Words by Simon Difford
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.
Closing Argument
With: Mezcal, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A mezcal-based Last Word. It works! End of argument.
Crop Top
With: Gin, amaro, pink grapefruit liqueur and lemon juice.
We say: A fresh and refreshing riff on the Paper Plane/Last Word.
Division Bell
With: Mezcal, Italian red aperitivo, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A mezcal-inspired variation with a refreshing, spirit-forward flavour...
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.
Dutch Word
With: Genever oude, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice.
We say: A genever-based variation on the classic Last Word cocktail.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
Next To Last Word
With: Equal parts gin, elderflower liqueur, maraschino liqueur and lemon juice.
We say: A floral riff
Other Word
With: Mezcal, lime juice, Yellow Chartreuse, agave syrup and maraschino liqueur.
We say: Mezcal dominates in this Californian riff.
Paper Plane
With: Bourbon, amaro, bitter aperitivo, and lemon juice.
We say: Bittersweet with underlying bourbon character and lemon zestiness.
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."
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.
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...
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.
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