Last Word
A bright, herbal classic from the Prohibition era: equal parts gin, green herbal liqueur, maraschino, and fresh lime, shaken cold and served up. Sweet, sour, and aromatic in perfect tension.
History of Last Word
The Last Word is widely credited to the Detroit Athletic Club around 1915, though precise authorship is uncertain. It appeared in print in the mid-20th century, which helped preserve its equal-parts template for future bartenders. Its combination of gin, herbal liqueur, maraschino, and lime stood out even in an era rich with sours and daisies. The drink faded post-Prohibition as tastes shifted and key liqueurs became harder to source. It survived in recipe compilations, waiting for the right moment to return. Its structure was too elegant to disappear forever, and its notes of pine, herb, and citrus felt timeless when rediscovered. In the early 2000s it was revived by modern bartenders who championed classic recipes with fresh technique. Once back on menus, it spread quickly because the equal-parts build made it easy to memorise and replicate. Today, it is a definitive example of how archival recipes can thrive with contemporary precision.
Why the Last Word Works
Equal parts keep the flavours in tight balance: gin brings juniper and structure, herbal liqueur adds deep spice and alpine notes, maraschino supplies almond-cherry sweetness, and lime delivers bright acidity. A hard, short shake creates micro-aeration and the right dilution, softening edges without washing out character. Because two components are sweet and one is sour, the gin’s dryness steadies the profile. The lime’s acidity chisels through the sugar, while the herbal liqueur’s complexity adds length and a gentle grip. The maraschino contributes a delicate nutty finish that binds the whole. Serving it very cold in a small stemmed glass heightens aroma while keeping texture silky. Fine straining removes ice shards so the sip feels polished. The result is vivid, refreshing, and neatly structured from first nose to final echo.
Should You Mix Ahead?
The Last Word batches well because of its equal-parts build, but fresh lime is best added the day of service. For parties, pre-mix the spirits and liqueurs in a bottle and chill thoroughly. Add lime and shake to order to preserve brightness. If you must pre-dilute for speed, combine the full mix with 15 to 20 percent cold water, then refrigerate. This approximates shake dilution and lets you pour straight from the bottle into chilled coupes. Keep the batch very cold to maintain texture and aroma. Avoid batching more than 24 hours ahead once citrus is included, as the flavour dulls and the colour can brown. Always taste a small sample before serving to ensure the acidity and sweetness remain in balance. Store in the coldest part of the fridge or on ice.
Food & Snack Pairings
Salty, crisp snacks such as nuts, olives, and potato crisps highlight the drink’s acidity and cut its sweetness. Fresh goat’s cheese or a soft, tangy cheese complements the herbal notes without overwhelming them. Light charcuterie works well if not too smoky. Seafood is a natural partner: oysters, shrimp cocktail, and cured trout match the bright citrus and cleanse the palate. Herbal salads with fennel, celery, and green apple echo the drink’s alpine character. Avoid heavy cream sauces that can fight the citrus. Fried foods like tempura vegetables or chicken deliver a satisfying contrast to the sharp, aromatic profile. A squeeze of lemon on the food mirrors the lime in the glass. Finish with something clean and not too sweet, such as a simple almond biscuit.
How to Make Last Word
Chill a coupe thoroughly. Add gin, herbal liqueur, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice to a shaker. Fill with solid ice. Shake hard for about 10 to 12 seconds until the tin is frosty and the sound softens, signalling proper dilution. Fine strain into the chilled coupe to remove ice shards and pulp. Garnish with a single maraschino cherry or a thin lime coin. Serve immediately while very cold and aromatic. If scaling, keep your bottles and glassware deeply chilled.
When to Serve
Serve as an aperitif before dinner when a bright, appetite-whetting cocktail is called for. Its acidity and herbaceousness prepare the palate without tiring it. Early evening suits it best. It shines in spring and summer when fresh citrus and herbal aromas feel most at home. That said, its backbone is strong enough for year-round menus. Use it as a reset between richer courses. Bring it out at cocktail parties and small gatherings where a simple, impressive classic makes service easy. The equal-parts recipe is easy to remember and scale. Keep coupes chilled for swift rounds.
