Who doesn’t love to have the last word?? I’m slowly but surely working my way through many of the classic gin cocktails, and was super excited to finally try a Last Word cocktail after getting my hands on some maraschino liqueur.
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At first I kind of felt like I was squeezing in one last summer cocktail and yet…it’s not really?
The strong herbaceous notes make this perfect for someone who’s looking for boozy and interesting, that doesn’t lean toward fruitier flavor palettes, and yet is a bit more refreshing than the standard fall bourbon cocktail.
What is a Last Word cocktail?
As with many of my favorites, it’s a Prohibition-era gin cocktail that has recently enjoyed a renaissance. It’s equal parts Luxardo maraschino cherry liqueur, green chartreuse, gin, and fresh lime juice. The maraschino liqueur and chartreuse both give a pungent, punchy smell and flavor.
The Last Word also has a mesmerizing pale green color that almost goes neon in some lights. I like to garnish mine with a Luxardo cherry or Amarena cherry.
I add a tiny bit of simple syrup just for personal taste preference, about 1/4 ounce…to me it just takes the edge off a tad.
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Making the Last Word is super easy as long as you have the ingredients. I’d had green chartreuse for a while (it features in the Verdant Lady, one of my summer cocktail obsessions), but didn’t pick up Luxardo’s maraschino cherry liqueur til recently.
Then you just want a good gin (I like a good London Dry one) and fresh lime juice, plus I throw in a tiny bit of simple syrup.
Put in a cocktail shaker with a bunch of ice and shake for about 15 seconds.
Strain into a cute coupe glass or Nick & Nora glass, and garnish with an Amarena cherry (or Luxardo or bourbon cherry). Side note, aren’t my little metal cocktail sticks adorable?!
If you’re in the mood for something totally different, try having the “Last Word”!
Other boozy libations you’ll love:
- A Classic “Army and Navy” Gin Cocktail
- Bourbon Milk Punch Cocktail
- Orange Amaretto White Russian Cocktail
- Rye Port Manhattan Cocktail
- French Gimlet with Gin
“Last Word” Cocktail Recipe (with Gin)
The recipe calls for equal parts of the main ingredients, so you can scale up or down as needed
- 1 ounces of good gin (I like a London Dry)
- 1 ounces of fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounces of green chartreuse
- 1 ounces of Luxardo maraschino cherry liqueur
- Optional: ~1/4 ounce of simple syrup
- Garnish: Amarena cherry (or Luxardo or bourbon cherry)
Put all the ingredients (minus garnish) in a cocktail shaker with a bunch of ice and shake for about 15 seconds.
Strain into a cute coupe glass or Nick & Nora glass, and garnish with an Amarena cherry (or Luxardo or bourbon cherry).
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The "Last Word" Cocktail: A Classic Gin Drink
The "Last Word" cocktail is a classic Prohibition-era gin drink made with (among other things) Luxardo maraschino cherry liqueur...it's complex, boozy, & pungent, yet still refreshing. Perfect for those transitional seasons or when you want something a bit different.
Ingredients
- 1 ounces of good gin (I like a London Dry)
- 1 ounces of fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1 ounces of green chartreuse
- 1 ounces of Luxardo maraschino cherry liqueur
- Optional: ~1/4 ounce of simple syrup
- Garnish: Amarena cherry (or Luxardo or bourbon cherry)
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients (minus garnish) in a cocktail shaker with a bunch of ice and shake for about 15 seconds.
- Strain into a cute coupe glass or Nick & Nora glass, and garnish with an Amarena cherry (or Luxardo or bourbon cherry).
Notes
The recipe calls for equal parts of the main ingredients, so you can scale up or down as needed
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