The Last Word

Cocktails are more than alcohol, they are an art.

The Last Word

Introduction

picture of an Last Word in a martini glass Few cocktails are as special as the Last Word. An equal-parts cocktail, the Last Word's combination of London dry gin, maraschino, lime juice and Green Chartreuse may sound strange and even repulsive on paper, but when these ingredients come together in the shaker, the result is something truly magical. This combination has been experimented with over the years, with the Last Word spawning several variations based on its classic build, but few can truly match the iconic quartet of the original.

Recipe

3/4 oz. London dry gin (I prefer Bombay London Dry or Beefeater).
3/4 Oz. Fresh-squeezed lime juice.
3/4 Oz. Maraschino liqueur.
3/4 Oz. Green Chartreuse.

Combine all ingredients in a shaker full of ice and shake vigorously for 70-100 times. This is a boozy cocktail, so ensuring a proper amount of dilution and that the ingredients all come together is paramount. Strain into a martini or coupe glass and drop one Luxardo cherry in the bottom. Sip and enjoy!

History of the Last Word

The Detroit Athletic Club, birthplace of the Last Word in 1916

The Last Word's history is quite a murky one. No bartender was ever attached to it as its original creator and cocktail historians only have the birthplace of the drink, the famous Detroit Athletic Club, where it was listed on the menu for only 35 cents, around $9-$10 in today's money.

At some point, the Last Word would leave the exclusive halls of the DAC when Vaudeville performer Frank Fogarty popularized the drink in New York City circa 1920. However, Prohibition would rear its ugly head, forcing the Last Word into the silence of the speakeasies and ultimately into obscurity.

In 1951, the Last Word appeared in print for the first time, courtesy of Waldorf-Astoria Hotel publicist Ted Saucier. The guide the Last Word appeared in, BOTTOMS UP, included over 200 drink recipes and in the decades that followed, the Last Word would become the most famous cocktail from this massive catalogue of cocktails.

During the craft cocktail revival of the mid-to-late 2000's, bartender Murray Stenson of the Zig Zag Café was reading through Saucier's book and would put the Last Word on his menu, a decision that led to the drink gaining newfound popularity and cementing it in the halls of classic cocktails. And yes, the DAC still serves the Last Word and it is a favorite among the members.