Equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice make up The Last Word, a Prohibition-era drink shaken and strained into a cocktail glass. The genuinely equal-parts formula yields a result far more harmonious than its unusual ingredient list implies: gin's botanicals, Chartreuse's herbal density, the cherry-almond note of maraschino, and fresh lime resolve into a single, layered whole. Near 25 percent ABV and herbal-citrus in character, it ranks among the most celebrated rediscoveries of the craft cocktail renaissance, having returned to prominence decades after its original obscurity.
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The Last Word
Last Word
Bahan
- Green Chartreuse 1 oz
- maraschino liqueur 1 oz
- Lime juice 1 oz
- Gin 1 oz
Petunjuk
Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
The Last Word is a Prohibition-era classic made with equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice — a genuine exercise in equal-parts balance that produces a cocktail far more harmonious than its unusual ingredient list might suggest. The combination of gin's botanicals, Chartreuse's herbal complexity, maraschino's cherry-almond sweetness, and fresh lime creates a drink of remarkable depth. It is considered one of the great rediscovered classics of the craft cocktail renaissance.
History & Origins
The Last Word was created at the Detroit Athletic Club around 1915, during Prohibition, and attributed to a vaudeville performer named Frank Fogarty. The drink nearly vanished entirely until Seattle bartender Murray Stenson revived it at the Zig Zag Café in the early 2000s, sparking a global rediscovery by craft bartenders. Its equal-parts format became a template for a subsequent generation of 'Chartreuse cocktails' and inspired numerous variations.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Intense herbal and green Chartreuse complexity — pine, mint, and floral — mingling with gin's juniper, maraschino's cherry, and fresh lime citrus. Palate: Perfectly balanced and complex, with each ingredient contributing equally; Chartreuse provides herbal depth, maraschino adds sweetness and cherry nuance, gin supplies botanical structure, and lime provides acidity that ties everything together. Finish: Long, herbal, and dry with lingering Chartreuse and a clean citrus fade.
Pro Tip
Use freshly squeezed lime juice — it is non-negotiable for achieving the balance on which this cocktail depends — and measure all four ingredients precisely.
Teknik yang Digunakan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in The Last Word cocktail?
The Last Word is made with equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice — a genuine equal-parts cocktail that produces a remarkably harmonious result. The four ingredients are shaken with ice and strained into a cocktail glass.
What is the origin of The Last Word cocktail?
The Last Word originated at the Detroit Athletic Club during Prohibition and is believed to date from around 1916, when it was reportedly performed by vaudeville entertainer Frank Fogarty. It largely disappeared after Prohibition and was rediscovered by bartender Murray Stenson at Zig Zag Cafe in Seattle in the 2000s, becoming a cornerstone of the craft cocktail renaissance.
Why is The Last Word considered a benchmark cocktail?
The Last Word is considered a benchmark because its unusual equal-parts formula — combining a botanical spirit, a 130-herb liqueur, a cherry-almond liqueur, and citrus — produces a cocktail far more balanced and complex than its ingredients might individually suggest. Its structure has inspired numerous riffs and variations, making it a touchstone for creative bartenders.
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