chartreuse, liqueur made exclusively by Carthusians at their monastery, La Grande Chartreuse, France, until their expulsion in 1903. The French distillery and trademark were sold, and the order set up a new plant in Tarragona, Spain. The monks' product is identified by the name Liqueur des Pères Chartreux. Readmitted to France in 1941, the Carthusians resumed manufacture there. Green chartreuse contains about 57% alcohol; the sweeter yellow variety, about 43%.