What does a Last Word taste like?
A Last Word tastes intensely herbal, tangy and a little sweet: equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime, shaken into a pale green, punchy sour.
Last Word
herbal, tangy, pale green
The Last Word is a Prohibition-era cocktail that came back in a big way: equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and fresh lime, shaken and served up. Green Chartreuse is a French herbal liqueur made by monks, and it dominates, tasting like a garden of mint, pine, anise and honey. The maraschino adds a floral, nutty sweetness, the lime keeps it sharp, and the gin ties it together. It's bold, sweet-tart and hits harder than its size, since Chartreuse is a strong liqueur.
Where you’ll see it
On craft cocktail menus, served up in a coupe, usually with no garnish or a cherry. Riffs swap the gin for mezcal or rye, like the Naked and Famous family of equal-parts drinks.
Order it if you love herbal flavors and want something sweet, sour and bold.
Quick questions
- What does green Chartreuse taste like?
- Very herbal: mint, pine, anise and a honeyed sweetness, with a strong alcohol warmth. It is about 55% alcohol, so a little goes a long way.
- Is a Last Word sweet?
- A bit. Both liqueurs are sweet, but equal parts lime balances them, so it lands sweet-tart rather than sugary.