30 Mar The Last Word cocktail recipe
I love a lot of cocktails, but there is something about the Last Word that always stands out to me. The equal parts structure makes it feel almost too simple, yet the result is surprisingly complex.
The combination of gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice creates a flavour that is fresh, herbal and slightly sweet at the same time. It is a cocktail that often surprises people the first time they try it.
It is also one of those drinks that shows how powerful balance can be. When the proportions are right, the Last Word becomes one of the most distinctive classic cocktails you can make.
The story of the Last Word
The Last Word cocktail dates back to the early twentieth century and was first served at the Detroit Athletic Club in Michigan. The drink was reportedly created around the time of Prohibition and quickly became a favourite among members of the club.
One of the most interesting aspects of the cocktail is its perfectly equal proportions. Unlike many classic drinks that require careful adjustments, the Last Word uses a simple formula. Equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and fresh lime juice.
Despite its early popularity the cocktail eventually disappeared from most bars and cocktail books. For decades the Last Word was largely forgotten.
The drink was rediscovered in the early 2000s when bartender Murray Stenson found the recipe in an old cocktail book while working at the Zig Zag Café in Seattle. After he began serving it again the cocktail quickly spread through the modern cocktail scene.
Today the Last Word cocktail has become a staple in craft cocktail bars around the world. It is now considered one of the great examples of how balance and simplicity can create something truly memorable.
Choosing the ingredients
Gin:
A classic London Dry gin works best for a Last Word cocktail. The clean juniper profile balances the sweetness of the maraschino liqueur and the intense herbal character of the Chartreuse.
For this recipe we use Bombay Sapphire. It has a balanced botanical profile that works very well in cocktails without overpowering the other ingredients. The citrus and spice notes complement the lime and herbal liqueur nicely while still letting the Chartreuse shine.
Avoid overly floral or heavily flavoured gins, as they can easily dominate the drink. The Last Word cocktail relies on balance, so a clean and structured gin like Bombay Sapphire is an excellent choice.
Green Chartreuse:
Green Chartreuse is the ingredient that truly defines the Last Word cocktail. The French herbal liqueur is produced by Carthusian monks using a secret recipe of more than 130 herbs, plants and botanicals.
It brings an intense herbal complexity, natural sweetness and the distinctive green colour that gives the cocktail its signature appearance.
In recent years Green Chartreuse has also become notoriously difficult to find. The monks intentionally limit production to preserve their traditional methods, and demand from the cocktail world has grown dramatically. As a result many bars and retailers frequently run out of stock.
Because of this shortage some bartenders experiment with substitutes. However, the flavour of Chartreuse is unique and difficult to replicate. If you want to experience the Last Word cocktail the way it was intended, using real Green Chartreuse is still the best option.
Maraschino Liqueur:
Maraschino liqueur adds subtle sweetness and a light cherry note that helps balance the sharpness of the lime juice.
Luxardo Maraschino is the classic choice and the brand most commonly used in cocktail bars. Its dry, slightly nutty character works particularly well in the Last Word recipe.
Lime juice:
Fresh lime juice is essential. Bottled lime juice tends to taste flat and can easily ruin the balance of the cocktail.
Always squeeze the lime just before making the drink. The brightness of fresh lime juice is what gives the Last Word cocktail its refreshing character.
Garnish
The garnish for the cocktail Last Word is quite simple. It is a maraschino cherry dumped to the bottom of the glass.
The Last Word Cocktail
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Chill your Nick & Nora or coupe glass with ice or place it in a freezer. Remove the ice from the glass before serving
- Prepare your garnish by rinsing the maraschino cherry.
- Add equal parts of gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and freshly squeezed lime juice to a shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 8-12 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass.
- Add the maraschino cherry to the bottom of the glass and serve immediately.
Common Mistakes
What to Remember
- Keep it simple - Use fresh ingredients and quality spirits. Nothing more is needed.
Double strain the Last Word - It removes ice shards and gives a cleaner finish
- Chill the cocktail glass - A cocktail served without ice, it warms quicly. A chilled glass prevents that.
- Use equal parts - The Last Word works because all ingredients are used in the same proportions. Measure carefully to keep the balance.
- Shake hard - The cocktail contains several strong liqueurs. Proper shaking creates the dilution needed to balance the drink.
FAQ
- What glass should I use for serving? - The Last Word cocktail is typically served in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It is served straight up without ice to highlight the bright citrus and herbal aromas.
- Can I substitute the Green Chartreuse - Green Chartreuse is a defining ingredient in the Last Word cocktail and there is no perfect substitute. Some bartenders experiment with other herbal liqueurs, but the flavour will never be quite the same.
- Why is the Last Word made with equal parts? - The Last Word cocktail follows an equal parts structure where gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice are used in the same proportions. The sweetness of the liqueurs, the acidity of the lime and the strength of the gin balance each other out.
- What is the alcohol percentage of a Last Word? -A Last Word typically ranges between 20 – 24 % ABV depending on dilution from shaking.
- Who invented the cocktail Last Word? - The Last Word was created at the Detroit Athletic Club in the early 1900s. The drink later disappeared for many years before being rediscovered by bartender Murray Stenson at the Zig Zag Café in Seattle in the early 2000s.
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Carl-Ditlev is a bartender and co-founder of EOW Magazine, dedicated to keeping cocktails simple with quality spirits, fresh juice, and homemade syrups.
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