Viva la Chartreuse

As the days get colder and shorter, I start thinking of comforts…lambswool sweaters, baked macaroni and cheese, cinnamon buns with lots of frosting (not “glaze”. Glaze is for killjoys). And Chartreuse. My favorite spirit. But I only drink it when it’s cold outside, especially when it’s snowing. Like so many good things, Chartreuse is French. And it is and isn’t chartreuse—it comes in emerald  green (which I prefer) and yellow. It has quite a history and a whole lot of ingredients (secret ingredients. Only two monks know the recipe)—130 herbal extracts go into it. I have read that it’s taken over ice, but I’ve only ever sipped it straight up at room temperature. It’s definitely not something one gets hammered on, but it is a wonderful, wonderful delight, taken at leisure. Like all good things. Try it, if you ever have the chance.