Last Word (cocktail)

The_Last_Word_cocktail_raised

Last Word

Cocktail
Type	Cocktail
Base spirit	Gin
Served	Straight up: chilled, without ice
Standard drinkware	Cocktail glass
Commonly used ingredients	3/4 oz gin 3/4 oz green Chartreuse 3/4 oz maraschino liqueur 3/4 oz lime juice
Preparation	Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

The Last Word is a gin-based cocktail that originated during the Prohibition era in the United States. It is known for its unique combination of flavors, balancing the herbal notes of green Chartreuse, the sweetness of maraschino liqueur, and the tartness of lime juice.

History

The Last Word was first developed at the Detroit Athletic Club in the early 1920s. It gained popularity during the Prohibition era, a time when the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages were banned in the United States. The cocktail was later featured in Ted Saucier's 1951 cocktail book, Bottoms Up!

Ingredients

The Last Word is made with equal parts of the following ingredients:

• Gin
• Green Chartreuse
• Maraschino liqueur
• Lime juice

Preparation

To prepare the Last Word, combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. The drink is typically served without a garnish, allowing the vibrant green color and complex flavors to stand out.

Variations

Several variations of the Last Word have emerged over the years, including:

• The Final Ward, which substitutes rye whiskey for gin and lemon juice for lime juice.
• The Paper Plane, which uses equal parts bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice.

See also

• List of cocktails
• Prohibition in the United States
• Cocktail shaker
• Gin