The Elixir of Long Life

By: Olly Wehring - 30 March 2009 17:49

If the recession is getting you down, a trip to nothern England could do you the world of good.

Up in North Yorkshire, workers at Mount Grace Priory are hard at work trying to recreate the exact ancient recipe for Green Chartreuse, a green-coloured liqueur devised by Carthusian monks and named in a medieval manuscript as an "Elixir of Long Life".

The ancient recipe contains up to 130 different herbs and, according to the Priory's visitor operations manager, staff think they've nailed it.

In fact, the secret of longevity may be closer to you than you would imagine.

Chartreuse is still made in France, where the monks have succumbed to the lure of commercial success and set themselves up as a drinks and tourism business.

No disrespect, but who would have thought that the Elixir for Long Life would be available in UK retailer Oddbins for GBP19.99?

Is this why staff at Oddbins always seem so young? Still, at that price, you could probably get a few bottles for your friends to keep you company.

Click here to find a picture on the Chartreuse official website. Does this man know the secret of eternal life?