Common Mistakes
Using tired lime juice flattens the drink. Always juice fresh and fine strain to avoid pulp, which can muddy texture. Taste a test sip to confirm brightness before serving.
Overdiluting during an overly long shake washes out the herbal notes. Aim for a hard, short shake and strain immediately. Keep your ice large and cold to control melt.
Letting the glass warm or skipping the fine strain compromises polish. Chill the coupe in advance and double strain for a silky finish. Measure precisely; with equal parts, small errors show.
Recommended
Best gin for Last Word
Choose a juniper-led gin with crisp citrus and a dry finish. You need enough backbone to stand up to the herbal liqueur and sweet maraschino without getting lost. Avoid heavy sweetness or dominant exotic botanicals that can clash with the alpine profile.
Best amaro for Last Word
The drink traditionally relies on a vivid green herbal liqueur with strong alpine, spice, and floral notes. When selecting an amaro-like herbal liqueur for a variation, look for intensity, sweetness, and a persistent herbal length. The liqueur should be assertive enough to share equal billing with gin.
Taste Profile
Ingredients
Instructions
Chill and measure
Chill a coupe. Add gin, green herbal liqueur, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice to a shaker.
Shake hard
Fill the shaker with solid ice and shake vigorously until well chilled and slightly aerated, about 10–12 seconds.
Strain and garnish
Fine strain into the chilled coupe to remove ice shards. Garnish with a maraschino cherry or a thin lime coin.
Bartender Tips
Keep it very cold
Freeze your coupe and use large, fresh ice to achieve quick chill without excess melt. Temperature sharpens the drink’s edges and preserves aroma.
Mind the lime
Use freshly squeezed lime juice and fine strain before shaking to avoid pulp. Old juice makes the drink dull and bitter.
Dial the sweetness
If your maraschino reads very sweet, trim it by a barspoon and replace with water to keep total volume constant. This preserves balance without overhauling the recipe.
For a non-alcoholic riff, use an aromatic zero-proof gin alternative for structure, an herbal syrup to mimic the alpine notes, and a maraschino-style syrup for nutty-cherry sweetness. Keep the lime juice the same to preserve the sour’s backbone. Shake hard with ice and fine strain so the texture stays lively and the aromas lift. Build it in equal parts, then adjust sweetness by a small splash of cold water if your syrups are especially thick. A pinch of saline can add depth and reduce cloying sweetness without changing flavour. Serve in a chilled coupe to keep the finish clean. If you prefer a drier style, reduce the maraschino-style syrup slightly and increase the herbal syrup by a barspoon for length. A light mist of citrus oil over the top adds lift in the absence of alcohol’s volatility. Garnish with a small cherry or a lime coin for familiar cues.
Similar Drinks
Frequently Asked Questions
What gin style works best in a Last Word?
Choose a classic London Dry or similarly juniper-forward style to provide structure against the sweet liqueurs. Avoid overly sweet or strongly flavoured gins that can clash with the herbal component. The gin should read clean, dry, and assertive enough to hold its place.
Should I shake or stir, and for how long?
Shake hard with ice for about 10 to 12 seconds to chill, aerate, and reach proper dilution. You are balancing sweet liqueurs and fresh citrus, so the shake softens edges and lifts aroma. Fine strain to remove ice shards and achieve a smooth texture.
How strong does it feel, and can I lower the ABV?
It drinks medium-strong with a crisp, lingering finish, around the mid-20s in ABV once diluted. To soften it, reduce each liqueur slightly and add a small splash of chilled water, keeping the equal feel. Alternatively, serve in a slightly smaller portion while maintaining ratios.
Can I batch it for a party and what food pairs well?
Yes, pre-mix the spirits and liqueurs and keep them very cold, then add fresh lime and shake to order. Pair with briny seafood, tangy cheeses, or crisp, salty snacks that echo the acidity and cut the sweetness. Avoid heavy, creamy dishes that can dull its brightness.
Hangover Risk
Risk Level
Hangover risk based on alcohol type, content, and serving size: 3/5. Always drink responsibly.
Recipe Rating
Based on 3 reviews