• The quintessential alpine drink, traditional on ice or in hot cocoa
• Exceptional in the many classic cocktails calling for alpine herbal liqueur
• Drier and more green herbal than other Génépy
• Génépy flowers used in distillates are cultivated in Meunier’s own fields in the heart of the Vanoise Massif, in Savoie

High in the French Alps, sensations are more intense and the mountain air is dry and pure. And so it is with this legendary alpine herbal liqueur, associated with this mountain region for centuries, its expression marked by local herbs and a subtle sweetness. Principal among these is génépy (sometime spelled ‘génépi), a variety of petite artemisia, or mountain sage, found in the high mountains of Isère, Savoie and the Haut-Savoie. Its fresh, bright floral and herbal flavors have long been associated with the mountain air and adventure. Today, it remains a darling of fine dining and Alpine ski resorts, served on the rocks or with tonic, and the house founded more than 200 years ago by Charles Meunier remains one of its chief exemplars.

keeps indefinitely
(50-65ºF)

keeps indefinitely
(room temp)

pour varies
(59-64ºF)

About Distillerie Meunier

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For more than 200 years, the house of Charles Meunier has been unique in having Génépy (sometimes spelled Génépi) as its principal focus. Founded in 1809 in Voirons with partner Camille Teisseire, a French politician and producer of ratafias and liqueurs based in Grenoble, they perfected a unique distillate of alpine herbs and wildflowers, leading to the creation of the first Génépy des Alpes. Still family-owned, today Meunier is led by Edouard and Arthur Modelski and is located in the village of Saint-Quentin-sur-Isère, in the foothills of the Vercours and Chartreuse mountains.

In keeping with its artisan focus and environmental commitment, the house maintains fields of génépy and other herbs and wildflowers at 1800 meters altitude on the Vanoise Massif in neighboring Savoie and by 2025 these will serve the entirety of its botanical needs. Likewise, distillation in Charentais alembic pot stills ensure that the historic character of its Génépy and other spirits is not lost to modernity. Full details

About Floral/Herbal/Amaro Liqueurs

Inhabitants of Europe's mountainous regions have made liqueurs with local flowers and plants for centuries. These include the fragrant, floral crème de violette as well as herbaceous and bitter liqueurs that started out as elixirs to aid indigestion and other ailments. The latter category includes amaro, meaning "bitter," in Italian. While they began as wine-based digestive aids, most modern amari are composed of spirits (usually neutral spirits), a proprietary mix of herbs and botanicals, and sugar or other natural sweetener. Always appropriate neat or with coffee after a meal, floral, herbal and amaro liqueurs also enliven many contemporary and classic cocktails. Full details