20 best variations on the Last Word cocktail

Words by Simon Difford

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Both the Last Word's name and the simplicity of its traditionally equal parts recipe lend themselves to adaptation. It is also very much a bartenders' cult cocktail with signature riffs on the classic setting bartenders apart.

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Closing Argument
With: Mezcal, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A mezcal-based Last Word. It works! End of argument.

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Division Bell
With: Mezcal, Italian red aperitivo, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A mezcal-inspired variation with a refreshing, spirit-forward flavour...

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Dublin Minstrel
With: Irish whiskey, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A review on the classic, substituting Irish whiskey for gin. Named after Frank Fogarty, a vaudeville performed known as the Dublin Minstrel.

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Dutch Word
With: Genever oude, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A genever-based variation on the classic Last Word cocktail.

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Final Ward
With: Rye whiskey, Green Chartreuse, maraschino and lemon juice.
We say: In this twist, whiskey replaces the gin, and Mr Ward switches citrus fruits from lime to lemon.

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First Word
With: Dry gin, maraschino liqueur, dry vermouth, lime juice and Italian red aperitivo.
We say: One of the first riff to emerge from the Chartreuse shortage...

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Last Palabra
With: Tequila, Green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, lavender sugar syrup, lime juice and lavender bitters.
We say: Tequila replaces gin in this riff on the classic, with the amount of maraschino slightly reduced to accommodate the introduction of lavender syrup, which in turn is balanced by a dash of lavender bitters.

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Latest Word
With: Equal parts genever, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A Last Word made with genever in place of London dry gin.

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Loose Talk
With: Rye whiskey, Suze, Yellow Chartreuse, lemon juice, lime juice, maraschino liqueur and Benedictine D.O.M.
We say: A boozy, bittersweet and aromatic riff.

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Monte Cassino
With: Equal parts rye, Yellow Chartreuse, Benedictine and lemon juice.
We say: The robust flavours of rye combine harmoniously with the other ingredients.

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Naked & Famous
With: Equal parts mezcal, Italian red aperitivo, Yellow Chartreuse, and lime juice.
We say: Mezcal adds earthy smoky complexity to this bittersweet, citrusy, fresh salmon pink aperitivo.

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Neptune's Wrath
With: Gin, absinthe, Green Chartreuse, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and egg white.
We say: Egg white smooths the way for a slug of absinthe...

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Next To Last Word
With: Equal parts gin, elderflower liqueur, maraschino liqueur and lemon juice.
We say: A floral riff

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Other Word
With: Mezcal, lime juice, Yellow Chartreuse, agave syrup and maraschino liqueur.
We say: Mezcal dominates in this Californian riff.

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Paper Plane
With: Bourbon, amaro, bitter aperitivo, and lemon juice.
We say: Bittersweet with underlying bourbon character and lemon zestiness.

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The Bird is the Word No.1
With: Tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, apricot brandy liqueur and lemon juice.
We say: To quote Fraser Campbell, the drink's creator, "influenced primarily by "The Last Word" with hints of "Yellow Parrot ...and a tequila base."

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The Bird is the Word No.2
With: Grappa, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, lime juice and chocolate bitters.
We say: A grappa-based Last Word by way of Denmark.

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The Symphony
With: gin, maraschino liqueur, Green chartreuse, Islay Scotch single whisky and lemon juice.
We say: A boozy riff on the Last Word made more interesting by subtle notes of peated Islay whisky.

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Ultima Palabra
With: Mezcal, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, pineapple juice, and lime juice.
We say: Named after the direct Spanish translation of Last Word as befits the use of mezcal in place of gin...

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Wordsmith
With: Equal parts rum, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: Punchy pot-still rum with the equally powerful notes of Green Chartreuse supported by Maraschino liqueur with lime zestiness.

More Last Words

Click names for recipes:

The Last Word

Ginger Last Word

Gospel Sharp

L'Ultima Parola (by David Wondrich)

Le Premier Word

Last Flight

Last Lap

Last Laugh

Last Of The Oaxacans

Marvin's Last Word

Mon Dernier Mot (My Last Word)

Oh My Word

Rose Noble

Unspoken Word

Very Last Word

Widow's Word

Word By Word

Written Word

A Quiet Word

Yes Dear!

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