Best Last Word Cocktail Recipe
Unearth the magic of the timeless Last Word cocktail, a captivating blend of gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.
Table of Contents
I can’t wait to let you in on the “Last Word” cocktail. It’s a blast-from-the-past Prohibition-era drink. The Last Word isn’t just a looker with its vibrant green color, it’s a bold and balanced treat for the taste buds. And the best part? It uses just four basic ingredients!
Gin is the star of the show here, just like in our favorite classics – the Martini and the Negroni. But in the Last Word, it’s complimented differently. The drink brings out the earthy flavours of gin with Green Chartreuse’s herbal notes and the Maraschino’s sugary goodness.
Like its sophisticated cousins, the Aviation and the Corpse Reviver #2, the Last Word isn’t just about its individual components. These drinks all share the beauty of being equal-part recipes! Sounds almost like magic, right?
INGREDIENTS
- 3/4 oz gin
- 3/4 oz green Chartreuse
- 3/4 oz maraschino liqueur
- 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- lime wheel (for garnish)
- ice cubes
Utensils Needed
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger – to help measure the accurate amounts of ingredients.
- Speed pourer (optional)
- Strainer
- A martini glass, ideally chilled – Pre-chilling the glass ensures that the cocktail stays cool!
- Citrus juicer (optional) – If you’re using fresh lime juice.
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine
In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.
Shake
Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
Strain
Strain the mixture from the shaker into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
Garnish
Garnish your Last Word with a lime wheel placed on the rim of the glass or floating in the drink.
Tips and Tricks
- Quality Ingredients: This is an obvious tip, top-quality gin, green Chartreuse, and maraschino liqueur really make a difference.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Fresh juice will always be the better option. It’s livelier and healthier.
- Shake Vigorously: A good shake should last 10-15 seconds.
- Double Strain: If you’re having issues with debris in your beverage, you may want to run it through a fine-mesh strainer after you’ve poured it through the shaker’s own strainer.
- Experiment with bitters: Bitters are not a traditional ingredient of the Last Word, but I like how they bring something different to the cocktail.
Variations
- The Final Ward: Replace the gin with rye whisky and the lime juice with lemon juice. The resulting drink will be more robust. It was invented by bartender Phil Ward, hence the name.
- Low Carb/Healthier Version: Keep an eye out for a gin with a lower alcohol and calorie content. Rid the Last Word of the original maraschino liqueur and use instead a sugar-free maraschino cherry syrup. You can also use a few drops of lime essential oil and a splash of soda water instead of the lime juice.
- Naked & Famous: Invented by mixologist Joaquín Simó, the Naked & Famous cocktail replaces gin with mezcal (think of it as a smoky tequila) but keeps the green Chartreuse and lime juice intact. The maraschino liqueur steps aside for Aperol, a bright orange Italian aperitif.
- Green Eyes: Another Mexican take, the Green Eyes uses blanco tequila instead of gin and yellow Chartreuse instead of the maraschino liqueur. This is for tequila lovers and indeed Chartreuse lovers, who will appreciate the tandem yellow and green variants coming together in one cocktail.
FAQs
How many calories are in a Last Word Cocktail?
A standard Last Word Cocktail, made with 3/4 oz of each ingredient, has approximately 190-220 calories.
How should I drink a Last Word Cocktail?
A Last Word should be served chilled and sipped slowly to savor its intricate flavors. It makes for a wonderful pre-dinner drink, as an aperitif, though you wouldn’t look out of place drinking one at a cocktail party. I recommend drinking it in a chilled coupe or martini glass with no straw or additional garnishes.
What is green Chartreuse?
Green Chartreuse hails from 18th-century France. It’s an herbal liqueur made by Carthusian monks, who used a secret blend of 130 different herbs, plants, and flowers. It is bright green in color, making a Last Word stand out in any room. There is a milder yellow version but for this recipe I recommend you stick with the green variant.
Can I substitute another liqueur for maraschino?
If you’re not bothered about the Last Word’s lightly sweet cherry flavor, you can experiment with other fruit liqueurs, like elderflower or apricot.
How To Make the Last Word Cocktail Ahead Of Time
To make the Last Word Cocktail ahead of time, mix together the gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and store the mix in the fridge. Don’t use ice; the fridge will do just fine (and won’t water down the mixture). It should keep for up to 24 hours. When it comes time to make the drink, pour the mixture into a shaker and add ice. Then proceed with the recipe as outlined above.
Last Word Cocktail
The Last Word, a classic cocktail that brings together gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice, will enchant you with its delightful burst of tastes and aromas.
Servings 1
Calories 187kcal
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz gin
- 3/4 oz green Chartreuse
- 3/4 oz maraschino liqueur
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- lime wheel for garnish
- ice cubes
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.
- Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture from the shaker into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish your Last Word Cocktail with a lime wheel placed on the rim of the glass or floating in the drink.
Notes
- Quality Ingredients: This is an obvious tip, top-quality gin, green Chartreuse, and maraschino liqueur really make a difference.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Fresh juice will always be the better option. It’s livelier and healthier.
- Shake Vigorously: A good shake should last 10-15 seconds.
- Double Strain: If you’re having issues with debris in your beverage, you may want to run it through a fine-mesh strainer after you’ve poured it through the shaker’s own strainer.
- Experiment with bitters: Bitters are not a traditional ingredient of the Last Word, but I like how they bring something different to the cocktail.
Nutrition
Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 25mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.03mg
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