The Carthusian Monks have decided their monkness is more important than producing some of the tastiest , greenest, most herbaciously delicious liqueur this world has ever seen, and I’m mad about it. Not that the anger and despair is justified (well, the despair certainly is); it’s just a key ingredient in my favorite cocktail. A cocktail I only recently discovered. Right when everyone else apparently did, which is why the world is in this fucking mess. I hate people.
That’s why I drink. Shameless plug for “And That’s Why We Drink” podcast.
The good (if you can even really call it that…maybe “less bad” is more accurate?) news is, there are a few solid substitutes. One such substitute is Yellow Chartreuse. Problem is, the yellow stuff is harder to find than the green stuff. Why would you even mention this, you might ask. Well…because segue. Yellow Chartreuse has been described as Green Chartreuse’s sweeter, well-behaved sister. She’s got many of the same herbs as her older, more sophisticated sister, but is a little milder, a little honeyed, and a lot yellow. The stuff looks almost radioactive—but it’s all natural. I guess so is radioactivity.
If Green Chartreuse is Yellow Chartreuse’s fraternal twin, Strega is Yellow Chartreuse’s actual twin. Maternal? Identical? Just “twin”? IDK.
Strega, along with the Chartreuses, falls into a category of spirits called “Alpine Spirits,” which are all…you know…made in the Alps. Alpine spirits tend to be herby, bitter and high-alcohol, with the aim being to warm you up in the snowy mountains. Strega has a nearly identical flavor profile to Yellow Chartreuse, but is sweeter and lower ABV. Her beautiful highlighter-yellow hue comes from the saffron, and the flavor comes from witches.
Haha, JK.
Only Strega’s name is witchy. Indeed, it translates directly to “Witch.” There’s a whole back story to the town in which Strega was born, and I encourage you to Google that shit since I ain’t got the time or space to write it all down here. I will, however, give you what you came here for: the recipe.
I’m sure this cocktail has an official name, but I was too lazy to track it down, so I’m calling it the “Penultimate Word.”
Don’t know what “penultimate” means? Look that up too. And if you’re a lawyer, use it during depositions and watch the confusion ensue. Especially with those witnesses who think they’re hot shit. I promise they won’t know what it means, and watching them try to figure it out without looking like they’re trying to figure it out is hilarious.
PENULTIMATE WORD
1 ounce Gin (I use either Tanqueray 10 or Nolet)
1 ounce Strega
1 ounce Maraschino Liqueur
1 ounce Lemon juice
1 Filthy cherry to garnish
DIRECTIONS
Pour all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake for about 12-15 seconds before double-straining into a coupe glass and topping with the Filthy cherry. Sip while casting spells.
Just Jelli 