Love & Murder
A bold, theatrical cocktail from Porchlight NYC, balancing Green Chartreuse and Campari with lime and saline for a striking neon green-ruby appearance and intense herbal-bitter flavor profile.
Recipe
- Green Chartreuse30 ml
- Campari30 ml
- Lime Juice30 ml
- Simple syrup (1:1)22.5 ml
- Saline Solution4 drops
- Lime1 twist
Instructions
Equipment
Description
Created by Nick Bennett at Porchlight bar in New York City around 2021, the Love & Murder is a high-proof sour that draws inspiration from a Broadway play title. This dramatic cocktail combines equal parts Green Chartreuse and Campari, creating a complex interplay of herbal spice and bitter citrus notes. Originally featured on Porchlight’s “Guzzlers” menu, it’s designed to be light yet potent, often limited to one per guest due to its substantial 25-30% ABV.
Nutritional information
1 cocktail (156ml)Tips & Notes
Store both Campari and Green Chartreuse chilled in the refrigerator - this enhances their flavor profiles and creates a better-textured final cocktail.
Make saline solution by mixing 50ml water with 10g kosher salt. Store in a dropper bottle in the refrigerator for easy, consistent dosing across multiple cocktails.
Always use freshly squeezed lime juice - pre-bottled juice will dull the bright acidity that's essential for balancing the intense liqueurs.
Shake hard and with conviction - this high-proof cocktail needs vigorous agitation to properly integrate the saline and build the subtle foam that improves texture.
Due to its high alcohol content (25-30% ABV), limit guests to one Love & Murder per service - it's meant to be savored slowly and contemplatively.
Why is saline solution necessary in this cocktail?
Saline solution enhances the flavors of both the Green Chartreuse and Campari without adding detectable saltiness. It softens the bitter edges while amplifying the herbal and citrus notes, creating better integration between the powerful ingredients. This technique, influenced by Dave Arnold’s liquid intelligence approach, makes the cocktail more balanced and drinkable.
Can I make this cocktail less strong while maintaining the flavor profile?
Yes, you can reduce the Green Chartreuse to 22.5ml and add 7.5ml of still water to lower the ABV while maintaining the essential flavor balance. Alternatively, serve it on the rocks with a large clear ice cube for slow dilution, or increase the simple syrup slightly to 30ml while reducing Campari to 22.5ml for a gentler introduction to the cocktail’s intense profile.
What's the best way to batch this cocktail for parties?
For 8 servings, combine 240ml each of Green Chartreuse, Campari, and lime juice with 180ml simple syrup in a chilled bottle. Store refrigerated and shake individual 90ml portions with ice and 4 drops of saline solution per drink. This maintains the proper texture and integration that makes the cocktail special while allowing efficient service.
What foods pair well with the Love & Murder cocktail?
The cocktail’s herbal complexity and bitter profile pair excellently with charcuterie boards, spicy Thai cuisine, or rich chocolate desserts. The Chartreuse’s herbal notes complement cured meats and aged cheeses, while the bitter Campari cuts through rich, fatty foods. It also works as a dramatic aperitif before bold, flavorful meals.
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