Last Word Cocktail Recipe: A Classic Guide
About This Project
To prepare a Last Word Cocktail, first gather all the necessary ingredients and tools, including gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, fresh lime juice, a cocktail shaker, jigger, Hawthorne strainer, a coupe glass, and ice. Next, fill the cocktail shaker with ice. Then add equal parts (usually around 1 ounce) of each gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice to the shaker. Secure the lid and vigorously shake the mixture for approximately 15-20 seconds to ensure thorough chilling and mixing. Finally, strain the cocktail using a Hawthorne strainer into a chilled coupe glass and enjoy.
Best for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts with familiarity with power tools.
Tools & Materials
Cocktail Shakers - Weighted
Bell Jiggers
Hawthorne Strainer (Deluxe Antique-Style)
Artisan Series Mixing Glass - BIC Originals
Gin
Absinthe
Cocktail Shakers - Weighted
<p>Bring out your inner bartender and make drinks like a pro!</p> <p><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; color: black;">Shaker tins are the flashy workhorse of any reputable bar. Ours are battle-tested and fit together like they were made for each other (because they were). This set includes one 28oz. base and one 18oz. “cheater” tin. Those weighted ends help control your shake and rhythm every step of the way.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><br data-mce-fragment="1">What's unique about ours? </p> <p>-<strong>Welded Weighted Bottoms: </strong>You don't have to worry about these bottoms falling off</p> <p>-<strong>Tight Seal, Easy to Open: <meta charset="utf-8"> <span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" id="docs-internal-guid-02b8afee-7fff-f727-3e67-4337057d5899">Provides a perfect seal for shaking, while opening quickly & smoothly for bartending efficiency</span></strong></p> <p>-<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" id="docs-internal-guid-e89a12de-7fff-83f5-f1cd-9bf215ba6a74">Optimally Balanced: </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" id="docs-internal-guid-e89a12de-7fff-83f5-f1cd-9bf215ba6a74">Designed by pros for that Goldie Locks combination of</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; color: #222222; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> premium quality weight without going overboard, so you can keep shaking all night</span>.<br data-mce-fragment="1"><br data-mce-fragment="1">We carry 9 finishes. Try Brushed Silver, Copper, Gold, Gunmetal Black, Matte Black, Matte White, Antique Brass, Rainbow Chrome, and Frosted Teal<br data-mce-fragment="1"><br data-mce-fragment="1">Our silver tins our perfectly dishwasher safe, but we recommend handwashing our other tins to extend the life of those finishes.<br></p> <p class="">Want even more options? Check out our <a href="https://bullinchinapdx.com/products/solid-copper-weighted-shaker-tins" title="Solid Copper Shaker Tins" target="_blank">100% Solid Coppe</a>r and <a href="https://bullinchinapdx.com/products/solid-brass-weighted-shaker-tins" title="Solid Brass Shaker Tins" target="_blank">100% Solid Brass</a></p>
Bell Jiggers
<p class="" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you’re only going to own one jigger, this bell jigger gets our vote. The ergonomic design makes it easy to use for as long as you’d like. Thanks to its internal markings, you can easily measure anything from .25 oz to a full 2 oz. We believe it’s the most versatile jigger to have behind the bar or at home.</p> <p style="white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""><strong>While our silver version is perfectly dishwasher safe, we recommend handwashing any of the other finishes to prolong the life of those coatings.</strong></p> <p style="white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""><strong>100% Brass and 100% Copper versions should be treated with a little extra care to prolong their lives. Check out our care page <a href="https://bullinchinapdx.com/pages/copper-brass-barware-care" target="_blank" title="Copper and Brass Care" rel="noopener">here</a></strong></p>
Hawthorne Strainer (Deluxe Antique-Style)
<p class="">There has been a huge resurgence among professional bartenders for this vintage-inspired style of strainer. Our Antique-style Hawthorne Strainers are the perfect edition to your bar, too! They strain stirred drinks just as well as shaken ones. Use them with a mixing glass or a cocktail shaker. And that indentation in the leg is a great way to lock your strainer in place so it doesn’t slip away from you mid pour.</p> <p class="">Try any of six finishes: Silver, Copper, Gold, Gunmetal Black, Antique Brass and Rainbow Chrome</p> <p style="white-space: pre-wrap;" class=""> <strong>While our silver version is perfectly dishwasher safe, we recommend handwashing any of the other finishes to prolong the life of those coatings.</strong></p>
Artisan Series Mixing Glass - BIC Originals
