Uploaded September 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Here's how to make the formerly lost classic, the Last Word. This drink combines Gin, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino Liqueur and fresh Lime Juice to great effect. No garnish. Just straight up.
The drink originated from the Detroit Athletic Club. It's unclear who first made it or if the recipe had changed over the years, but it appeared on a menu as early as 1916. At that time—aside from bottle service—it was the most expensive item on the menu. It was brought to New York in the 1920's by a then famous star of vaudeville, Frank Fogerty. He was a the equivalent of a standup comedian. The recipe for the cocktail was finally printed in 1951 in the book, Bottoms Up!, by Ted Saucier. Saucier credited Fogerty as the source of the drink. But for decades, that book seemed to be the only source for the recipe.
The drink was revived by long-time Seattle-area bartender, Murray Stenson in 2004. He gave the drink its second wind and helped launch it into the craft cocktail consciousness. Seattle has since adopted the connection for their own. The pale green hue is the liquid symbol for the emerald city.
The Detroit Athletic Club has, since the drink's revival, started serving it again. But instead of making it with gin, they make it with a house-infused vodka. The idea is to simulate Prohibition-Era bathtub gin, but the drink pre-dates Prohibition and would've originally been made with real ingredients.
In any case, the gin I'm using is Plymouth. It's very similar to a London Dry. The original recipe called for "Dry Gin" and it most likely meant London Dry, but Plymouth also works well. However, London Dry would be the most accurate way to go.
Like all lime drinks, you definitely want to make sure to use fresh lime juice. Nothing else will do.
The strangest part about this drink is looking at it on paper for the first time, it seems like it wouldn't work. Gin and lime, fine, but two liqueurs appear as if they would clash. Not to mention that the recipe calls for equal parts. But it when the ingredients are brought together they defy all logic and work some serious magic.
Of course no one wants to leave well enough alone, so there have been several variations where the gin is swapped out for all kinds of spirits. Some of the variations work well, the Pete's Word comes to mind, but nothing really beats the original. It deserves the reputation it has. And you know out of all the variations which one will end up with the last word. It goes without saying. Enjoy!
Recipe:
0.75 oz Gin
0.75 oz Green Chartreuse
0.75 oz Maraschino Liqueur
0.75 oz fresh Lime Juice
Shake with ice. Double strain into a chilled glass.
Music:
The Answer by Auracle
via JinglePunks
Follow Us!
https://www.facebook.com/Distinguishe...
http://instagram.com/distinguishedspi...
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
pinterest.com/DistinguishedSp
Featured in this Episode:
Plymouth Gin
plymouthgin.com/gins/original
Green Chartreuse
http://www.chartreuse.fr/green-chartreuse;fiche;3;uk.html
Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
anchordistilling.com/brand/luxardo/#maraschino
Bar Tools:
Nick & Nora Glass
amzn.to/2cAeW5h
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
amzn.to/1Mlqj8z
Fine Mesh Strainer
amzn.to/1KDExWv
OXO SteeL Cocktail Shaker
amzn.to/1pJgEF0
Citrus Juicer (Lime)
amzn.to/1YKJ4u1
Cutting Board
amzn.to/1QgQTSW
Small Knife
amzn.to/1KDFQoc
BlenderBottle, 28 oz
amzn.to/1UvgKNy
Here's how to make the formerly lost classic, the Last Word. This drink combines Gin, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino Liqueur and fresh Lime Juice to great effect. No garnish. Just straight up.
The drink originated from the Detroit Athletic Club. It's unclear who first made it or if the recipe had changed over the years, but it appeared on a menu as early as 1916. At that time—aside from bottle service—it was the most expensive item on the menu. It was brought to New York in the 1920's by a then famous star of vaudeville, Frank Fogerty. He was a the equivalent of a standup comedian. The recipe for the cocktail was finally printed in 1951 in the book, Bottoms Up!, by Ted Saucier. Saucier credited Fogerty as the source of the drink. But for decades, that book seemed to be the only source for the recipe.
The drink was revived by long-time Seattle-area bartender, Murray Stenson in 2004. He gave the drink its second wind and helped launch it into the craft cocktail consciousness. Seattle has since adopted the connection for their own. The pale green hue is the liquid symbol for the emerald city.
The Detroit Athletic Club has, since the drink's revival, started serving it again. But instead of making it with gin, they make it with a house-infused vodka. The idea is to simulate Prohibition-Era bathtub gin, but the drink pre-dates Prohibition and would've originally been made with real ingredients.
In any case, the gin I'm using is Plymouth. It's very similar to a London Dry. The original recipe called for "Dry Gin" and it most likely meant London Dry, but Plymouth also works well. However, London Dry would be the most accurate way to go.
Like all lime drinks, you definitely want to make sure to use fresh lime juice. Nothing else will do.
The strangest part about this drink is looking at it on paper for the first time, it seems like it wouldn't work. Gin and lime, fine, but two liqueurs appear as if they would clash. Not to mention that the recipe calls for equal parts. But it when the ingredients are brought together they defy all logic and work some serious magic.
Of course no one wants to leave well enough alone, so there have been several variations where the gin is swapped out for all kinds of spirits. Some of the variations work well, the Pete's Word comes to mind, but nothing really beats the original. It deserves the reputation it has. And you know out of all the variations which one will end up with the last word. It goes without saying. Enjoy!
Recipe:
0.75 oz Gin
0.75 oz Green Chartreuse
0.75 oz Maraschino Liqueur
0.75 oz fresh Lime Juice
Shake with ice. Double strain into a chilled glass.
Music:
The Answer by Auracle
via JinglePunks
Follow Us!
https://www.facebook.com/Distinguishe...
http://instagram.com/distinguishedspi...
twitter.com/DistinguishedSp
pinterest.com/DistinguishedSp
Featured in this Episode:
Plymouth Gin
plymouthgin.com/gins/original
Green Chartreuse
http://www.chartreuse.fr/green-chartreuse;fiche;3;uk.html
Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
anchordistilling.com/brand/luxardo/#maraschino
Bar Tools:
Nick & Nora Glass
amzn.to/2cAeW5h
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
amzn.to/1Mlqj8z
Fine Mesh Strainer
amzn.to/1KDExWv
OXO SteeL Cocktail Shaker
amzn.to/1pJgEF0
Citrus Juicer (Lime)
amzn.to/1YKJ4u1
Cutting Board
amzn.to/1QgQTSW
Small Knife
amzn.to/1KDFQoc
BlenderBottle, 28 oz
amzn.to/1UvgKNy
