Green Ghost

The Green Ghost is an elegant and spirit-forward cocktail with a pale, ethereal green hue. It perfectly balances the botanical notes of London Dry gin with the complex herbal character of Green Chartreuse. A touch of fresh lime juice adds a bright, citrusy acidity that cuts through the powerful spirits, making the drink exceptionally refreshing and clean on the palate. It's a sophisticated choice for those who appreciate herbaceous, gin-forward drinks.
Green Ghost

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Green Ghost is a classic sour-style cocktail, typically enjoyed as an aperitif before a meal. Its simple yet elegant composition places it firmly within the category of historic gin cocktails from the early 20th century. It is considered a spirit-forward drink due to its high alcohol content and focus on the base spirits.

Serving

This is a spirit-forward cocktail served "up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Its alcohol content is relatively high, providing a robust and flavorful experience.
Serving size
Approximately 90-105 ml / 3-3.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 30-35% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Green Ghost cocktail first appeared in the "Café Royal Cocktail Book," compiled by William J. Tarling in 1937. It is often attributed to the legendary Harry Craddock, who was head bartender at the Savoy Hotel's American Bar during that era. The name likely derives from its ghostly, pale green color and its potent character that can sneak up on the imbiber.
Origin
United Kingdom, circa 1930s.

Green Ghost

The drink is consistently known as the Green Ghost and does not have any common alternative names or nicknames in the cocktail world.
Original name
Green Ghost

Characteristics overview

The Green Ghost boasts a complex herbal and botanical flavor profile with a bright citrus lift and a smooth, silky texture. Its aroma is aromatic and piney, leading to a clean, dry finish that makes it refreshing any time of year.
Flavor
Herbal, Juniper, Citrus, Pine, Anise, Botanical
Aroma
Aromatic, Herbaceous, Piney, Lime zest
Taste balance
Spirit-forward, Tart, Slightly sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Lingering herbal notes, Dry
Fizziness
Still, None
Color appearance
Pale green, Translucent, Ethereal
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, Year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is dominated by strong alcohol and tartness from the lime, with an underlying herbal bitterness and a touch of sweetness from the Chartreuse. The cocktail is completely still and spirit-forward.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need three key liquid ingredients for a Green Ghost: a quality London Dry Gin, the unique herbal liqueur Green Chartreuse, and freshly squeezed lime juice for acidity.
  • London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A classic, juniper-forward London Dry style works best to stand up to the Chartreuse.
  • Green Chartreuse15 ml / 0.5 oz
    There is no substitute for its unique blend of 130 herbs and botanicals.
  • Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for brightness and proper balance.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

To prepare this cocktail, you'll need a standard set of bar tools including a cocktail shaker for chilling and dilution, a jigger for measuring, and a fine-mesh strainer for a smooth texture. A citrus juicer is essential for fresh lime juice.
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Citrus juicer

Instructions

The Green Ghost is a straightforward "shake and strain" cocktail. Simply combine the three ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, shake until well-chilled, and double-strain into a chilled coupe glass before garnishing.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass, either by filling it with ice and water or by placing it in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.
2. Add the gin, Green Chartreuse, and fresh lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker two-thirds full with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty cold.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double-strain the cocktail through a standard cocktail strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled glass.
7. Take a lime peel, express its oils over the surface of the drink by squeezing it, then drop it into the glass as a garnish.
8. Serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple lime twist is the classic garnish, adding aromatic citrus oils that complement the drink's flavors when expressed over the surface. Alternatively, a thin lime wheel can be used.
  • Lime twist

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten (assuming purely distilled spirits are used). It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-sugar and low-carbohydrate cocktail, with most of its calories coming from the alcohol content. It contains averagely 190 kcal per serving.
Calories
Approximately 180-200 kcal / 753-837 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 5-7 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 4-6 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Green Ghost is perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the appetite. Its sophisticated profile makes it an excellent choice for cocktail parties and elegant social gatherings. The name also makes it a fun, thematically appropriate choice for Halloween celebrations.
  • Aperitif
  • Cocktail Party
  • Elegant Evening
  • Halloween Party

Pairing suggestions

The crisp, herbal, and citrus-forward profile of the Green Ghost pairs excellently with briny and acidic foods. It is a wonderful match for raw seafood like oysters or a bright ceviche. It also complements the tanginess of goat cheese and cuts through the richness of smoked salmon.
  • Oysters on the half shell
  • Ceviche
  • Goat cheese and crackers
  • Smoked salmon blinis

The Green Ghost: An Ethereal and Herbaceous Classic Cocktail

The Green Ghost is a sophisticated and potent classic cocktail from the 1930s. It beautifully marries the botanical complexity of London Dry Gin with the unique herbal punch of Green Chartreuse, all brightened by a sharp kick of fresh lime. Served ice-cold in a coupe glass, it's an elegant, spirit-forward aperitif with a striking pale green hue and a clean, dry finish. For lovers of herbaceous and gin-centric drinks like The Last Word or the Alaska, the Green Ghost is a must-try classic.

Similar Cocktails

The Last Word

Uses equal parts Gin, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino Liqueur, and Lime Juice. It's more complex and slightly sweeter.

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