Chartreuse is a French liqueur made by the Carthusian Monks since 1737 according to the instructions set out in a manuscript given to them by François Annibal d'Estrées in 1605. It is made from brandy and aromatic herbs. The liqueur is named after the monks' Grande Chartreuse monastery, located in the Chartreuse Mountains in the general region of Grenoble in France. The liqueur is produced in their distillery in the nearby town of Voiron Green Chartreuse is a naturally green liqueur made from 130 herbs and other plants macerated in alcohol and steeped for about 8 hours. A last maceration of plants gives its color to the liqueur. Enjoy neat or in a cocktail, but be warned: this liqueur packs some heat at 110 proof! Geek Notes: Charteuse is part of the Génépi family, which is made up of traditional herbal liqueurs or aperitifs popularized in the Alpine regions of Europe. These were originally made at home--an American equivalent might be a moonshine-based liqueur known colloquially as "Apple Pie"--by steeping alpine herbs in strong, clear liquors. Absinthe is part of this family, though it is not a liqueur like Chartreuse. What makes it a liqueur? The addition of sugar in the steeping process.