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Cocktail History
The Last Word is a classic cocktail that is believed to have been created at Detroit Athletic Club before American Prohibition. The recipe is traditionally made with equal-parts gin, Green Chartreuse, cherry liqueur, and lime, and it was mostly lost to time until the early 2000s when it was rediscovered in the pages of a book at a bar in Seattle, Washington.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Gin: This is a spirit made with juniper berries, botanicals, and alcohol. We used Tanglin Gin Black Powder Gin because it’s a well-rounded high-proof spirit with bright citrus notes and a unique black pepper finish. For a mocktail version of this drink, try MONDAY Zero Alcohol Gin in place of the gin.
Green Chartreuse: This is a liqueur made in France with over a hundred herbs and plants, spices, sugar, and alcohol. For a mocktail version of this drink, try winter herb syrup in place of the Green Chartreuse.
Maraschino Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with Maraschino cherries, honey, herbs, spices, sugar, and alcohol. We used Luxardo Maraschino Orginale Liqueur because it has a distinct earthy aroma and sweet cherry flavor. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Trader Vic’s Premium Maraschino Cherry Syrup in place of the cherry liqueur.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Cherry: This is a fruit that has been soaked in brandy and rich syrup. We used Luxardo Maraschino Cherries because they’re high quality and delicious.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. We used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
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Tasting Notes
The Last Word starts with light anise aromas, the taste is a refreshing mixture of tart, sweet, and spicy, and it has a pleasant herbal finish.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: Consisting of four very different ingredients, this recipe is a perfect balancing act that shouldn’t work but it does. The Chartreuse is the star of the show, giving our navy strength gin something to compete with, while the citrus and cherry liqueur balance in the background. We were both amazed at how delicious and complex this one was, and we understand why it has been a favorite plaything of bartenders over the last twenty years.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions by Lou Bustamante.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-10-03.
Last Word
The Last Word is a classic cocktail that is believed to have been created at Detroit Athletic Club before American Prohibition. The recipe is traditionally made with equal-parts gin, Green Chartreuse, cherry liqueur, and lime, and it was mostly lost to time until the early 2000s when it was rediscovered in the pages of a book at a bar in Seattle, Washington.
Ingredients
Method
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Add gin, maraschino liqueur, Green Chartreuse, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
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Shake for 10-20 seconds.
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Strain into a cocktail glass.
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Garnish with cherry.
