Bijou Cocktail

Pro tips

• Chill your glass before serving; a cold coupe preserves the delicate herbal aromatics.
• Stir for a full 30 seconds to properly chill and dilute the spirits—this mellows the high alcohol content.
• Use fresh orange bitters; old bitters lose potency and won't integrate well with the chartreuse.
• Measure by volume, not by eye; the 1:1:1 ratio is essential to prevent any single flavor from dominating.

Substitutions

• Green Chartreuse → Yellow Chartreuse (sweeter, less minty; shifts balance)
• Sweet Vermouth → Dry Vermouth (drier finish; use only if you prefer less sweetness)
• Orange Bitters → Aromatic Bitters (different spice profile; less citrus integration)

Equipment

cocktail shaker or mixing glass · bar spoon or long spoon · jigger (for measuring) · coupe or cocktail glass · Hawthorne strainer (if using cocktail shaker)

What does a Bijou cocktail taste like?

It has a smooth, herbal profile with botanical gin notes, mint and anise from green chartreuse, and subtle sweetness from vermouth, balanced by orange bitters.

Can I make a Bijou without green chartreuse?

Green chartreuse is essential to the drink's character. Yellow chartreuse is the only reasonable substitute, though it will be sweeter and less minty.

Should a Bijou be stirred or shaken?

Stir the Bijou with ice for 30 seconds, then strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Stirring preserves the clarity and silky texture of a spirit-forward drink.

What glassware is best for serving?

Serve in a coupe, cocktail, or Nick and Nora glass. The small volume and elegant shape suit the drink's balanced, herbal profile.

How do I measure equal parts accurately?

Use a jigger and measure 3/4 oz (22 ml) of each spirit. Equal ratios are critical to the Bijou's balance.