Swamp Water
The Swamp Water is a highball cocktail that brilliantly showcases the complex character of Green Chartreuse. Despite its simple two-ingredient composition, the drink offers a delightful interplay between the liqueur's bold herbal, sweet, and spicy notes and the tropical sweetness of pineapple juice. The result is a uniquely refreshing and flavorful drink that is much more sophisticated than its name might suggest. It's an excellent way to enjoy Chartreuse in a more accessible, long-drink format.
Preparation
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Swamp Water is a simple highball cocktail, characterized by a spirit mixed with a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer and served in a tall glass over ice. It's a straightforward and refreshing drink, easy to classify and prepare.
Serving
The Swamp Water is a cold, refreshing highball drink served over ice in a tall glass. Its alcohol content is moderate, making it a pleasant long drink for sipping.
Serving size
Approx. 180-240 ml / 6-8 oz
Alcohol content
~15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None
Backstory
The exact origin of the Swamp Water is murky, much like its name implies. It is believed to have gained some popularity in the 1970s in the southern United States, particularly in areas like South Carolina or Florida. It was likely created as a simple, refreshing way to drink the intensely flavored Green Chartreuse, making it more approachable for a wider audience.
Origin
United States, likely the American South, circa 1970s.
Swamp Water
The drink is most commonly known as Swamp Water, but is sometimes simply called Chartreuse and Pineapple, reflecting its two main ingredients. Another name, Green River, alludes to its distinctive color. These names playfully evoke the cocktail's murky green appearance.
Original name
Swamp Water
Alternative names
- Chartreuse and Pineapple
- Green River
Characteristics overview
This cocktail has a distinct murky green appearance with a sweet, herbal aroma dominated by pineapple and botanicals. The taste is a unique balance of tropical sweetness and the complex notes of Chartreuse, creating a smooth, refreshing texture perfect for summer.
Flavor
Herbal, sweet, tropical, complex, botanical, slightly medicinal
Aroma
Pineapple, sweet herbs, botanical, fresh
Taste balance
Sweet, herbal, slightly sour
Aftertaste
Lingering herbal notes, clean, sweet finish
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Murky green, opaque, yellowish-green
Texture
Smooth, juicy
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery
Flavor intensity & Experience
This drink presents a bold combination of fruity sweetness from the pineapple juice and a complex herbal profile from the Chartreuse. It is moderately sweet, low in alcohol strength, and has a distinctive, intense flavor despite its simple preparation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This simple cocktail requires only two main ingredients: the complex herbal liqueur Green Chartreuse and sweet pineapple juice. A lime wedge is often used as an optional garnish.
- Green Chartreuse45 ml / 1.5 ozThe key ingredient; its unique flavor cannot be substituted.
- Pineapple Juice120 ml / 4 ozGood quality bottled juice works well, but fresh is best.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
No special equipment is needed as the drink is built directly in the serving glass. A bar spoon is useful for a gentle stir to combine the ingredients.
- Highball glass for building the drink
- Bar spoon for stirring
Instructions
To make a Swamp Water, simply fill a highball glass with ice, add Green Chartreuse, and top with pineapple juice. Stir gently to combine and finish with a garnish.
1. Fill a highball glass with cubed ice.
2. Pour 1.5 oz (45 ml) of Green Chartreuse over the ice.
3. Top with 4 oz (120 ml) of pineapple juice.
4. Give the drink a gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge or a pineapple frond.
Garnishing
A simple lime wedge or wheel is the most common garnish, adding a touch of citrus aroma. For a more elaborate, tropical presentation, a pineapple frond can be used.
- Lime wedge or wheel, placed on the rim or dropped into the drink.
- Pineapple frond, for a more tropical look.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten. It is also 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
The Swamp Water is moderately caloric, with most of its calories coming from the alcohol in the Chartreuse and the high sugar content of the pineapple juice. It is relatively high in both carbohydrates and sugar.
Calories
Averagely 200-250 kcal / 837-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 20-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 18-23 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This drink is perfect for warm weather, making it ideal for summer parties, backyard barbecues, and casual patio sipping. Its tropical pineapple element also makes it a fitting addition to tiki-themed events.
- Summer Parties
- Casual Gatherings
- Patio Sipping
- Tiki-themed events
Pairing suggestions
The sweet and herbal character of the Swamp Water pairs well with spicy foods, like Thai or Caribbean cuisine, as it helps to cool the palate. It also complements grilled meats and tropical fruit. Its refreshing nature makes it a great companion for simple salty snacks.
- Spicy dishes
- Grilled chicken or pork
- Tropical fruit platters
- Salty snacks
The Swamp Water: A Deceptively Delicious Herbal Highball
The Swamp Water is a simple yet surprisingly complex cocktail that combines Green Chartreuse and pineapple juice. Its name and murky green appearance belie a refreshingly delicious flavor profile, where the 130 herbs of the liqueur meet tropical sweetness. It's an incredibly easy-to-make highball, perfect for those looking to explore Chartreuse beyond classic cocktails. This drink is a testament to how two well-chosen ingredients can create a perfectly balanced and intriguing beverage.
Similar Cocktails
You May Also Like
Brandy and Ginger
A simple and refreshing highball combining the warmth of brandy with the spicy sweetness of ginger ale.
Saketini
A smooth, elegant variation of the classic Martini, replacing vermouth with Japanese sake for a delicate, nuanced flavor.
Cadillac Margarita
A luxurious and smooth upgrade to the classic Margarita, featuring premium reposado tequila and Grand Marnier orange liqueur.
Select Spritz
A refreshing, bittersweet Italian aperitivo cocktail from Venice, made with Select Aperitivo, prosecco, and soda water.
Have You Tried These Yet?
Royal Hawaiian Cocktail
A refreshing and elegant gin-based tropical cocktail with the sweet tartness of pineapple and a nutty hint of orgeat.
Harvard Cocktail
A sophisticated and smooth classic cocktail featuring Cognac, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
Newark
A sophisticated and robust variation of the Brooklyn cocktail, featuring apple brandy, sweet vermouth, Fernet-Branca, and maraschino liqueur.
El Capitán Cocktail
A sophisticated Peruvian cocktail that masterfully blends the grape-based spirit pisco with sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters.