Last Word Cocktail Recipe

The Last Word cocktail is a classic Prohibition-era cocktail that was first created at the Detroit Athletic Club in the early 20th century. It experienced a resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s and has since become a staple at craft cocktail bars around the world. The cocktail is known for its unique combination of flavors and its beautiful green hue.

• Prohibition-era origin
• Created at the Detroit Athletic Club
• Resurgence in popularity in the early 2000s

The Last Word is a well-balanced cocktail with a complex flavor profile. It is simultaneously sweet, sour, herbal, and slightly bitter. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the Chartreuse adds a rich, herbal complexity. The maraschino liqueur brings a touch of sweetness, and the lime juice adds a refreshing, tart finish.

• The Last Word is one of the few classic cocktails that uses equal parts of all its ingredients
• Green Chartreuse, one of the key ingredients, is a French liqueur made by Carthusian monks using a secret recipe of 130 herbs, plants, and flowers
• The cocktail's resurgence in popularity is often credited to bartender Murray Stenson, who rediscovered the recipe in a vintage cocktail book and began serving it at the Zig Zag Café in Seattle

1. Chill a coupe glass by filling it with ice and setting it aside
2. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker: 0.75 oz gin, 0.75 oz Green Chartreuse, 0.75 oz maraschino liqueur, and 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds
4. Discard the ice from the chilled coupe glass
5. Double strain the cocktail into the coupe glass
6. Garnish with a brandied cherry or a lime twist (optional)

• Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor
• Shake vigorously to ensure all ingredients are well combined
• Double strain the cocktail to remove any small ice shards or pulp

Appetizers

• Cheese plate: A variety of cheeses, particularly those with a strong or creamy profile, like blue cheese or goat cheese, can complement the herbal qualities of the Green Chartreuse.
• Seafood: Light seafood dishes, such as shrimp cocktail or scallop ceviche, can create a pleasant contrast with the Last Word's robust flavor.
• Nuts: Salted almonds or pistachios can balance the sweetness of the maraschino liqueur.

Main Courses

• Chicken with Herbs: The gin's botanicals pair well with herb-roasted chicken.
• Pasta with Pesto: The basil and pine nuts in pesto mirror the herbal tones of the cocktail.

Desserts

• Lime tart: Echoes the citrus notes in the cocktail.
• Dark Chocolate: The bitterness can be a nice counterpoint to the sweet and sour profile of the drink.

• Gin: Can be substituted with vodka for a less juniper-forward flavor
• Green Chartreuse: Yellow Chartreuse can be used for a milder, sweeter flavor
• Maraschino Liqueur: Can be replaced with a cherry liqueur or cherry brandy
• Lime Juice: Fresh lemon juice can be used for a different citrus note

The Final Saying

• Replace gin with mezcal for a smoky counterpart.
• Use 0.5 oz of each ingredient to mellow the impact.
• Add a splash of grapefruit juice for added complexity. This twist brings a smokier, more mysterious Last Word, with a nod to Mexican spirits.

Whispered Word

• Swap the gin for Irish whiskey.
• Reduce maraschino to 0.5 oz and compensate with 0.25 oz of honey syrup.
• Garnish with an orange twist. This variant is warmer and softer, with the whiskey and honey offering a comforting whisper compared to the sharp utterance of gin.

The Verbose Verse

• Use a barrel-aged gin for added woody notes.
• Add a dash of Angostura Bitters for depth.
• Garnish with a sprig of thyme. The barrel-aged gin and bitters introduce a complex narrative to the classic recipe, perfect for those who like a story in their sip.