the cocktail bubbly with club soda, but I like to shake it with ice and serve it in a martini or champagne coupe.
Bee Blossom
Serves 20 (in a 10-ounce rocks glass filled halfway with ice) but will serve more if combined with sparkling water
2 cups honey
2 cups water
8 cups Coppercraft gin
2 ⅓ cup lemon juice (I prefer this brand)
2 ⅓ cups Green Chartreuse
3 tablespoons Scrappy’s Orange Bitters*
5 cups sparkling water (optional)
Make the honey simple syrup:
Combine 3 cups of honey with 3 cups of water. Shake well to mix and combine. This will make a bit more than is needed for the cocktail.
Make the cocktail:
Combine lemon juice, Green Chartreuse, honey syrup, and gin in a gallon container.
Add orange bitters and shake vigorously. This drink separates easily and will need to be stirred often while serving. Ideally, a cocktail shaker should be placed next to the punch bowl so guests can shake their cocktail if desired.
Club soda can also be added for lightweights in the crowd—this cocktail is STRONG!
*Don't substitute aromatic bitters for the orange bitters. Orange is the key to this cocktail being smooth instead of abrasive. Other brands of orange bitters will do, but I prefer Scrappy's.
Purchase the Lark Cocktails book for dozens more great recipes! #livinglark
