classic advanced

Champs-Élysées

A sophisticated French cocktail featuring cognac, green Chartreuse, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Complex, herbal, and refined.

Ingredients

  • Cognac 2 oz
  • Green Chartreuse 0.5 oz
  • Fresh lemon juice 0.75 oz
  • Simple syrup 0.5 oz
  • Angostura bitters 2 dashes

Instructions

  1. 1 Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice
  2. 2 Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
  3. 3 Double strain into a chilled coupe glass
  4. 4 Garnish with a lemon twist
Glassware:

Coupe glass

Technique:

shake

Servings:

1

Garnish:

Lemon twist

The Champs-Élysées is a sophisticated cocktail that showcases the complex herbal notes of green Chartreuse. It’s named after the famous Parisian avenue and represents the pinnacle of French cocktail culture.

The Chartreuse Factor

Green Chartreuse is one of the most complex liqueurs in the world, made with 130 different herbs and botanicals. It adds incredible depth and complexity to this cocktail, creating a truly unique drinking experience.

Perfect Balance

This cocktail requires precise measurements to achieve the perfect balance between the rich cognac, herbal Chartreuse, tart lemon, and sweet syrup. The Angostura bitters add a final layer of complexity that ties everything together.

Tips for Success

  • Use a high-quality VSOP or XO cognac for the best results
  • Green Chartreuse is essential - yellow Chartreuse won’t work the same way
  • Fresh lemon juice is crucial for the proper acidity
  • The bitters are important for the final flavor profile

Variations

  • Smoky Champs: Use a smoky cognac or add a few drops of mezcal
  • Herbal Champs: Add a few drops of herbal bitters like lavender or chamomile

Tags

#cognac #chartreuse #herbal #french #complex

Source: Classic cocktail