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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: Campari Spritz, 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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”!