Green Eyes

Allow me to present this delicious treat made with gin, green Chartreuse, simple syrup and egg white, created by Andrew Volk of Maine's Portland Hunt and Alpine Club.  Egg whites can add exceptional depth and texture to cocktails, as I have explained previously (including in the inaugural post).  Chartreuse is an herbal liqueur from France with a long and colorful history.  As the story goes, the order of Chartreuse monks was already over 500 years old when an ancient manuscript was given to them in 1605, containing the secret recipe of 130 herbs and plants needed to create the “Elixir of Long Life”.  It wasn’t until 1737 that the manuscript was completely understood and the elixir was finally created.  A milder version, the green Chartreuse of today, was developed in 1764.  

The "Green Eyes" Cocktail by Andrew Volk

There’s more to the story, of course, but rumor has it that even today, the ancient recipe is known to only two old monks who initiate the complicated process in secret, each aware of only half the recipe, who have both taken a vow of silence.  Shhhhh.  They may even be the very same monks since 1605 ….  Here’s a toast to long life, secret recipes, ancient monks, modern marvels, writer’s block and puzzling pursuits.  Cheers.

This writer's block has the cure right on top.  And the inspirational solution hidden inside!

Green Eyes by Andrew Volk:

1 1/2 oz gin

3/4 oz fresh lime juice

3/4 oz green Chartreuse

1/2 oz simple syrup

1/2 oz egg white

Dry shake (no ice) then shake with ice, strain and garnish with a lime wheel.