Last Word

3⁄4 oz Gin
3⁄4 oz Maraschino Liqueur
3⁄4 oz Herbal liqueur, Green Chartreuse
3⁄4 oz Lime juice
Instructions

Shake, strain, straight up, cocktail glass

Notes

Some prefer a bit more Gin. Herbal and funky, initially sweet, then sour. Very balanced. If made with Genever, it's a Latest Word.

History

Robert Hess (Drink Boy) suggest 1/2 oz each. I've scaled this up a bit to a 3 oz cocktail.

Cocktail summary
Posted by Dan on
Created by
Frank Fogarty, Detroit Athletic Club, Detroit
Year
1920
Is of
unknown authenticity
Reference

http://www.drinkboy.com/Cocktails/Recipe.aspx?itemid=94

Curator
5 stars
Average
5 stars
(144 ratings)
YieldsDrink
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From other users
  • A bit too sweet for me but wonderful nonetheless
  • Very sweet and very sour. Good drink. I have a feeling it may grow on me. Maybe try upping the gin a bit and lowering the rest next time. Or try on the *gasp* rocks. Easy to drink, for sure.
  • Don't change a thing. - ★★★★★
  • Like an aviation
  • 1 Oz gin, 2/3 all others Maraschino garnish
  • Very good, but not mind blowing.
  • Genever Bols 3 oz Luzardo 1 oz Lime juice 1.25oz Green Chartreuse 1.25 oz
  • Very nice complexity. Varying the proportions has a big impact on the final result. Gin is a nice base, chartreuse adds some complexity, maraschino sweetens it up, and the line keeps everything in check. — ★★★★
  • My version is actually 1oz of each. This is a great drink.
  • Gin up to 1 1/4 oz. Everything else down to 1/2 oz. Try chartreuse as both a rinse and an ingredient
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Comments

Substitute St. Germain for the Luxardo and you have 'La Lumiere'

I enjoy this drink quite a lot - I keep finding myself gravitating back to it when I have strayed for a while.

substitute lime for lemon and you have "Final Word"

Tried crème de cassis and Yellow Chartreuse instead of maraschino and green...

Equal parts, but added 1/3 more gin from old raj 110 abv + 1 dash boker's. Nice, a bit sweet, strong notes of cassis 

 

When it's all said and done, this is my number one.

Agree completely that the original has too much "bite". I recommend 1.5 parts gin with .5 parts of the other ingredients, then if you want more maraschino or chartreuse flavor add a little of those.

sgls commented on 2/20/2021:

Difford proportions are 1 fl oz gin, 2/3 fl oz each Green Charteuse, Maraschino and lime juice, plus 1/3 fl oz cold water if not using wet ice. A tasty cocktail that ties together two potent ingredients.

TrinSF commented on 2/20/2021:

I make it with Escubac (a juniper-free herbal spirit) instead of gin. We call it a Bac(k) Word in my house. 

 

Abigail Gullo makes a Last Laugh by straining this into a champagne flute and topping with cava, with a lime twist.

To mute the potent liqueurs and work more like a martini, I use 2 oz gin and a barspoon of each ingredient.