Nov8

Improved Chartreuse Swizzle

Gabe and Rick looking lustily into each other's eyes while delicately sipping a Chartreuse Swizzle

Thought the Chartreuse Swizzle couldn’t be improved?

The Pineapple Juice

Make your own pineapple juice! Canned pineapple juice is a horrific, Reaver-like abomination not worthy of even your tipsiest patron. Bottled, “high-quality” pineapple juice is not much better. Do you use bottled lemon juice? Exactly. The creamy tang and brightness of fresh pineapple juice is incomparable.

Simply skin, core, and cut up a pineapple – don’t worry about getting every last eye or bit of core; you’ll be straining it and the nasty bits aren’t really that bitter. Use a juicer of some variety and strain. From my tests, pineapple juice should stay fresh if kept sealed in the refrigerator for at least two days. (Full credit goes to Tiare of A Mountain of Crushed Ice for convincing me of my ill-begotten ways when I used to use canned pineapple juice.)

The JWray

Two years ago, casting cocktailian spells alongside the white wizard, Chris Stanley, we tossed a newt’s foot into our Chartreuse Swizzle in the form of 1/4oz of Wray and Nephew overproof rum. It was like we just cast Nailed-to-the-Sky on our potion – pure genius. I’ve not made it without JWray since.

The Glass

Use at least a 16oz glass for this drink. You want way more crushed ice than you think you need. Your Chartreuse Swizle should be as cold as Stan Jones’ lifeless corpse.

The Garnishes

The aroma of mint and nutmeg should herald each sip like a blaring rendition of “Heat of the Moment,” by Asia. You’re not going to be drinking what’s scattered on the ice at the top of the drink, so don’t hold back – go ahead and grate 1/8th of a whole nutmeg on top.

And the mint? Find the hugest sprig (or several) you can, and jam them deep into the glass. Put it right next to your straw so each time you pause to inhale from sucking the drink down you get a nose-strike of mint. Hell, wind it up your straw if you can. And don’t forget to delicately spank it ahead of time to release some of the oils.

Improved Chartreuse Swizzle

  • 1 1/2oz green Chartreuse
  • 1/4oz Wray and Nephew overproof rum
  • 3/4oz lime juice
  • 1oz pineapple juice
  • 1/2oz falernum
  • nutmeg and mint, for garnish

Swizzle all but the garnishes with the delicate force of a ballerina ice giant. Garnish like you’re an herb goddess.

KP Question

  • How many Chartreuse Swizzles did you consume this year?

19 Responses to “Improved Chartreuse Swizzle”

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19 Comments to “ Improved Chartreuse Swizzle”
  1. I had surprisingly few Chartreuse Swizzles this year for as many times as the drink has come up in conversation. Then again, I’ve been out of Chartreuse for most of the year.

  2. RickNo Gravatar says:

    Camper – I just used my last tsp of it the other night for a TDN drink. I think I’ve had, maybe, 2 bottles this year :(

  3. SeanMikeNo Gravatar says:

    What a romantic picture! We’ll get to recreate it in just a few weeks!

    What about making one IN a cored pineapple?

  4. I think I’ve only had the one double at drink.write. I say with experience, please use the VEP for your swizzle at least once in your life. Also, as the KP notes, freshly juiced pineapple, please.

  5. NathanNo Gravatar says:

    Jack LaLanne Power Juicer FTW, baby! It turns a quartered pineapple into delicious juice in 60 seconds!

    Now the question is, what do I do with my last two ounces of Chartreuse? I vowed not to buy more until I could get it off the shelf at my friendly state liquor store some time later this month. Do I make a delicious Chartreuse Swizzle? Or do I just shoot it?

  6. StephanieNo Gravatar says:

    “Heat of the Moment” must now be added to the ever-growing list of karaoke songs we have to one day sing. Just sayin…

  7. DagrebNo Gravatar says:

    Every sipper is a winner!

  8. FredericNo Gravatar says:

    This year, I believe I have only had the 4 Chartreuse Swizzles — one each night of Tales.

    Previous to that, I had them at two different bars in Boston in 2009.

    And Stan Jones’ corpse would probably warm up to the idea of a Galliano Swizzle…

  9. Lush AngelesNo Gravatar says:

    I’m up to six so far, most consumed at either 320 Main in Seal Beach or Rivera in Downtown LA

  10. TiareNo Gravatar says:

    I have no idea how many i`ve had..but many it is! at 2/3 of my bottle of Smith&Cross has gone into chartreuse swizzles. I`m out of JWray so i need to get me a new bottle so i can keep consuming the green swizzles..its like my new fuel.

    Or i might start up chartreuse swizzles with demerara rums.

    I`m so happy you did abandon your abominable canned pineapple juices that used to litter your otherwise decent fridge;-)

    And oh..that picture is lovely!

    T

  11. Cocktail GeekNo Gravatar says:

    You left out the Falernum in your recipe. 1/2 oz. Otherwise your recipe is spot on. Glad you enjoy the drink.

    Cheers!

    Marco Dionysos
    Cocktail Geek

  12. RickNo Gravatar says:

    Marco, Nice catch! I added the falernum back in.

  13. JokeIIINo Gravatar says:

    In an emergency, the refrigerated cartons of pineapple juice are OK. Still not as complex and lively as fresh, but decent. Whenever I see anyone pouring pineapple juice out of those 6 oz. cans, I CRINGE.

  14. NathanNo Gravatar says:

    I scored a free pineapple at the grocery store today. It is a sign.

  15. ChrisNo Gravatar says:

    Is that picture from the pitcher of Green Swizzles we made at Tales two years ago? ; )

    What a magical idea THAT was…

    I put the yellow chartrese version on the new Fall menu. Great success – though I wonder at my sanity after making ten (more or less in a row) while 2-3 deep last Saturday.

  16. TiareNo Gravatar says:

    Chris, that pic is from this year..we made the swizzles all the time. We missed you there! So how does the yellow version stand against the green?

  17. BonzoGalNo Gravatar says:

    One. From a vase. Okay, only part of one because I couldn’t stop laughing.

  18. BoozeFoxNo Gravatar says:

    “It was like we just cast Nailed-to-the-Sky on our potion – pure genius.”

    I lol’d. Great post, KP.

  19. […] uses Angostura bitters and also doesn`t contain any rum, that`s something that has been added by various people to pimp it up and with good results me […]

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Kaiser Penguin is a cocktail blog featuring original recipes, homemade ingredients, classic cocktails, and tiki drinks.

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It is a well-known fact that penguins are members of high society and enjoy fine cocktails. Our very own kaiser penguin would like me to mention that he also enjoys various treats from the sea.

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