The Last Word Cocktail is an herbaceous concoction of gin, Chartreuse and maraschino liqueur with a lime twist!
In May of this year I learned two things: 1) that Chartreuse was not just a yellow-green color but also a famous, French liqueur that is composed of distilled alcohol aged with 130 herbs, plants and flowers. In fact, from a chicken and egg perspective, the drink came first and the color is named after it. 2) that when a friend who's also a food and drink pairing expert tells you that he's making one of your recipes, it pays to ask what he's drinking with it.
We were in Seattle for business, but managed to gain some cocktail enlightenment too. In a few short days, we discovered both The Boulevardier and another craft cocktail (with some clever name that I can't remember) that included Chartreuse. Being fans of gin (and homemade tonic water!) for it's bold botanical flavors, herbaceous Chartreuse was an instant hit.
It was May 27th, the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and, after a bit of research, we headed to the liquor store to buy The Last Word cocktail ingredients: Chartreuse, Luxardo Maraschino and Gin.
It was May 28th, Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and our friend Tom who happens to live 2,759 miles away sent me an e-mail letting me know that he'd enjoyed my post on Memorial Day Recipes and that he had farro cooling to make my Summer Farro Salad.
Me:
Very nice! Let me know how it goes and, of course, what you'll be drinking with it. 🙂
Tom:
I am getting ready to fix a Last Word, my absolute favorite cocktail. There are very few liquid concoctions that come close to this one!
Me:
OMG! That's the exact cocktail we're having today - just discovered Chartreuse and we've never had maraschino liquor before. Boy are we on the same wavelength!!
Tom:
That is pretty scary!
Chartreuse is a long time family favorite. Parents started drinking it in the early 50s. It is my mother’s absolute favorite. I smuggled a bottle in from France in 1972 at age 15 for her. I got a big hug… not real sure that would happen anymore.
There is also a Chartreuse that is rated as a V.E.P. Very hard to find and runs about $200 a bottle. I happen to have one in the basement. Lower in ALC at 108 proof, much more herbaceous (if you can believe that) and a much much thicker viscosity.I raise my glass to my two young friends on the other side of the country.
Tom even sent me a photo of the prize bottle.
Mixing up Last Word cocktails couldn't be simpler: equal parts of Chartreuse, Luxardo, Gin and fresh lime juice, shaken with ice then strained into a martini glass or champagne coup, served with a lime twist.
The long weekend coming up is a perfect time to treat yourself to this classic cocktail or maybe one of my other favorites: French 75 Cocktail, Rhubarb Cocktail, or a Peach Bellini. As for me, I'll be checking in with Tom to see what he's cooking and, of course, what he's pairing with it. I'm always up for more inspiration!
The Last Word Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce Luxardo marachino liqueur
- 1 ounce green Chartreuse
- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- lime twist for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add all drink ingredients except the twist. Shake vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds then strain into a martini glass or champagne coup.
- Garnish with lime twist.
This has to be one of my favorite cocktails of all time, it's truly outstanding. There are so many flavors going on that it's a kaleidescope on your tongue, and just heavenly perfection. The name "Last Word" suits this cocktail, the bar has been set high.
Thank you and well said, LavenderBee - it really is like an herbaceous 'kaleidoscope on your tongue"!
I am not a huge fan of cocktails because I do not like to mix different drinks. But after trying this one there will be no looking back. Thanks for sharing. I am sure my husband will love it too. What a unique name for the drink. looking forward to try more cocktails.
So glad to hear that, Aariv! Thank you!
I’m not a big fan of gin but this cocktail attract me. I love the name of this cocktail, and this looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing this.
My pleasure! Thanks, Sabrina!
oh wow gin is my husband's favorite. this would be great for a private night with him, a cocktail made by me will be the sweetest gift for his birthday. thank you for sharing this. xoxo
Wonderful! Thank you, Pat!
I would love to try this with vodka.
