The Complex Story Behind A Shortage Of This Coveted Drink

Even if you’ve enjoyed the unique taste and aroma of Chartreuse, you might not know how much detail goes into producing the green liqueur. Aside from its relatively high alcohol content, this adult beverage contains well over 100 botanical ingredients and is created with a secret recipe known only by the monks who produce it high in the French Alps.

Almost impossible to find

Despite the labor-intensive process of creating Chartreuse, it’s generally been a pretty easy item to find at the local liquor store. Over the course of recent years, however, that has changed dramatically.

Joshua Lutz has been a big fan of the spirit, which has found its way into a growing number of drinks popularized in bars across the U.S. and around the world.

“It used to be something you could rely on being available, so I never really paid much attention to it,” the healthcare tech professional explained. “Recent times have forced me into hoarding a little bit.”

If you’re struggling to track down a bottle of Chartreuse, you might be tempted to blame hoarders like him. But the true cause of the shortage appears to be much deeper.

The monks take a stand

Since only the Carthusian monks are capable of creating the authentic mixture sold as Chartreuse, they quite literally control the supply chain. As such, it might be frustrating for fans to learn that the monks have resisted calls to ramp up production even as demand skyrockets.

It’s created a crisis among those whose job it is to make the drinks that have become so popular in recent years.

Seattle’s Zig Zag Cafe helped revive interest in the liqueur about two decades ago and its owner said he feels “a little bit guilty” about his role in the situation.

Chris Agee April 17th, 2023

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