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Last Word
Traditionally made with equal parts gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice but, like like many others, (when using a 40%-43% alc./vol...
Alex Grieb
18th June 2023 at 20:00
Echoing some other comments, I feel that a classic cocktail such as this should be listed with the classic 1:1:1:1 ratio, even if you, as an expert, prefer as different ratio, which can be added to the review of to a seperate "(Diffords Version)" recipe. I do prefer your ratio though, thanks for improving this classic cocktail!
4th June 2023 at 23:01
Just as an FYI in these trying time, Genepy fills in fairly nicely in this one.
9th January 2024 at 02:29
I managed to snag a bottle of GC again and couldn’t be happier. Not a big fan of Beefeater, so I made with Aviation instead. It was sublime.
16th June 2023 at 02:14
Great suggestion Steve. I recently ran out of Genepy and have been using Liquore Strega as an effective Chartreuse substitute.
8th May 2023 at 02:57
A bit confused… the Last Word is known as one of the quintessential equal parts cocktails. So… this is not a classic Last Word. It’s a variant. Which is fine… I actually just made both this recipe and the equal parts version and am sipping them side-by-side. I’m honestly not sure which one I like better. But… that’s not the point. This should have some indicator that the classic recipe as accepted as standard has been tweaked. Like “Difford’s recipe”? But nothing even mentions the tweak.
8th May 2023 at 07:20
This was explained in history via link but you make a good point so I have moved to above and added a note about the alcohol strength of gin used.
29th March 2023 at 01:28
I multiply the proportions by 1.5 when I make this: it makes it easier to measure, and gives me more delicious drink to enjoy! :)
2nd February 2023 at 23:37
I like it better all equal parts, 3/4 ounce each.
25th January 2023 at 16:59
I have a Bardinet Maraschino and I feel it’s overpowering in this cocktail. Anybody have any experience with it? I want to know if it’s worth picking up some Luxardo or if maybe I just don’t like maraschino.
11th December 2023 at 20:56
I mixed it with Bardinet, then I enjoyed it with Luxardo in The Pharmacy, Málaga. The difference is enormous in favour of Luxardo. This must be one of the best cocktails I've ever tasted.
16th February 2023 at 18:29
Luxardo is worth the investment! Out of interest, I just tried with both 10ml (1/3oz) and 15ml (1/2oz) of maraschino (both versions without the addition of sugar). With 10ml I found thin and far from being a last word. The 15ml version was OK but I much prefer it with 20ml.
15th January 2023 at 21:24
absolute masterpiece
8th December 2022 at 23:18
I tried this with Sipsmith VJOP and thought it more balanced, attenuating the sharpness of the lime.
30th November 2022 at 22:22
I made this with Tanqueray dry gin, Green Chartreuse, Lazzaroni Maraschino liqueur, and Lime juice. Garnished with Amarena Fabbri mini amarena cherries.
18th November 2022 at 18:55
If you don't have Chartreuse, St. Germain works very nicely in this cocktail also.
23rd October 2022 at 20:36
If you use VEP Charteuse, Maraschino Perla dry, and perhaps Nolets reserve gin would you do equal parts or still stick with your recipe? I have tried it both ways and equal parts the chartreuse VEP comes through better it is entirely a different and outstanding cocktail. Curious on your thoughts? I like your recipe better with regular chartreuse but am torn between the two when using the VEP and Perla Dry Luxardo.
24th October 2022 at 08:18
Sadly, I don't have VEP Chartreuse or Nolet's reserve to experiment with. Take a lot to move me from my tried and tested formulation for 'standard issue' products.
7th October 2022 at 20:45
Steve Harley here comes the sun playing in the back ground
This fine cocktail
Friday at last ?
This fine cocktail
Friday at last ?
4th September 2022 at 23:07
A fantastic drink as written, and a great template for a myriad variations. My latest experiment led me to replace the maraschino with ginger liqueur and the Chartreuse with Genepy, and I was pretty pleased with the results.
28th July 2022 at 07:52
There is a reason this is a classic. I find this is the drink that converts people to Green Chartreuse. It's such a great combo of ingredients and all it's variants are amazing.
10th June 2022 at 21:16
What a wonderful combination! I must say I like this mix better than the usual equal parts. But I think this drink and it’s many variations is why I always have a bottle of Chartreuse on the shelf.
29th March 2022 at 11:25
Wow amazing! I did Not think I liked chartreuse...but in this, whoa!
4th March 2022 at 20:34
This is one of my absolute favorite cocktails! Thanks so much for the recipe, and at some point, I'll have to try some of the riffs on it. As of now, I can't get myself to stop making this version instead of experimenting!
20th November 2021 at 01:50
I had dinner in Savannah at the Kimpton. The bartender made his version of this with Respasado tequila. I much preferred his version as I am not a gin connoisseur.
20th November 2021 at 08:15
I agree. Great with tequila. There are numerous established riffs on the Last Word on this site, including "Bird is the Word No.1" with tequila, and "Closing Argument" with mezcal.
16th October 2021 at 00:29
This is unbelievable. Everything blends and balances to well together. Going on my favourites.
4th October 2021 at 16:01
I am no Luxardo fan, but in this cocktail it fits really perfect. I used the exact measures, which worked very good.
11th September 2021 at 16:15
Adding water is good - the Chartreuse sings thru.
1st September 2021 at 16:26
For those not a fan of Maraschino, worth a mention is the “Spring Feeling” from The Savoy Cocktail Book 1930. 1/4 lemon juice, 1/4 Green Chartreuse, 1/2 Plymouth Gin.
8th January 2022 at 17:13
Thanks Ant. I've added a link to the Spring Feeling under variant above.
7th January 2022 at 22:52
I've also had this with champagne instead of maraschino (used prosecco) which was very good!
1st August 2021 at 20:23
Tried this spec last night with Avation gin and it was delightful!
9th July 2021 at 21:20
Love this! But I have to do 1.5 of the ingredients to make a full Coupe glass. I guess I love it a little too much!
3rd July 2021 at 01:19
Awesome. Our limes in Alabama are more intense and we used 1/2 of the prescription above. We used Bombay Saphire gin in this drink as other spirts are TOP Shelf. That said our go to gin is pinnacle Gin. We find Pinnacle Gin is best as a mixer in cocktails.
12th May 2021 at 22:48
too much for me
10th May 2021 at 22:58
Ok tried as prescribed. A little too intense. Increased the Gin to 1.75 oz. dropped the lime juice to .5 oz. left the lime skin only twist in with the cherry nested in a bit of the cherry juice. Very pretty! Great taste and presentation. TOP Shelf !
21st April 2021 at 14:11
I’ve yet to try the version here, but made the traditional version for the first time last night and enjoyed it tremendously. Will try this version next time.
19th March 2021 at 23:24
Absolutely an improvement! I tried your tweak with the “French” version, using a 59% Père Labat rhum agricole instead of gin. A revelation! (that might require you’re already into rhum agricole though).
13th March 2021 at 20:37
Many thanks for tweaking the balance Mr Difford - it would be too sweet without that gin oomph. This combination? Utter heaven ❤️
14th March 2021 at 09:48
Thanks Sally. It is tasty!