Elixir Vegetal
Or more specifically, Élixir Végétal de la Grande-Chartreuse.
In the Chartreuse Mountains of eastern France lies the Grande Chartreuse monastery. The monks there support themselves by selling a liquor made of herbal extracts. If you've ever sampled from a bottle of green or yellow Chartreuse then you've helped support this monastery.
Regular Chartreuse is not all they make, though. They also create this Elixir Vegetal, sold (as far as I know) only in 100ml bottles that come in nice wooden holders. This concoction is 71% alcohol and is created from 130 different aromatic and medicinal herbs, plants, and flowers. Typically it is consumed in small quantities as a digestif: either a few drops on a sugar cube or a few drops in sugary water. In places like the United Kingdom it's more often found in a chemist's shop (aka pharmacy) than in a liquor store.
Because the monks have refused to disclose the ingredients list the import of Elixir Vegetal for sale in the United States is prohibited. It's by no means illegal to possess or consume, but it is only obtainable if you have someone outside the US willing to bring it to you.
I have my friend Paul to thank for this. He gifted me with this bottle because of some favors I've done for him, and I'm grateful. I can't begin to estimate how many cocktail aficionados of New Orleans own their own bottle of Elixir, but I know the number is small - in part because so few people have heard of it. I know I certainly hadn't until I started hanging out with some, ah, cocktail-ingredient-focused individuals.
So if you're in the neighborhood and feeling adventurous - or full from a massive rich decadent dinner - stop by and I'll put you to rights with a few drops of magic from this bottle.
Elixir Vegetal
Or more specifically, Élixir Végétal de la Grande-Chartreuse.
In the Chartreuse Mountains of eastern France lies the Grande Chartreuse monastery. The monks there support themselves by selling a liquor made of herbal extracts. If you've ever sampled from a bottle of green or yellow Chartreuse then you've helped support this monastery.
Regular Chartreuse is not all they make, though. They also create this Elixir Vegetal, sold (as far as I know) only in 100ml bottles that come in nice wooden holders. This concoction is 71% alcohol and is created from 130 different aromatic and medicinal herbs, plants, and flowers. Typically it is consumed in small quantities as a digestif: either a few drops on a sugar cube or a few drops in sugary water. In places like the United Kingdom it's more often found in a chemist's shop (aka pharmacy) than in a liquor store.
Because the monks have refused to disclose the ingredients list the import of Elixir Vegetal for sale in the United States is prohibited. It's by no means illegal to possess or consume, but it is only obtainable if you have someone outside the US willing to bring it to you.
I have my friend Paul to thank for this. He gifted me with this bottle because of some favors I've done for him, and I'm grateful. I can't begin to estimate how many cocktail aficionados of New Orleans own their own bottle of Elixir, but I know the number is small - in part because so few people have heard of it. I know I certainly hadn't until I started hanging out with some, ah, cocktail-ingredient-focused individuals.
So if you're in the neighborhood and feeling adventurous - or full from a massive rich decadent dinner - stop by and I'll put you to rights with a few drops of magic from this bottle.