Viejo Verde

The Viejo Verde is a bold and intriguing cocktail that showcases the versatility of cachaça beyond the Caipirinha. It expertly combines the earthy, grassy notes of aged cachaça with the intense herbal complexity of Green Chartreuse. Fresh lime juice provides a sharp, sour backbone, while a touch of simple syrup ensures perfect balance, resulting in a vibrant, complex, and deeply satisfying drink.
Viejo Verde

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Viejo Verde is categorized as a Modern Classic Cocktail. It is a spirit-forward alcoholic drink belonging to the sour family, celebrated for its complex and herbaceous flavor profile that has gained recognition in contemporary cocktail culture.

Serving

The Viejo Verde is a spirit-forward cocktail served cold and straight up in a chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It has a significant alcohol content, making for a potent but balanced drink.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created in 2009 by mixologist Marcovaldo Dionysos at the now-closed Clock Bar in San Francisco, this cocktail was conceived as a tribute to both Brazil's national spirit, cachaça, and the legendary French liqueur, Chartreuse. Its name, "Old Green," is a clever nod to the aged (viejo) cachaça and the vibrant color of the Green (verde) Chartreuse, reflecting the key components of the drink.
Origin
San Francisco, USA, 2009.

Viejo Verde

The name "Viejo Verde" is Spanish for "Old Green," a fitting title for a cocktail that features aged cachaça and Green Chartreuse. It hints at both the drink's vibrant color and the maturity of its base spirit, creating a memorable and descriptive name.
Original name
Viejo Verde

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a complex herbaceous and earthy flavor profile with a bright citrus backbone. It has a smooth texture and a long, warming herbal aftertaste, making it a refreshing yet sophisticated choice.
Flavor
Herbaceous, earthy, grassy, citrusy, complex, funky, slightly sweet
Aroma
Botanical, lime zest, sugarcane, herbal
Taste balance
Sour, sweet, herbal
Aftertaste
Long, complex, herbal, warming
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale green, translucent, slightly cloudy
Texture
Smooth, crisp, medium-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, year-round, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Viejo Verde is intensely flavored, with a strong sour kick balanced by moderate sweetness and a powerful herbal character. The alcohol presence is notable but well-integrated into the complex profile.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe calls for aged cachaça as its base, complemented by Green Chartreuse, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. All ingredients are essential for achieving the drink's signature balanced and complex profile.
  • Aged Cachaça45 ml / 1.5 oz
    An aged (envelhecida) cachaça adds depth and complexity compared to unaged (prata) versions.
  • Green Chartreuse22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Essential for the cocktail's signature herbal character and vibrant color.
  • Fresh Lime Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste based on the sweetness of the other ingredients.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker to chill and dilute the ingredients properly. A jigger for measuring, a citrus juicer, and a fine-mesh strainer are also required for a perfectly smooth cocktail.
  • Cocktail shaker for shaking the ingredients with ice
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate measurements
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double-straining to remove ice shards
  • Citrus juicer for juicing the lime

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling a glass, shaking all ingredients with ice until perfectly cold, and then double-straining into the prepared glass. A final garnish of a lime twist completes the drink.
1. Chill your coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add the aged cachaça, Green Chartreuse, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker through a standard and a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled glass.
7. Garnish with a lime twist or wheel.

Garnishing

A simple lime twist or wheel is the classic garnish. Expressing the oils from the lime peel over the surface of the drink adds an aromatic dimension that enhances the first sip.
  • Lime twist or wheel to express oils over the drink and place on the rim

Dietary Information

This drink is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, gluten, nuts, and soy. As it contains no animal products, 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 cocktail contains around 220 calories per serving, primarily from the alcohol and sugar. The carbohydrate and sugar content is moderate, coming from the liqueurs and simple syrup.
Calories
Averagely 210-240 kcal / 880-1000 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 12-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 10-13 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for sophisticated gatherings or as a unique aperitif to stimulate the palate before a meal. Its complex and refreshing character also makes it an excellent choice for a cocktail party or a warm summer evening.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Sophisticated Gathering
  • Summer Evening

Pairing suggestions

The Viejo Verde's bold, herbaceous, and sour profile pairs well with spicy or savory foods. It cuts through the richness of grilled seafood or ceviche and complements the saltiness of cured meats and hard cheeses, making it a versatile food-pairing cocktail.
  • Spicy appetizers
  • Ceviche
  • Grilled seafood
  • Salty cheeses

The Viejo Verde: An Old Green Masterpiece

The Viejo Verde is a modern classic cocktail that offers a captivating journey of flavor. Created by Marcovaldo Dionysos in 2009, it masterfully blends the funky, grassy notes of aged cachaça with the complex herbal punch of Green Chartreuse, all balanced by fresh lime and simple syrup. Served straight up in a coupe glass, this pale green libation is both visually appealing and deeply satisfying, making it a perfect choice for the adventurous drinker seeking something beyond the ordinary.

Similar cocktails

Chartreuse Swizzle

A different style of drink (swizzle) but shares the key ingredients of Chartreuse and lime, typically with rum and falernum.

The Last Word

An equal-parts classic that also features Green Chartreuse and lime juice, but with gin and Maraschino liqueur instead of cachaça.

Caipirinha

Brazil's national cocktail, sharing cachaça and lime as key ingredients, but it's muddled with sugar and served on the rocks.

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