BijouCocktail recipe
Rating
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
The Bijou cocktail is an herbal symphony, where the botanicals in gin, the rich complexity of Green Chartreuse, and the sweet notes of red vermouth dance harmoniously. Intended for the refined palate, this cocktail offers a glimpse into the opulent cocktail culture of the late 19th century.
Method
How to make a Bijou
-
- Stir all the ingredients with ice before straining into a chilled martini glass and serving
Power tips
Elevate the Bijou with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Use a high-quality gin with a pronounced herbal or floral profile. The botanicals in the gin should harmonize with the herbal elements of the Chartreuse for a more balanced flavor.
- Stir the cocktail for a full 30 seconds to ensure proper dilution and chilling. This helps to integrate the aromatics and keeps the cocktail from being too sharp.
- Subscribe to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail
· Stir ·Your private tasting notes
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the history behind the Bijou cocktail?
The Bijou cocktail dates back to the late 19th century, having been first introduced in the 1890s by Harry Johnson, a pioneering bartender and author of the New and Improved Bartender's Manual. 'Bijou,' meaning 'jewel' in French, represents the drink's three primary ingredients: gin for diamond, vermouth for ruby, and Chartreuse for emerald, symbolizing the cocktail's jewel-like colors and premium taste.
Why is the Bijou cocktail stirred and not shaken?
The Bijou cocktail is stirred and not shaken to ensure a smooth, well-blended mixture without diluting the drink too much or introducing air bubbles, which could make the cocktail cloudy. Stirring helps to maintain the integrity of the spirits and the delicate balance of flavors present in the Bijou.
What garnishes work well with a Bijou cocktail?
A classic garnish for a Bijou cocktail is a cherry or a lemon twist. The cherry adds a subtle sweetness and color contrast, while the lemon twist contributes a bright aroma and a slight zesty flavor, both complementing the herbal notes of the Green Chartreuse and the sweetness of the vermouth.
Can I substitute anything for Green Chartreuse in a Bijou cocktail?
While Green Chartreuse has a unique flavor profile that is hard to replicate, you can experiment with other herbal liqueurs if necessary. Yellow Chartreuse can be a milder alternative, although it will change the flavor profile slightly. For a non-alcoholic version, you might explore herbal or botanical syrups that mimic the complex flavors of Chartreuse, though the cocktail will notably differ from the original.
How does the alcohol content in a Bijou cocktail compare to other classic cocktails?
With an alcohol content of 37%, the Bijou cocktail is on the stronger side compared to many classic cocktails. For instance, a classic Martini has an alcohol content around 32% while a Manhattan cocktail usually sits around 30%. This makes the Bijou a relatively stronger choice, given its high concentration of spirits and minimal dilution.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub
The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.
Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.
Let's goYou might also like
Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées cocktail is a sophisticated and classic French-inspired drink that embodies the elegance of its namesake avenue in Paris....
Tailspin
The Tailspin is a classic cocktail that offers a harmonious blend of herbal complexity and a hint of sweetness. Featuring...
Pago Pago
The Pago Pago cocktail is a tropical and aromatic blend that features a harmonious mix of tart lime juice, sweet...
Closing Argument
The Closing Argument is a sophisticated cocktail that marries the distinctive flavors of lime juice, mezcal, green Chartreuse, and maraschino...
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Comments
really enjoyed it! the mix of flavors is unique. strong but smooth. will definitely make it again. great balance.
You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register