Bijou
- Glass
- Coupe
- Difficulty
- Easy
- ABV
- ~27%
Ingredients
- 1 ozgin30 ml
- 1 ozgreen chartreuse30 ml
- 1 ozsweet vermouth30 ml
- 1 dashorange bitters1 dash
Instructions
Combine gin, green chartreuse, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 25–30 rotations until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a cherry or a lemon twist. The Bijou is an equal-parts cocktail named for its jewel-like appearance — the gin represents diamond, chartreuse is emerald, and vermouth is ruby.
Sips & Tips
Technique
Stir this drink thoroughly — the chartreuse is high-proof and intensely herbal, so proper dilution is essential to integrate the flavors. About 30 seconds of stirring brings everything into harmony. The orange bitters add a subtle citrus bridge between the botanicals.
Balance
The equal-parts format means every ingredient must be high quality. Use a bold London Dry gin, genuine green chartreuse (there's no substitute), and a rich sweet vermouth like Carpano Antica. The chartreuse dominates if you use a mild gin, so choose something with backbone.
History
The Bijou first appeared in Harry Johnson's 1900 Bartenders' Manual. The name means 'jewel' in French, and the cocktail was named for the colors of its three main ingredients representing precious gems. It fell out of fashion during Prohibition but has been revived by the craft cocktail movement.
The Bijou is a cocktail for chartreuse lovers — herbal, complex, and unapologetically bold. If you've never tried green chartreuse in a stirred drink, this is the place to start. Cheers.
Variations
Modern Bijou
Many modern recipes adjust the ratio to 1½ oz gin, ¾ oz chartreuse, ¾ oz vermouth. This makes the gin more prominent and tames the chartreuse's intensity — a good option if you find the equal-parts version too herbal.
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Bijou
Glass: Coupe | Difficulty: Easy | ABV: ~27%
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz green chartreuse
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 dash orange bitters
Instructions
Combine gin, green chartreuse, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 25–30 rotations until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a cherry or a lemon twist. The Bijou is an equal-parts cocktail named for its jewel-like appearance — the gin represents diamond, chartreuse is emerald, and vermouth is ruby.