In a prison cell in France in the middle of the nineteenth century, Jean-Baptiste Combier met an acclaimed chemist named François Raspail. The two were serving time for denouncing the acts of Napoleon III.

The chemist, who to this day is recognized for playing a significant role in the revolts that lead to the French Revolution, was well known throughout France for having created an Elixir recipe made from a score or more of rare but aromatic plants that were believed to contain medicinal virtues.

During their prison sentence together, the two men agreed that when released they would combine the famous Elixir with Combier’s original triple sec recipe to create what would become known as le Royal Combier.