The Last Word cocktail recipe, which combines London Dry gin, herbaceous Chartreuse, bitter maraschino liqueur, and tart lime juice, may seem unconventional, but it serves as the foundation for numerous variations. Its equal parts make it easy to remember, enabling each ingredient to harmonize with the others. This cocktail is truly unforgettable – a delightful pale green libation that is subtly sweet, mildly sour, and complex in flavor.
In 1915, the Last Word was originally crafted at the Detroit Athletic Club, where it held the distinction of being the most expensive cocktail available. Despite the challenges of Prohibition, this simple yet exquisite sour recipe managed to persevere thanks to its inclusion in the book Bottoms Up in 1951. However, it largely faded into obscurity thereafter.
Fast forward to 2004, when a bartender named Stenson from Seattle’s Zig Zag Café stumbled upon the Last Word recipe in Bottoms Up. From that moment, it quickly gained popularity among enthusiasts, finding its place as an excellent aperitivo, palate cleanser, or warming winter beverage. As the recipe spread, countless variations of the Last Word emerged.
1. Last Word
You can’t go wrong with the original equal parts sour cocktail recipe. The Pre-Prohibition drink is made of gin, green Chartreuse, lime juice, and maraschino liqueur, paving the way for numerous Last Word variations.
2. Paper Plane
Keeping with the equal parts recipe, the Paper Plane cocktail has been an instant classic since its conception in 2007. It’s made with bourbon, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, and lemon juice and has its own following and variations.
3. Final Ward
Herbal and sweet with a dry finish, the Final Ward swaps the gin out for rye while the rest of the recipe remains the same. It was created in NYC in 2007 with rye, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice.
4. Naked and Famous
With new interest in mezcal, Naked and Famous is sure to please. The smoky rendition of the Last Word keeps to the equal parts tradition with mezcal, yellow chartreuse instead of green, Aperol in place of maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
5. The Last Laugh
The herbal sweet and sour notes of the Last Word get a bubbly addition in the Last Laugh. Following the original recipe, it adds a splash of sparkling wine for a flavor reminiscent of an herbal French 75.
6. Ultima Palabra
Translated from Spanish, “Ultima Palabra” means Last Word. This classic Last Word riff swaps mezcal for gin but keeps the original recipe for a complex, smoky, yet sour cocktail.
7. Oh, My Word!
Bold and bitter, without any citrus, this elegant Last Word variation is from Amor y Amargo in New York. It’s made with Old Tom gin, Amaro Montenegro, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime-flavored bitters.
8. Division Bell
A mezcal and Aperol riff on the Last Word, Division Bell is the smoky bittersweet cocktail that combines the best parts of Naked and Famous and Ultima Palabra. To make, combine mezcal, Aperol, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
9. Monte Cassino
The Monte Cassino’s more botanical take on the Last Word recipe is just as complex with rye, Benedictine, yellow Chartreuse, and lemon juice for a rich, intriguing cocktail.
10. Dublin Minstrel
The Dublin Minstrel is a warm whiskey variation of the Last Word. The recipe swaps the gin out for Irish whiskey and combines equal parts of green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.
11. Wordsmith
A bold and punchy Last Word variation, Wordsmith combines robust Jamaican-style rum, vibrant green Chartreuse, tart lime, and smooth maraschino liqueur.
12. First Word
To answer the Chartreuse shortage, the First Word cocktail is a bittersweet vermouth riff on the Last Word. It’s made with gin, maraschino liqueur, dry vermouth, lime juice, and bittersweet orange-red aperitivo.
