The Bijou cocktail is a bold and boozy jewel that we covet all year long but especially during the holidays. The opposite of a lightweight, this sparkly amber cocktail adds a festive flair to any drinking session.
We never heard of the Bijou until we researched cocktail recipes with green Chartreuse.
After we crafted our first Bijou at home, we wondered why the potent potable isn’t more more popular. By the time we crafted our second, we were too giddy to care.
What Is the Bijou Cocktail?
Merriam-Webster defines the word bijou as “something delicate, elegant, or highly prized” and we can’t think of a better way to describe the Bijou cocktail. In French, the word literally translates to jewel.
Big and boozy with no less than four liquors in its recipe, the Bijou packs a punch despite its sparkly appearance. Some people liken each liquor to a different gem but the finished product – a balanced, amber drink that’s reminiscent of a Manhattan with a bonus hint of herbaceousness – is a genuine jewel.
History of the Bijou Cocktail
Invented by Harry Johnson more than a century ago and documented in his New and Improved Bartender’s Manual, the Bijou cocktail is a classic cocktail that failed the test of time… until it didn’t.
The pre-prohibition tippler disappeared from most cocktail bars for decades before reappearing, albeit with a modified recipe. Modern recipes use more gin and less green Chartreuse and sweet vermouth. We’ve decided to stick to the original lower gin ratio in our recipe.
We’re purists who prefer Johnson’s original recipe and bold flavors. If you’re crafting this at home, we say try it both ways. Unlike us, you may prefer more gin in your Bijou.
Discover more of our favorite Pre-Prohibition cocktails.
Bijou Cocktail Ingredients
The Bijou shines brightly in the cocktail collective thanks to ingredients that sparkle like jewels. We’re talking about emerald-green Chartreuse, diamond-like gin and ruby-red sweet vermouth. Here’s the full list of Bijou ingredients:
No lightweight, the Bijou recipe has four liquors – green Chartreuse, dry gin, sweet vermouth and orange bitters. While gin and vermouth are fairly common, green Chartreuse and orange bitters are a bit more exclusive.
Discover our favorite gin cocktails and our favorite sweet vermouth cocktails.
Green Chartreuse
Green Chartreuse isn’t a fixture in most liquor cabinets but maybe it should be. With its green hue and herbaceous flavors, the liqueur is a challenge due to its availability and price. Thanks to its unique flavors, it’s also a savior for motivated mixologists looking to craft their next great drink.
Produced in the town of Voiron, France, the verdant liqueur is a potent potable with a 55% ABV. Carthusian monks created the first batch batch in 1737 and the recipe, featuring a blend of 130 herbs and plants, remains a secret to this day.
Orange Bitters
We bought a bottle of Angostura orange bitters specifically to craft this cocktail recipe and we’re glad we did. With an aromatic blend of orange extracts and spices, these bitters smell delightful while adding a pleasant kick thanks to the 28% ABV.
How To Craft a Bijou Cocktail
Crafting a Bijou cocktail is easy to do at home. Our recipe requires the following basic bar tools:
Don’t worry if you don’t have any or all of these tools. Each is inexpensive. Plus, you can improvise in a pinch if you don’t already own them.
Discover 10 essential bar tools for home mixologists.
The first step is to measure the green Chartreuse, dry gin and sweet vermouth. We like to use a Japanese jigger to ensure accurate measurements and make clean pours.
Buy a Japanese jigger if you don’t have a jigger or want an inexpensive upgrade.
We recommend pouring the liquids directly into a mixing glass as you measure each. We used our Boston shaker in lieu of a mixing glass but you can use a vessel of your choice.
The next step is to add a dash of orange bitters. We like to us Angostura orange bitters but any brand will suffice.
Add a good amount of ice and stir the four liquors with a bar spoon until they’re combined and chilled. This step should take about 20 seconds.
Strain into a small martini glass.
The last step is to garnish the cocktail with lemon peel and a maraschino cherry. But first, express your glass by rubbing the lemon peel around its rim.
Buy a jar of Luxardo maraschino cherries after you discover why we love Luxardo maraschino cherries and consider them to be worth every penny.
Bijou Cocktail Alternatives
The original Bijou cocktail recipe hits our cocktail sweet spot with its bold flavors and rich color. However, you may want to craft a different gem. If so, the following ideas will get you started:
Bijou Cocktail FAQs
The Bijou is a a balanced, amber drink that’s reminiscent of a Manhattan with a bonus hint of herbaceousness.
Green Chartreuse, Dry Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Orange Bitters, Ice Cubes (for mixing), Maraschino Cherry (garnish) and Lemon Peel (garnish)
Despite its French name, the Bijou was invented in the United States.
The Bijou is stirred, not shaken.
We like to serve this cocktail in a coupe glass but you could use a small martini glass instead.
Bijou Cocktail Recipe
Bijou Cocktail
The Bijou is a gem made with four different liquors. Learn how to craft the classic cocktail at home in just five minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce dry gin
- 1 ounce green Chartreuse
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 maraschino cherry, garnish
- lemon peel, garnish
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine the gin, green Chartreuse, sweet vermouth and orange bitters in a mixing glass.
- Add several ice cubes and stir until the liquids are mixed and chilled.
- Strain into a coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with lemon peel and a maraschino cherry after you express the rim of the glass with the lemon peel.
Recommended Products
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Japanese Jigger - Premium Double Cocktail Jigger, 1oz/2oz made from Stainless Steel 304 -
OXO SteeL Cocktail Strainer -
Hiware Professional 24 Oz Cocktail Mixing Glass, Thick Bottom Seamless Crystal Mixing Glass -
Hiware LZS13B 12 Inches Stainless Steel Mixing Spoon, Spiral Pattern Bar Cocktail Shaker Spoon
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About the Authors
Daryl & Mindi Hirsch
Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website and YouTube. The married Food and Travel content creators live in Lisbon, Portugal.
Original Publication Date: December 21, 2021
Pamela
Friday 5th of May 2023
I only see three liquors listed
Daryl and Mindi Hirsch
Friday 5th of May 2023
The three liquors are green Chartreuse, dry gin, sweet vermouth and orange bitters. We count the bitters as a liquor here since it has a 28% ABV.