The pre-prohibition era of cocktails has gifted us many lovely and simple cocktails that continue to stand the test of time. The Last Word is a wonderful equal parts cocktail that was invented just before prohibition started, and was successful for a time, but later disappeared from the cocktail scene. However, the recent love and demand for chartreuse has resurrected this overlooked classic and it has quickly become a bartender’s favorite. Our take on the Last Word uses manzanilla de Sanlúcar in conjunction with gin, which provides some nice salinity that pops with the addition of lime juice and chartreuse. One sip and this fresh and herbaceous cocktail is sure to become a go-to in your cocktail arsenal.
COCKTAIL: LAST WORD
Full Ingredients list
- .75oz Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa
- .5oz Tanqueray 10 Gin
- .75oz Green Chartreuse
- .75oz Lime juice
- .25oz Luxardo Maraschino
- Garnish: Maraschino cherry
Recipe author: Steven Dragun
WHO INVENTED THE LAST WORD COCKTAIL?
Although the inventor is unknown, the origins of the Last Word date back to 1916 at the Detroit Athletic Club. Originating in 1887, the Detroit Athletic Club began as a clubhouse for young athletes. In 1913, the group reorganized and moved locations to a glamourous six-story clubhouse on Madison avenue, thanks to several prominent members of the Detroit automotive and industrial sectors. A famous vaudevillian actor named Frank Fogarty visited the DAC in December of 1916 and fell in love with the Last Word, that was on the menu at the time. He loved the drink so much that he asked for the recipe to take back with him to NYC, and had local bartenders make it for him. As the drink was slowly released into society, it started to take off. The Last Word continued to thrive after Prohibition and eventually landed in Ted Saucier’s 1951 cocktail manual Bottoms Up! However, the cocktail fell out of favor and was forgotten until it was resurrected in 2003 by Murray Stenson of Zig Zag Café in Seattle. The drink became a favorite amongst the regulars, eventually spreading to Portland, and then New York and beyond. The Detroit Athletic Club discovered the Last Word had taken off via a Seattle newspaper, and in 2009, they embraced the cocktail and returned it to the menu, and later added a rooftop lounge under the same name.
WHAT IS THE BEST GIN TO USE IN A LAST WORD COCKTAIL?
Any London Dry Gin is preferred when making a Last Word. The citrus notes from the gin complement the lime juice to create a sweet-tart effect that tantalizes the tastebuds.
WHAT GLASS IS A LAST WORD COCKTAIL SERVED IN?
The Last Word is traditionally served in a chilled martini or coupe glass.
WHY IS MANZANILLA PAPIRUSA THE BEST SHERRY TO PAIR WITH A LAST WORD COCKTAIL
Lustau’s Manzanilla Papirusa works well in the Last Word due to its high salinity. The added salt combined with the citrus from the gin and lime juice adds a refreshing crispness that satisfies the palate.
Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa is renowned for its crisp and briny profile, that dazzles the palate with a tangy ocean influenced salinity. This wine is aged in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, shaping its flavor and delivering a refreshing umami touch that harmonizes with the nutty undertones. A wine that perfectly rounds up the citrus and herbaceous notes.
HOW TO PREPARE A SIMPLE LAST WORD COCKTAIL COCKTAIL
1. Add all ingredients to a mixing tin.
2. Add ice, shake, and strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
FAQ
What is the best gin for the last word?
Any London Dry Gin will work nicely in the Last Word.
Where and when was the Last Word cocktail invented?
The Last Word was invented sometime in 1916 at the Detroit Athletic Club in Detroit, Michigan.
