Last Word Cocktail

Turn your kitchen into a speakeasy with this simple cocktail. The Last Word is a gin-based IBA (International Bartender’s Association)-recognized drink that was first developed in the 1920s. It’s sharp, sour, and slightly sweet, making it perfect for a cocktail aficionado. Luckily, you don’t have to be an expert bartender to make this classic because it's simple enough to memorize. It only requires 4 ingredients—gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice with one equal part each.

The classic drink has only 3/4 ounce of each ingredient, but in the interest of getting more kick out of one glass, I upped it to 1 ounce. That combo is shaken over ice, strained into a chilled coupe, and garnished with maraschino cherries and a lime wedge. Be sure to shake for at least 30 seconds! The small amount of melted ice is like a secret fifth ingredient that will mellow out the aggressive herbal notes in the chartreuse and the juniper in the gin. You can also go one step further and chill your glasses for about 30 minutes before serving.

Speaking of gin, opt for a London dry gin that isn’t super-juniper-forward, so it doesn’t drown out the flavors in the chartreuse and maraschino liqueur. If you’re looking for more refreshing and classic gin drinks, try a citrusy salty dog or a gin rickey.

Did you try this cocktail? Let us know how it went in the comments!