Last Word

What is Last Word?

The Last Word is one of the most celebrated Prohibition-era cocktails in American bar history, with a precisely documented origin at the Detroit Athletic Club around 1916. The cocktail was reportedly created by an unknown bartender at the elite Detroit private club during the early Prohibition era, and became a signature drink of Detroit's cocktail culture through the 1920s. The Last Word's most influential moment came through its inclusion in Ted Saucier's 1951 cocktail book "Bottoms Up," which formally documented the recipe for future generations. Despite this documentation, the Last Word fell into complete obscurity for over five decades and was virtually forgotten until 2004, when Seattle bartender Murray Stenson at the Zig Zag Café rediscovered the recipe in Saucier's book and reintroduced it to modern American drinkers. Stenson's revival became one of the most influential moments in the craft cocktail renaissance of the 2000s, and the Last Word has since become one of the defining cocktails of contemporary craft bartending worldwide. The cocktail's equal-parts formula (3/4 oz each of gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice) makes it one of the easiest classic cocktails to memorize. It belongs to the same family of equal-parts cocktails as the Negroni (1919), the Corpse Reviver #2, the Paper Plane, and the Naked and Famous.

Don't forget to see what other drinks you can make with the ingredients you already have in your bar.

Taste profile

The Last Word is bright, herbal, and remarkably balanced with a sophisticated flavor profile that genuinely earns its status as one of the most respected classic cocktails. Green Chartreuse leads the palate with its extraordinarily complex herbal character: the iconic French liqueur produced by Carthusian monks at the Grande Chartreuse monastery since 1737 uses a secret 130-herb-and-plant recipe that creates flavor complexity no other liqueur can replicate. The distinctive notes of anise, mint, juniper, sage, and dozens of other botanicals define the cocktail's identity. Maraschino liqueur contributes its distinctive cherry-and-almond character: made from Marasca cherries in Croatia (Luxardo has been producing the reference standard since 1821), the liqueur provides marzipan complexity, subtle floral notes, and a delicate sweetness that ties the herbal and citrus elements together. Gin adds essential botanical structure with juniper, citrus peel, and coriander notes that create the spirit foundation the cocktail is built around. Fresh lime juice delivers sharp citrus acidity that prevents the herbal and cherry sweetness from becoming overwhelming and creates the productive tension that makes each sip refreshing rather than heavy. The combined flavor drinks like a masterclass in cocktail balance: herbal, floral, citrus-bright, and unmistakably sophisticated.

Serving suggestions

Green Chartreuse is genuinely non-negotiable for the authentic Last Word: substitutes like Yellow Chartreuse (which is milder and sweeter) or generic herbal liqueurs produce noticeably different results that lack the essential character of Green Chartreuse's 55% ABV, 130-herb-and-plant complexity. For gin, choose a London dry style such as Tanqueray, Beefeater, or Bombay Sapphire for the most authentic juniper-forward result, or try Plymouth Gin (which many bartenders consider ideal for this cocktail because of its subtle earthiness that pairs beautifully with the Chartreuse). For maraschino liqueur, use Luxardo Maraschino: this is the iconic Croatian brand that has set the standard since 1821, and budget alternatives produce noticeably less complex results. Fresh-squeezed lime juice is essential rather than bottled: in an equal-parts cocktail where each ingredient contributes 25 percent of the volume, the citrus quality directly defines the finished drink. Shake vigorously with a full load of ice for 10 to 15 seconds to properly chill and slightly aerate the cocktail. Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass to remove any small ice fragments. Garnish with a Luxardo maraschino cherry dropped into the glass. For a spirit-forward variation, try the Naked and Famous (equal parts mezcal, Yellow Chartreuse, Aperol, lime juice) which is inspired by the Last Word structure.

Why You'll Love It?

Ingredients for Last Word

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Step‑by‑Step Instructions

1. Fill a mixing glass or cocktail shaker with fresh ice cubes to properly chill the ingredients.
2. Add Gin, Green Chartreuse, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, and fresh-squeezed lime juice.
3. Shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds to properly chill, dilute, and integrate all four ingredients into a cohesive cocktail.
4. Double-strain through a fine mesh strainer (in addition to the shaker's built-in strainer) into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass to remove any small ice fragments and produce a silky clean finished drink.
5. Garnish with a single Luxardo maraschino cherry dropped into the glass. Serve immediately while ice-cold.