Bijou


A complex, jewel-toned trio of gin, sweet vermouth, and Green Chartreuse.


Base spirit
Gin
Style
Spirit-forward
Glassware
Coupe
Technique
Stir

The Bijou (French for 'Jewel') is a rich, herbal cocktail named for the colors of its components: gin for diamond, sweet vermouth for ruby, and Green Chartreuse for emerald. It drinks like a heavy, herbal Negroni, with a thick mouthfeel and intense aromatic profile. It is a slow-sipping classic that showcases the power of Chartreuse when used in equal (or near-equal) measure. It dates back to the 1890s but found new life in the modern craft revival.


A Bijou in a coupe with a lemon twist and cherry.

Ingredients

Servings

Did you know?

The drink's name specifically references the jewels represented by the ingredients: diamond (gin), ruby (vermouth), and emerald (Chartreuse).

Source:Harry Johnson's Bartenders' Manual (1900)

Bartender's Note

The traditional 1:1:1 ratio can be overwhelming; modern palates often prefer a 1.5:1:1 or 2:1:1 ratio to let the gin shine.

Missing a bottle? See smart swaps in Learn.

How to make the Bijou

  1. 1Add gin, sweet vermouth, Green Chartreuse, and dash orange bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice
  2. 2Stir until well chilled
  3. 3Strain into a Coupe
  4. 4Garnish with lemon twist and serve

Drinks similar to Bijou