The Bijou Cocktail is a crisp, subtly sweet, botanical beverage—a vintage gin masterpiece making a comeback.
You’re not alone if you have never heard of the Bijou cocktail, however, the beautifully-colored beverage holds a place in mixology history. For one, it appears in the 1900 Bartender’s Manual by Harry Johnson (its supposed creator) and was one of the first true cocktails to feature vermouth. Originally made of equal parts gin, vermouth, and Chartreuse, the cocktail was named bijou, from the French word for “jewel”.
The Bijou cocktail disappeared with the introduction of the 18th Amendment, aka Prohibition, but was revived in the 1980s at one of Manhattan’s most famous bars, The Rainbow Room. Now, if you have ever had the pleasure of drinking at the sky-high bar on top of Rockefeller Plaza, you know it is pure magic. I can attest this, since I celebrated my 21st birthday there. Anyway, it is no surprise that the Bijou has been brought back to life.
The Bijou cocktail is comparable to the Negroni, but it is made with Chartreuse instead of Campari. Chartreuse is a truly historic liqueur and dates back to at least 1605. When you mix Green Chartreuse with gin to make a Bijou cocktail, it creates a complex but light and herbaceous flavor with notes of citrus. The drink is sweetened with vermouth and served in a cold glass. The Bijou is great because of its flavors, vibrant colors, and history and is undoubtedly a conversation starter.
A Note About Vermouth
Our Bijou cocktail was one of the first cocktails made with vermouth, joining the famous Manhattan and Martini in the late 19th century. Vermouth was first created for medicinal purposes from fermented wine and other earthy ingredients, such as herbs, roots and bark. Sweet vermouth, which we use in our Bijou, is a deep amber color with fruity and caramel flavors. On the other hand, dry vermouth is light golden, herbaceous, and has a higher alcohol content than sweet vermouth.
What Is The Best Gin To Use In A Bijou Cocktail?
Use a lighter, drier gin, such as Hendrick’s, for the Bijou cocktail. Hendrick’s sets itself apart from other gins because it doesn’t have that distinct piney taste from juniper. Juniper is the main ingredient in all gin, but Hendrick’s also uses fruit and florals to tone it down a bit. Hendrick’s gin is top shelf but only runs about $30-$40. It blends really nicely with the hints of citrus in the sweet vermouth.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce Green Chartreuse
- 1 dash orange bitters
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine the gin, sweet vermouth, Green Chartreuse, and orange bitters.
- Stir the mixture until well chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Nutrition
What Glassware And Garnish Are Used?
Serve your Bijou in a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a fresh twist of lemon.
I Can’t Find Green Chartreuse. What Can I Use Instead?
Green Chartreuse can be replaced with either a Faccia Brutto Centerbe or a Dolin Génépy le Chamois in the Bijou Cocktail.
Similar Drinks To The Bijou Cocktail
The Bijou cocktail may have a significant place in bartending history, but its elusiveness makes it unique. It bridges the gap between new and old; it is eye-catching and super sophisticated. If you like the Bijou and are wondering what other herbal and complex-tasting tipples you can make with Chartreuse, here are some other drinks that may attract your attention.
- Swamp Water – This sweet cocktail has been around since the 1970s and can be served in a mason jar or punch bowl.
- Last Word – Supposedly invented at Detroit Athletic Club, this drink mixes Green Chartreuse with gin, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
- Naked and Famous – Hailing from NYC, Yellow Chartreuse takes pride of place in this orange-hued sipper.
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