Having an argument with yourself over what cocktail to drink? Let the Last Word decide.
You wouldn’t think that cocktails and athletics had anything in common. I’ve never seen an Olympic event where someone runs the 100-meter dash, and at the end has to shake up some Clover Clubs for the judges. Maybe that would work in the biathlon, but then again, nah. I’m sure some enterprising individual has thrown a few privately held “Alcohol Games”, but wow, that would be incredibly dangerous.
That being said, tonight’s cocktail, the Last Word, was actually born in an athletic club. The Detroit Athletic Club to be exact. The DAC is one of the most prestigious and opulent private social clubs in the United States. Located across from Detroit’s historic Music Hall, the Club is home to guest rooms, ballrooms, pools, gyms, restaurants and bars. And it was here in the 1910s, that the Last Word cocktail was created.
While the identity of the person who first mixed and served this recipe is lost to the mists of time, the DAC’s records indicate it was on their menu as early as 1916. At a cost of 35 cents (around ten dollars today), the Last Word was the most expensive cocktail they served at the time.
If you’ve ever enjoyed an Aviation, which is a similar gin-based drink, you’ll love the Last Word too. The ingredients are the same in both, except the Last Word uses Green Chartreuse in place of the crème de violette. So as the day winds down, make one of these and let it have the final say.
What is the Best Gin to Use in a Last Word?
Choosing the “best” gin for your Last Word is always down to a matter of personal taste. I have my favorite gins, you probably have yours. If not, and you need a starting place, pick a top-shelf bottle of London Dry. The juniper and citrus infusion pairs nicely with the minty pine of the Green Chartreuse and sweetness from the maraschino.
Ingredients
- 3/4 oz gin
- 3/4 oz Green Chartreuse
- 3/4 oz maraschino liqueur
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- Lime twist for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice.
- Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. This chills the ingredients and ensures they are thoroughly mixed.
- Strain from the shaker into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with a lime twist. Twist the peel over the drink, then drop it into the glass.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Sip this one slowly from a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with either a lime wheel or maraschino cherry.
You can pre-measure your gin and liqueurs before mixing and store them in a sealed container. Just keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to make your cocktail. Then, add the lime, ice, and give it a shake.
Each glass you drink will be around 187 calories. Remember, those numbers can add up if you’re knocking these back.
There’s a legend that tells of vaudevillian actor Frank Fogerty enjoying the Last Word so much he introduced the recipe to his friends in New York City, where he lived and performed. Being a monologist, the name of the cocktail was probably inspired by Fogerty’s profession. But no one knows for sure.
similar cocktails to the last word
Who doesn’t love a classic, historical tipple to make one feel connected to years gone by? If sitting in your comfiest chair and cracking open an old tome sounds like the perfect night in, you’ll need the proper drink to accompany you. The Last Word seems to have sparked an interest in drinks with a bit of a story and some decades behind them, so let Twist & Toast show you a few others that are sure to please.
- Aviation – I mentioned this classic drink earlier, now learn how to make it.
- Old Pal – Take a trip back to the 1920s with this smooth riff on the Negroni.
- Sazerac – Some claim this is the first cocktail, born in New Orleans.
- Daiquiri – Rum, lime and sugar come together to create one of Hemingway’s favorite drams.
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