ENDANGERED COCKTAIL OF THE MONTH: THE CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES

COGNAC MAKES A RICH and elegant base for many fine forgotten cocktails. One that popped up on bar menus not too long after the cocktail renaissance caught on is the Champs-Élysées, a drink as elegant as the wide boulevard that is its namesake.  The Champs-Élysées first appeared in print in the 193O edition of Harry Craddock’s cocktail tome, The Savoy Cocktail Book. It features not one but two French tipples, cognac and the mysterious herbal liqueur, green Chartreuse.  Made in the Alps by a silent order of Carthusian monks, green Chartreuse is based on a recipe for “an elixir for long life” that was already ancient when the monks began to tinker with it in 16O4. The recipe remains a closely guarded secret with three monks – the gatekeepers for one portion of the recipe each. At 11O proof this tonic is certain to stimulate.  Harry Craddock portions his recipe for the Champs-Élysées for 6 people, suggesting that the best way to drink this one is as a party starter or with a group of fun, festive friends. He also doesn’t specify whether the drink takes green Chartreuse or its sweeter sibling, yellow Chartreuse. We leave that decision to you, as we like it with both. Here’s a recipe to try if you’d like to downsize and sip on its own.