Classics | Equal Parts | Gin | Recipes
Last Word
Flavor Profile: Herbal, tart, bold, classic
The Last Word is a Prohibition-era cocktail born at the Detroit Athletic Club in 1915. This vibrant green drink disappeared for decades before resurfacing in the early 2000s to become a darling of the craft cocktail revival.
Its equal parts recipe makes it approachable, but the flavor is anything but simple. Green Chartreuse brings bold herbal notes, balanced by gin’s botanicals, maraschino’s cherry-almond sweetness, and lime’s zesty kick. It’s sharp, punchy, and unforgettable — the cocktail that launched a thousand riffs.
Last Word
First served at the Detroit Athletic Club around 1915, the Last Word is the quintessential equal-parts cocktail — and the blueprint for countless modern riffs. Gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice combine for a bold, herbal, sweet-sour punch that’s perfectly balanced and endlessly iconic. Lost for decades, the cocktail reemerged during the craft revival and remains a bartender favorite to this day.
Ingredients
- 0.75 oz Green Chartreuse
- 0.75 oz Gin
- 0.75 oz Maraschino Liqueur
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard until well chilled.
- Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
Notes
A true pre-Prohibition classic that found new life during the modern cocktail renaissance. While pricey to stock, its punchy, botanical payoff makes it a staple in any serious cocktail collection.
If you enjoy the Last Word, try the Naked & Famous (a smoky twist) or the Monologue (a bold, citrusy riff).