Not a gin lover, huh? 😉
i cook everything, made a lot of cakes but i've never ever made any cocktails. just looking for a good recipe with gin ( my favorite ) and i found it right here. thanks for sharing, Marissa. i'll make my first cocktail for my husband, hope he loves it. xD
That's great, Pat! I hope he loves it too!
i'm not a big fan of gin but my wife is. and i think nothing is sweeter than a cocktail made by me for our wedding anniversary. thanks for your recipe, it inspired me so much.
hope you have a nice day
What a nice note, David! Happy Anniversary!
This is a beautiful cocktail in appearance and I'm certain, flavor! I just realized I need to become more adventurous when it comes to cocktails...this needs to happen! Thank you for sharing! Pinned!
Thanks, Annie! Hooray for adventurous cocktails! If you try it, let me know what you think. xo
Oh my, this looks gorgeous! You are a master cocktail maker, Marissa! Seriously, I always come to your blog when I need a good cocktail recipe. I love the name of this drink too...I think that whatever conversation I'd be having with this drink would be my last word, 'cause I'm a weakling and would (blissfully) pass out after this! :p
awww, thanks Beeta! Get your cute self up here and I'll make you one.
Hi Marissa! I'm not a huge fan of gin (I'm more of a vodka gal) but Gary is. However with the flavors going on here I'm certainly game to try it! Have never seen or heard of Luxardo, will have to check next time we go the liquor store! Hope you and Keith had a relaxing and fun Labor Day weekend!
Hi Dorothy! I hope that you and Gary had a fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend too! You know I bet that you could use vodka in this and it would be delicious. It's one of those drinks where the Chartreuse is really the star.
What a fun cocktail! I definitely learned about Chartreuse today - I bet that herbaceous flavor is incredible! And I love it when friends are completely on-point with food and drink. <3 I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend, sweet friend!
Thanks so much, Faith. xo
Happy Labor Day, friend!!! I'm always up for a delicious cocktail and this one looks absolutely beautiful! Thanks for the 411 on Chartreuse! I enjoy a good cocktail education as much as I enjoy a cocktail itself! 😉 Unfortunately Drizly doesn't offer their services in our area, but I would CERTAINLY use them if they did!! I'll have to take myself to the liquor store and pick up the necessities for this beauty, because I could definitely use one (or three) of these right about now. 😉 Cheers!!
Come on over, Cheyeanne and I'll make you one (or three). 🙂 Cheers!
Happy Labor Day, I've never had Chartreuse, the liqueur, but I'm a huge fan of floral flavors and Gin. I just moved into a new apartment and am building my very own home bar, Chartreuse would be a great addition, thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Mary! I hope you try it - if you do, let me know how it goes.
If I'm ever looking for cocktail ideas, this is definitely where I come... and I always learn something!
I've never had a Chartreuse, but now I'll be sure to try it if ever I see it on a menu... or perhaps even make one for myself 🙂
Thank you so much, Helen! Do keep an eye out for Chartreuse - it's one of the most interesting liqueurs I've ever tasted - INTENSELY herbaceous. You and I seem to be on the same wavelength about food, so I bet we would be on cocktails too. 🙂
Happy Labor day Marissa!! I hope you have a wonderful one 😀 And I just had a cocktail with Chartreuse last night! What a coincidence! 😀
Thank you, Lorraine. 🙂 That is a coincidence! How funny...
Marissa,
I will be enjoying a Last Word this weekend. What a wonderful way to end the summer. The coincidence of us enjoying the same drink at the same time was carried all 2,759 miles on the aroma wavelength of 130+ herbs in Chartreuse. There are very few liquids that contain the magic in a bottle of Chartreuse.
My favorite way to enjoy this green elixir is by itself in cordial glass after being held for 10 minutes. The smells and taste explode! Come on Winter!
Happy Labor Day! “tchin tchin”
Happy Labor Day! “tchin tchin” 🙂
I'm lucky to have a friend like you!