The Last Word

Ingredients:

1 ounce gin

1 ounce green Chartreuse

1 ounce maraschino liqueur

1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice

Ice cubes

Optional garnish: brandied cherry or lime twist

Instructions:

Chill the Glass:
Place a coupe or Nick & Nora glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

Add Liquids:
In a cocktail shaker, add the gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and freshly squeezed lime juice.

Add Ice and Shake:
Fill the shaker with ice cubes, seal tightly, and shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until the cocktail is well-chilled and slightly diluted.

Strain:
Discard the ice from the chilled glass if needed. Strain the cocktail into the glass using a Hawthorne strainer for a smooth finish.

Garnish:
Garnish with a brandied cherry dropped into the glass or a thin lime twist expressed over the surface.

Notes:

Balance Is Key: The Last Word is famous for its equal-parts structure. Measure carefully to maintain the cocktail’s signature harmony of herbal, sweet, sour, and spirit-forward notes.

Spirit Selection: A classic London dry gin works beautifully, but a softer, floral gin can highlight the herbal complexity of the Chartreuse.

The Last Word originated at the Detroit Athletic Club in the early 20th century and was rediscovered during the modern craft cocktail revival. Its perfectly balanced equal-parts formula has made it a template for countless variations and a benchmark for bartenders worldwide.

For a twist, try swapping gin for rye whiskey (known as a Final Ward), mezcal for a smoky variation, or yellow Chartreuse for a slightly softer, honeyed profile.