Classic Last Word Cocktail

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfectly balanced: Equal portions make the recipe easy to remember while balancing strong, sweet, herbal, and sour flavors.
• Remarkably aromatic: Green Chartreuse brings layers of herbs and spice, while maraschino adds floral cherry and almond notes.
• Fast to prepare: The cocktail is mixed, chilled, and ready to enjoy in just 5 minutes.
• Elegant at home: Its pale green-gold color and jewel-like cherry garnish make it feel special with very little effort.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 fresh lime
• Dairy: None required
• Pantry: London dry gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, brandied cocktail cherries, and ice

Full Ingredients

For the Cocktail

• 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml) London dry gin
• 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml) Green Chartreuse
• 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml) maraschino liqueur, preferably Luxardo
• 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice, strained to remove seeds and excess pulp
• 1 1/2 cups ice cubes, for shaking

For Chilling and Garnishing

• 1 cup ice cubes, for chilling the serving glass
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) cold water, for chilling the serving glass
• 1 brandied cocktail cherry, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the serving glass

Fill a 5- to 6-fluid-ounce coupe or Nick and Nora glass with 1 cup of ice, then add 1/2 cup (120 ml) cold water. Let the glass chill for exactly 3 minutes while you prepare the cocktail. A properly chilled glass helps keep the finished drink close to its ideal serving temperature of 39°F (4°C).

Step 2: Squeeze and measure the lime juice

Cut a fresh lime in half and squeeze it just before mixing. Strain out seeds and large pieces of pulp, then measure exactly 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml). Fresh juice is important because bottled lime juice can make this delicate equal-parts cocktail taste dull or overly sharp.

Step 3: Measure the spirits and liqueurs

Pour 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml) each of London dry gin, Green Chartreuse, and maraschino liqueur into a cocktail shaker. Add the measured lime juice. Precise measuring keeps the Last Word balanced: the gin provides structure, Green Chartreuse supplies intense herbal character, maraschino rounds the drink with floral sweetness, and lime adds a clean tart finish.

Step 4: Add ice and shake

Add 1 1/2 cups of ice cubes to the shaker. Seal it tightly and shake as vigorously as possible for exactly 15 seconds. This rapidly chills the drink to approximately 39°F (4°C), adds the right amount of dilution, and creates a smooth, lightly aerated texture.

Step 5: Double-strain the cocktail

Discard the ice water from the chilled glass and shake out any remaining water. Pour the cocktail through the shaker strainer and a small fine-mesh strainer into the glass. Double-straining catches tiny ice chips and lime pulp, giving the drink a polished, silky finish.

Step 6: Garnish and serve

Place 1 brandied cocktail cherry on a cocktail pick and rest it across the rim, or carefully drop it into the glass. Serve the Last Word immediately while it is thoroughly chilled and its herbal, floral, and citrus aromas are at their brightest.

Pro Tips

• Measure carefully: This cocktail depends on true equal parts, so use a jigger rather than estimating the pours.
• Use the correct maraschino: Maraschino liqueur is a clear, dry cherry liqueur with floral and almond-like notes. It is not the red syrup from a jar of standard maraschino cherries.
• Choose a crisp gin: A juniper-forward London dry gin stands up well to the powerful herbs in Green Chartreuse.
• Use plenty of firm ice: Large, fresh ice cubes chill the cocktail efficiently without adding stale freezer flavors or excessive water.
• Serve without ice: The Last Word is shaken with ice but strained into a stemmed glass so it remains cold without becoming overly diluted.

Variations

• Final Ward: Replace the gin with 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml) rye whiskey and replace the lime juice with 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml) fresh lemon juice.
• Mezcal Last Word: Replace the gin with 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml) mezcal for a smoky flavor that contrasts with the herbal liqueur and tart lime.
• Batch for eight: Combine 6 fluid ounces (177 ml) each of gin, Green Chartreuse, and maraschino liqueur. Refrigerate, then shake each serving with 3/4 fluid ounce (22 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice and 1 1/2 cups ice.

Storage & Make-Ahead

The finished cocktail is best served immediately and should not be stored after shaking because its fresh citrus flavor and aerated texture fade quickly. To prepare ahead, combine the gin, Green Chartreuse, and maraschino liqueur in a sealed glass bottle and refrigerate at 40°F (4°C) or below for up to 1 month. Add freshly squeezed lime juice only when you are ready to shake and serve. Lime juice may be squeezed and refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 12 hours, although juice used immediately will have the brightest flavor. Never store the cocktail with ice, as it will become excessively diluted.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 210 kcal | Carbs: 15g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 13g | Sodium: 4mg | Cholesterol: 0mg