Green Ghost Cocktail Recipe

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Green Ghost Nutrition Facts

Calories:180

Fat:0g

Protein:0g

Carbohydrates:5g

Alcohol%:26%

Created by

Nic Polotnianko

I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.

Last Updated: January 7, 2024

History

The Green Ghost cocktail is a classic gin-based drink that dates back to the 1930s. It was first published in the Café Royal Cocktail Book by W. J. Tarling, a bartender at the famous Café Royal in London. The cocktail is known for its vibrant green color and refreshing taste, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy gin-based cocktails.

  • The Green Ghost was created during the golden age of cocktails, a time when bartenders were experimenting with new and exciting ingredients.
  • The cocktail is named after its ghostly green hue, which comes from the combination of gin and green Chartreuse.
  • Fans of classic gin cocktails, such as the Martini and the Gimlet, will likely enjoy the Green Ghost for its herbal and citrus notes.

How Green Ghost Tastes?

The Green Ghost cocktail is a complex and refreshing drink with a mix of herbal, citrus, and slightly sweet flavors. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the green Chartreuse adds a unique herbal and slightly sweet quality. The lime juice brings a fresh, tart citrus note that balances out the sweetness and adds a zesty finish.

Interesting facts about Green Ghost

  • Green Chartreuse, a key ingredient in the Green Ghost, is a French liqueur made by Carthusian monks since the 18th century. It is made from a secret recipe that includes 130 different herbs, plants, and flowers.
  • The Green Ghost is sometimes referred to as a 'cousin' of the Last Word cocktail, another gin-based drink that also features green Chartreuse and lime juice.
  • The vibrant green color of the cocktail is entirely natural, coming from the green Chartreuse and the lime juice.

Ingredients

A few good options for Green Ghost are:

  • Brockmans
  • Silent Pool Gin
  • Hendrick's Gin

Learn everything on which Gin to choose

Gin

The gin is the backbone of the Green Ghost, providing a complex base with its array of botanicals. The traditional amount of 2 oz ensures a strong yet balanced spirit presence; too much and you risk a boozy overkill, too little and the drink becomes a herbal whisper. Without it, the ghost loses its body - and who's ever heard of a ghostless cocktail?

Emma Rose

Green Chartreuse

Half an ounce of green Chartreuse brings a mysterious touch of herbal complexity. It's potent stuff, so the modest volume keeps the flavors intriguing without turning the drink into a botanical brawl. Forget the Chartreuse, and you're essentially sipping on a gimlet with stage fright.

Alex Green

Lime Juice

A zip of 0.5 oz lime juice adds that necessary citrus twist, the zing that keeps things fresh and lively. Too much lime and you're puckering up like you've kissed a lemon, too little and the cocktail might come off flat. No lime juice? Now, that's a cocktail lacking in spirit!

Mary Mitkina

Recipe. How to make Green Ghost Drink

  1. Chill a cocktail glass by filling it with ice and setting it aside.
  2. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker: 2 oz gin, 0.5 oz green Chartreuse, and 0.5 oz lime juice.
  3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds, or until well-chilled.
  4. Discard the ice from the chilled cocktail glass.
  5. Strain the cocktail into the glass.
  6. Garnish with a lime twist or a sprig of fresh mint, if desired.

Pro Tips

  • Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. Bottled lime juice can have a bitter taste.
  • Shake the cocktail vigorously to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed and the drink is chilled.
  • Garnish with a lime twist or a sprig of fresh mint for an extra touch of freshness and visual appeal.

Perfect Pairings

Appetizers

  • Sushi: The herbal notes of the Green Chartreuse can complement the delicate flavors of sushi, particularly with avocado or cucumber rolls.
  • Goat Cheese Crostini: The tangy and bold flavor of goat cheese is balanced by the botanicals in the gin.

Main Courses

  • Grilled Chicken: The smokiness of the chicken pairs nicely with the cocktail's citrus notes.
  • Pasta with Pesto: The herby, fresh flavor of pesto aligns with the Green Chartreuse, while the acidity of the lime juice cuts through the richness of the pasta.

Desserts

  • Key Lime Pie: The citrus harmony enhances the dessert experience since the cocktail's lime juice complements the pie's tanginess.
  • Fruit Sorbet: A refreshing choice that mirrors the zesty and fresh lime juice in the cocktail.

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What you could change in Green Ghost

  • If you don't have Green Chartreuse, you can substitute it with Yellow Chartreuse. It has a slightly sweeter and milder flavor.
  • Vodka can be used instead of Gin for a less juniper-forward flavor.
  • If you don't have fresh limes, lemon juice can be used as a substitute, but it will alter the flavor slightly.

Explore all drinks starting with G here

And of course - twists🍹

Cucumber Ghost

  • Add 2 slices of cucumber to the shaker before adding the other ingredients.
  • Muddle the cucumber to extract its essence.
  • Follow the original recipe. The cucumber adds a refreshing coolness that complements the Green Chartreuse and tames the gin's botanicals. It's like giving your ghost a new summer outfit.

Smoky Ghost

  • Replace gin with mezcal to obtain a 1:1 ratio.
  • Follow the original recipe. The smoky notes of mezcal make this twist hauntingly good, merging the spirit world with a hint of a Mexican campfire. For those who like their ghosts with a side of smoke.

Rosemary Ghost

  • Muddle a sprig of rosemary in the shaker.
  • Follow the original recipe. The addition of rosemary introduces a fragrant, woodsy element that will make you feel like you're sipping spirits in an enchanted forest.

In case you forgot basics how to make Green Ghost

Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.

Learn everything on how to shake

Place your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.

Learn everything on how to strain

Garnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).

Learn everything on garnishing

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Frequently Asked Questions on Green Ghost

What type of gin works best in the Green Ghost cocktail?

A London Dry Gin would work best in a Green Ghost cocktail as it complements the herbal notes of the green Chartreuse.

What is the alcohol by volume (ABV) of a typical Green Ghost cocktail?

The alcohol content of a Green Ghost cocktail typically depends on the ABV of the gin and green Chartreuse used. However, considering the measurements in the recipe, the cocktail will roughly have somewhere around 25-30% ABV.

Can the Green Ghost cocktail be made ahead of time?

While it's possible to pre-mix the ingredients without the ice, it's recommended to shake it with ice and serve immediately for the best taste and temperature.

Does the Green Ghost cocktail pair well with any particular foods?

The herbal, citrus flavors of the Green Ghost usually pair well with seafood, particularly oysters and clams, or tangy cheeses.

Are there variations of the Green Ghost cocktail?

Yes, some variations include adding a dash of simple syrup to sweeten it or swapping the lime juice for lemon for a different citrus note.

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