Final Ward Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

A little sweet, a little spicy and featuring a nice, citrusy finish, the Final Ward is an interesting and elegant take on a historic drink.

Tonight’s cocktail is a modern-day riff on an old-school tipple. The Last Word was invented around the early 1900s at the Detroit Athletic Club, and featured gin as the base spirit, mixed with lime juice, maraschino liqueur and Green Chartreuse. Becoming very popular amongst the members of this exclusive establishment, the Last Word had the distinction of being the most expensive drink on their menu back then, around 35 cents.

During the 1920s, vaudeville actor Frank Fogarty started to tell others around the country about the beverage during his travels, and the Last Word became a favorite during the Prohibition years. Despite it being a well-liked drink, it soon began to struggle for survival over the coming decades, not being ordered much anymore at bars and taverns. Pretty soon, it was all but forgotten. But you can’t keep a good cocktail down, can you? In 2003, Seattle bartender Murray Stenson rediscovered the recipe and began to serve it at the Zig Zag Café, even adding it to their menu. It began to take off in the Pacific Northwest, and soon the recipe spread across the country, eventually making its way to New York City.

And it was in the Big Apple that tonight’s cocktail, inspired by the Last Word, was invented in 2006. Bartender Phil Ward took the gin and replaced it with rye whiskey, creating his own concoction, the Final Ward. Swapping the lime juice with lemon also gives Ward’s creation a sweeter, tart taste than the historic Last Word.

And thanks to this recipe honoring the past with a fresh twist, the sipping will continue long into the future.

What Is Chartreuse?

Bless the Carthusian monks of France for discovering the recipe for this liqueur, way back in 1605. Distilled and aged with a massive amount of herbs and other botanicals—around 130—the liqueur comes in both yellow and green varieties, and is known for getting better with age. Green Chartreuse, which is what our recipe uses, has minty, citrus notes and the bittersweet taste of tea on the finish.

What Is The Best Whiskey To Use In A Final Ward Cocktail?

We’ll go with a rye whiskey for our drink, which is spicy, a little sweet, and ends with some nice warmth after each sip. There is an abundance of ryes out there, and you might get a little overwhelmed when looking for a bottle to bring home. You can go very cheap, in terms of price, or very, very expensive. Don’t worry about that, though. You can find a great, reliable liquor that’s easy on your budget, and will be just as good as some of the more pricier drams. Bulleit, High West, Rittenhouse, Sazerac Straight Rye… it’s a long list, so don’t be afraid to ask your local bartender or liquor store clerk about what’s good.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Chill a coupe in your freezer for up to thirty minutes for an icy cold cocktail. If time is of the essence, fill the glass with ice as you prep your drink, then dump it out before pouring. Squeeze the oils of a lemon peel over your beverage and use the twist for garnish.

WHY DO YOU DOUBLE STRAIN A SHAKEN COCKTAIL?

This is to keep any little ice chips that might escape the shaker from getting into your drink, ensuring a silky smooth sip every time.

Similar Drinks To The Final Ward Cocktail

Chartreuse is an interesting liqueur, and was once considered a potion that encouraged long life. From the bright, citrus flavor of the green, to the mellow honeyed sweetness of the yellow variety, Chartreuse is a well-known and welcome ingredient in many popular recipes. Try a few of these out this weekend, and see what you like best.

• Naked and Famous – Yellow Chartreuse is featured in this glamorous tipple.
• Swamp Water – Bring some sexy 1970s vibes home with this Green Chartreuse drink.
• Love and Murder – Green Chartreuse, Campari, lime juice and simple syrup join forces to craft this delicious cocktail.
• Greenpoint – Named after my dad’s hometown, this Brooklyn riff gets a little help from some Yellow Chartreuse.