Cocktails › Classics › Last Word
Last Word
Four pours, all the same size, and not one of them quiet. A Last Word is herbal and bright at once, the gin firm with juniper, the Chartreuse deep and wild with herbs, the maraschino rich with cherry, and the lime cutting through it all so the glass stays sharp from start to finish.
Ingredients
- 0.75oz (22ml) London dry gin
- 0.75oz (22ml) green Chartreuse
- 0.75oz (22ml) maraschino liqueur
- 0.75oz (22ml) fresh lime juice
- Plenty of fresh ice
- Lime wheel or maraschino cherry, for garnish
Method
- Chill a coupe glass in the freezer, or fill it with ice water while you work.
- Add the gin, the green Chartreuse, the maraschino liqueur, and the lime juice to a shaker filled with fresh ice.
- Shake hard for 12 to 15 seconds until the shaker is frosty and the drink is well chilled.
- Strain into the chilled coupe and let the pale green colour settle for a moment.
- Rest the lime wheel on the rim, or drop the maraschino cherry into the glass.
Tip: Measure with real care, because equal parts leaves nowhere to hide. A little extra Chartreuse and the herbs take the whole glass. A little extra lime and the cherry and the herbs fall flat. Pour each one at three quarters of an ounce and trust the balance the recipe was built on.
Serve It With
Our sister site Cooking with Dade pairs it with Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken.
Variations
- Final Ward. Swap the gin for rye whiskey and the lime juice for fresh lemon juice. The herbs stay deep, the base turns to warm spice, and the finish grows rounder and softer, a pour built by Phil Ward in New York.
- Mezcal Last Word. Swap the gin for mezcal. Smoke rolls in under the herbs, the lime turns wilder, and the cherry sits deeper in the glass, bold and savoury from the first sip to the last.
Questions
What is in a Last Word?
Gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice, all in equal parts. The drink is shaken hard with ice, strained into a chilled coupe, and finished with a lime wheel or a maraschino cherry.
Where does the Last Word come from?
The Last Word comes from Detroit, where it was poured at the Detroit Athletic Club around 1915. It faded from view for decades, then came back in 2004 when bartender Murray Stenson put it on the menu at the Zig Zag Cafe in Seattle.
What does green Chartreuse do in a Last Word?
Green Chartreuse brings the deep herbal core the drink is built on, with wild herbs, spice, and real strength all at once. Nothing else tastes like it, and the glass loses its centre without it.
Can I make a Last Word with yellow Chartreuse?
Yes. The glass turns softer and sweeter, with honey and gentle herbs in place of the deep green punch. It makes a fine drink, but it tastes milder and rounder than the classic pour.
What gin works best in a Last Word?
A London dry gin with firm juniper works best, because the Chartreuse and the maraschino both push hard on flavour. A bold and dry bottle holds its own against the herbs and keeps the finish clean and sharp.