Fives Bar Elixir of Life Cocktail Recipe

Bradley Sanford was living in California during the pandemic when he realized he needed a change. “I wanted to go to a place with some soul and some flavor,” he said. New Orleans fit the bill. He is now behind the stick in the heart of the city in Jackson Square, as lead bartender at Fives, a location he succinctly describes as “Amazing!” Something else amazing is working in a city that takes his profession seriously. He notes that in California, “bartenders are all actors, or comedians, or musicians — bartending’s a ‘side job ‘till I make it’ kind of thing.” In contrast, in New Orleans, “Bartending’s a well-respected and storied career.” The inspiration for his drink comes straight from the monks who created the Chartreuse Vegetal featured in the recipe. “They originally formulated Chartreuse as a long-life elixir, a cure for every ailment.” Whatever ails you these days, this drink is sure to help.

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Elixir of Life

Recipe by Bradley Sanford, lead bartender at Fives

5.0 from 1 vote

The inspiration for his drink comes straight from the monks who created the Chartreuse Vegetal featured in the recipe. “They originally formulated Chartreuse as a long-life elixir, a cure for every ailment.” Whatever ails you these days, this drink is sure to help.

Course: Cocktails

Servings

1

servings

Ingredients

• 2 oz Bombay Sapphire gin

• 1 oz Lillet Blanc

• 1/8 oz Bar Spoon Chartreuse Vegetal (about 9 drops)

• Lemon twist

Directions

• Add the first 3 ingredients to a mixing glass with ice, stir for 15 seconds.
• Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
• Express the oils from the lemon twist over the drink and then trim the edges to make a parallelogram.
• Cut a lengthwise slit in the middle of the trimmed lemon twist to allow it to perch on the side of the glass.

Notes

• Chartreuse Elixir Vegetal is an herbal liqueur with an intense flavor and is easier to find than its less potent sister product, Green Chartreuse. A few drops add a bold, herbal note to a glass of champagne or classic daiquiri. Bradley also says it is delicious when sprinkled on fresh raw oysters.
• If you can’t find Chartreuse Vegetal, you can substitute the Yellow Chartreuse, which is a little easier to find or another herbal liqueur.
• You can also use some absinthe to create a variation on an Obituary Cocktail.

Listen to Elizabeth’s podcast “Drink & Learn;” visit elizabeth-pearce.com