Fontbonne Debuts in the U.S. Providing Mixologists a New Premium French Herbal Liqueur

Rebirth of Historic Botanical Liqueur Revitalizes Cocktail Community

LAKE BLUFF, Ill. (August 6, 2024) – Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur, the historic botanical liqueur brand originally founded in 1874, is seeing a renaissance 150 years later as it officially launches in the United States for mixologists to curate into high-quality cocktails. 

Fontbonne is distilled from 26 meticulously hand-selected plants, roots, and spices in Dijon, France to create a unique liqueur whose production process has remained a secret for over a century and a half. The rebirth of this versatile herbaceous spirit enters the U.S. market as bartenders and mixologists are experiencing shortages of Chartreuse with limited alternative herbal liqueur options.

Louis-Jean Fontbonne was an entrepreneur who prided himself on manufacturing various specialties of award-winning herbal liqueurs. At the culmination of an illustrious career creating highly successful aperitifs, Fontbonne crafted his final masterpiece—Fontbonne Verte. This elixir was masterfully crafted as a testament to Fontbonne’s unwavering dedication to the art of botanical distillation and remained a guarded treasure being passed to his son René Louis Fontbonne, and regrettably later forgotten in the house’s books during the sale of the company in 1909.

Today, the historically significant recipe of Fontbonne Verte has been reawakened as Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur, reviving the rich history of this important ancestral house. Maison Fontbonne, the sole producer, blends and distills the 26 botanical ingredients providing a powerful harmony, subtle balance, and memorable tasting experience. 

"We are excited to introduce Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur to mixologists across the United States at a time when the demand for premium herbal liqueurs is high and alternatives are eagerly sought,” said Tony Terlato II, Vice President at Terlato Wine Group, U.S. importers of Fontbonne. “This launch provides mixologists with a distinctive and versatile ingredient that can elevate their cocktail creations. We believe Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur will become a favorite in the cocktail community, offering a fresh and exciting choice for their innovative recipes."  

Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur 

(45% ALC/VOL,  700 ML) - MSRP $59.99

• To the Eye: A pale but intense green color, brilliant, and reminiscent of the color of the plant world, a fluid texture
• Aroma: Aromatic power and aromatic complexity with herbaceous, aniseed, woody, menthol, and spicy notes
• Palate: Freshness and aromatic power with the complexity of vegetal, aniseed, menthol, and floral notes. Licorice and cinnamon notes extend the tasting
• Alcoholate: Estragon, Fennel, Pine bud, Liquorice, Rosemary, Cardamom, Lavender, Elderflower, Gentian, Basil, Cinnamon, Thyme, Chamomile, Sage, Laurel, Caraway, Cumin, Coriander, Maniguette, Orange peel, Juniper, Angelica, Iris, Lemon peel, Black Tea
• Infusion: Oak

Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur is now available in on-premise bars and restaurants across the country and will be available later this month online at ReserveBar.com. For more information and recipes visit fontbonne1874.com or follow @fontbonne1874 on Instagram. 

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About Maison Fontbonne 

Maison Fontbonne, the sole producer of Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur, distills 26 plants, roots, and spices in Dijon, France to create this unique liqueur whose production process has remained a secret since 1874. Louis-Jean Fontbonne, an entrepreneur who prided himself on manufacturing various specialties of award-winning herbal liqueurs, crafted his final masterpiece—Fontbonne Verte—at the end of an illustrious career. This elixir was masterfully crafted as a testament to Fontbonne’s unwavering dedication to the art of botanical distillation and remained a guarded treasure being passed to his son René Louis Fontbonne, and regrettably later forgotten in the house’s books during the sale of the company in 1909. After 150 years, this historic pale-green botanical elixir, now known as Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur is seeing a renaissance with Maison Fontbonne. For more information, visit fontbonne1874.com or follow @fontbonne1874 on Instagram.