Last Word Cocktail
The Last Word Cocktail is a lightly glowing green, Prohibition-era gin cocktail that’s gently sweet, alluringly aromatic, and brightened with a refreshing twist.
the Last Word Cocktail
Welcome to the Last Word cocktail, a prohibition-era, gin-based cocktail made with an intriguing blend of well-balanced ingredients you might not think to immediately pair together.
The result? A lightly glowing green cocktail that’s gently sweet, alluringly aromatic, and brightened with a refreshing twist.
I hope you love making the Last Word cocktail as much as I did! Ready to shake things up? Let’s go!
Last Word Cocktail Ingredients
To make the Last Word cocktail recipe, you’ll need just four ingredients and a fifth for garnish.
- Gin – for the best gin for Last Word, try Tanqueray No. 10 or Bombay Sapphire.
- Green Chartreuse – made from 130 alpine herbs and featuring a naturally green color, Green Chartreuse is exclusively made by the Carthusian monks of La Grande Chartreuse monastery in France. There is no imitation or substitute that will do.
- Maraschino liqueur – Luxardo is best for this cocktail. Made from Marasca cherries grown only in northeastern Italy, this brand is considered the best, with the most luxurious taste.
- Lime juice – freshly-squeezed is always the best way to go, and since there are only 4 ingredients, it’s important to make each one count.
- Brandied cherries – Here are the exact brandied cherries that I used to make my last word cocktail. They’re deeply sweet and richly satisfying.
Last Word Cocktail History
Although the first written record of the Last Word Cocktail occurred in 1951 in the Bottoms Up cocktail book by Ted Saucier, this cocktail is actually a Prohibition-era libation from the early 1920s, or perhaps even earlier. [1]
The Last Word was created at the Detroit Athletic Club in the 20s, then popularized by Frank Fogarty.
There is, however, proof that the drink existed as early as 1916, when the last word cocktail went for $0.35, making it Detroit Athletic Club’s most costly drink. [2]
How to Make a Last Word Cocktail
The last word cocktail recipe is a surprisingly straightforward one that includes luxury and sometimes hard-to-find ingredients.
Today, I’m going to show you how to make a Last Word Cocktail in just a few easy steps (with photos!!).
Add
First, add all Last Word cocktail ingredients into a cocktail shaker ½ or 2/3 full of ice.
This includes: gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
Shake
Next, close the shaker. Then, shake until all ingredients are well mixed and thoroughly chilled, about 20 seconds.
Strain
Now, strain the Last word cocktail mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish
Lastly, spear two to three brandied cherries onto a cocktail skewer. Place the skewer across the rim of the coupe glass.
Serve
Serve and enjoy the best Last Word cocktail!
Last Word Cocktail Variations
Once you’ve nailed the classic recipe for the Last Word Cocktail, you can start playing around with variations. Here are a few to get you started:
Final Ward by Phil Ward at Death & Co.
- ¾ oz rye whiskey
- ¾ oz Green Chartreuse
- ¾ oz Maraschino liqueur
- ¾ oz lemon juice
Last of the Oaxacans (or Closing Argument) by Rick Dobbs
- ¾ oz mezcal
- ¾ oz lime juice
- ¾ oz Luxardo Maraschino
- ¾ oz Green Chartreuse
- 1 slice serrano pepper
- Add to a cocktail shaker half-full of ice and shake until chilled.
- Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass, then garnish with a slice of serrano pepper.
Ultima Palabra by Simone De Luca at High Road House Club
- ¾ oz mezcal
- ¾ oz Green Chartreuse
- ¾ oz Maraschino liqueur
- ¾ oz lime juice
- ¾ oz pineapple juice
- Garnish: pineapple and maraschino cherries
Naked and Famous by Joaquín Simó at Death & Co.
- ¾ oz mezcal
- ¾ oz Yellow Chartreuse
- ¾ oz Aperol
- ¾ oz lime juice
- Garnish: Maraschino cherry
Division Bell by Phil Ward
- 1 oz mezcal
- ¾ oz Aperol
- ½ oz Maraschino liqueur
- ¾ oz lime juice
Electric Circus by Chall Gray of Little Jumbo
- ¾ oz gin
- ¾ oz Midori
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ¾ oz génépy
- 1 dash Bar Keep Chinese Bitters
- Garnish: lemon twist
The Last Laugh by Abigail Gullo
- All of these ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice:
- ¾ oz gin
- ¾ oz Green Chartreuse
- ¾ oz Maraschino liqueur
- ¾ oz lime juice
- Finish with cava to the top of a champagne flute
- Garnish with a lime twist
The Paper Plane by Sasha Petraske and Sam Ross of Milk & Honey
- ¾ oz bourbon
- ¾ oz Aperol
- ¾ oz Amaro Nonino
- ¾ oz lemon juice
See also: The Gold Rush Cocktail and Penicillin Cocktail Recipe, by the same bar
Gin Cocktail Recipes
- Gimlet Cocktail Recipe
- Bee’s Knees Cocktail
- Extra Dirty Martini / Hot and Dirty Martini / Dirty Martini
- Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe
- Gibson Cocktail Recipe
- 15 Best Martini Recipes
Tools You Need
- brandied cherries
- cocktail shaker
- stainless steel skewers
- coupe glasses
Sip Happy!
Okay, but how fun was it learning all about the last word cocktail? I bet you’re itching to make a batch! (I hope so.) If you make this drink, be sure to take a pic and share it on Instagram and Facebook, tagging me @beamingbaker and #beamingbaker. I can’t wait to see it!
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
Print
Last Word Cocktail
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Description
Last Word Cocktail is a lightly glowing green, Prohibition-era gin cocktail that’s gently sweet, alluringly aromatic, and brightened with a refreshing twist.
Ingredients
Tools Needed
- cocktail shaker
- stainless steel skewers
- coupe glasses
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz gin
- 3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
- 3/4 oz Maraschino liqueur – preferably Luxardo
- 3/4 oz freshly-squeezed lime juice
Garnish
- Brandied cherries
Instructions
- Add gin, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino liqueur, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chill and well mixed, about 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a brandied cherry skewer. Sip and enjoy.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails
- Method: Drinks, Cocktails
- Cuisine: American
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Did you make this recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker & tag @beamingbaker. I’d love to see it!
Aww, thank you! 🙂
Aww, thank you! 🙂
Isn’t it fun to know the origins of a drink? It adds a little something extra special to the enjoyment, I think. Glad you liked it!
Isn’t it fun to know the origins of a drink? It adds a little something extra special to the enjoyment, I think. Glad you liked it!
It really looks like a work of art. Thank you for your complete explanation.
Aww, thank you! 🙂
I think you’re in for a real treat, Carrie! 😄
I think you’re in for a real treat, Carrie! 😄
You’re welcome! I know, so many intriguing varieties to try. 🙂
You’re welcome! I know, so many intriguing varieties to try. 🙂
Looks like a very refreshing drink. Thanks for sharing all the interesting variations!
You’re welcome! I know, so many intriguing varieties to try. 🙂
This last word cocktail sounds super refreshing and delicious.
It is! Perfect for spring cocktail parties.
Oh yum! Such a fun and refreshing cocktail. I love how you included the history. It looks so good.
I am a gin lover, so this cocktail definitely has me intrigued! I think I am going to have to make this tonight and taste test it for myself. 😉
I think you’re in for a real treat, Carrie! 😄