<p class="">Handblown in the Pacific NW, this gorgeous mixing glass inspired the creation of our company back in 2014.</p> <p class="">Our Artisan Mixing Glasses are just as functional as they are beautiful. We think this one-of-a-kind vessel bridges the line between sophisticated equipment and functional art. It will surely become your favorite (if not only) mixing glass once you see it in person.</p> <p class="">They're incredibly durable, made to handle huge temperature swings without cracking, and have a smooth, seamless interior (a necessity for any quality mixing glass). The exterior pattern is naturally occurring from the glass cooling, so no two are alike.</p> <h4>So what makes the Artisan different than our Flagship?</h4> <p class="">The Artisan series glass is made locally in the classic Venetian Hand-blown style. This is where our glassblower takes a fiery hot glob of glass and blows it up through a pipe like a balloon into our mold (much easier said than done). Once we remove it from the mold, instead of allowing the glass to cool naturally which would cause a smooth exterior surface, we shock it with cold water while it’s still semi-molten, creating that beautiful effect on the outside. It then goes through a slow annealing process, which means it heats up and cools down over a 48 hour period, making the glass pretty impervious to temperature changes thereafter. It’s also one of the heavier mixing glasses out there, which makes it that much sturdier in the face of danger.</p> <p class="">Liquid capacity is ~22 oz / 650ml. Works with a standard julep strainer or Hawthorne strainer.</p> <p>*Because of the handmade nature of this product, there may be slight variations from glass to glass. We like to think this adds character.</p> <p>Also available in <a href="https://bull-in-china-pdx.myshopify.com/collections/special-gift-and-startup-sets" style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;">The Bull In China Originals Stirred Cocktail Set</a>.</p>
Gin
gin
Absinthe
absinthe
Steps
Common Problems
Cocktail becomes diluted and lacks chill.
Solution: Be generous with the ice.
Watered-down cocktails dilute flavor.
Solution: Use larger ice cubes.
Do not use crushed or shaved ice unless making a frozen drink.
Solution: To avoid this issue: Be mindful of this warning and take appropriate precautions.
Cocktail flavors are unbalanced due to inaccurate ingredient ratios.
Solution: Use a jigger for accurate measurements.
Inaccurate measurements lead to a poorly balanced cocktail.
Solution: Ensure accurate measurements for the best flavor balance.
Cocktail is warm and diluted.
Solution: Add ice to the shaker before shaking.
Splashing and wasted ingredients when mixing cocktails.
Solution: Pour steadily to maintain control and prevent splashing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a Hawthorne strainer for this cocktail, or can I use something else?
While a Hawthorne strainer is ideal for this shaken cocktail as it efficiently separates ice and solids, a fine-mesh kitchen sieve can be used as a substitute in a pinch. However, for a truly smooth texture free of ice shards, the dedicated Hawthorne strainer is recommended for the best experience.
Green Chartreuse and Maraschino Liqueur seem a bit niche. Are there any common substitutes I can use if I don't have them?
Green Chartreuse is a highly unique herbal liqueur with no direct substitute that captures its distinct flavor profile, making it essential to the Last Word. While there are other cherry liqueurs, Luxardo Maraschino is the standard for the Last Word. These specific ingredients are key to the cocktail's classic taste, so substitutions would significantly alter the drink.
As a beginner, how difficult is it to get the 'equal parts' right for this cocktail?
Measuring equal parts is very straightforward with a jigger, making this an excellent beginner cocktail. The key is precision, ensuring you measure exactly the same volume (e.g., 1 ounce) of each ingredient. Don't be afraid to practice your measuring technique; consistency is more important than speed.
My Last Word tastes watery or not cold enough. What might I be doing wrong?
This usually indicates insufficient shaking or not enough ice. Ensure your cocktail shaker is completely full of fresh ice cubes before adding ingredients. Shake vigorously for a full 15-20 seconds until the shaker feels frosty to the touch, ensuring proper chilling and minimal dilution from rapidly melting ice in your glass.
The estimated time is 15 minutes. Is there a way to prepare this cocktail faster, or any steps that take longer than expected?
The 15-minute estimate includes gathering all your ingredients and tools. Once everything is prepped, the actual mixing process is very quick, usually under two minutes per drink. To speed it up, pre-chill your coupe glass and have your fresh lime juice squeezed in advance.
Are there any specific safety precautions or warnings I should be aware of when making this cocktail?
Beyond responsible consumption of alcohol, ensure your glassware is sturdy, especially if using a two-piece shaker or a delicate coupe glass, to prevent breakage during shaking or pouring. Always use fresh, clean ingredients and properly sanitize your tools for the best taste and hygiene.
Are there any common variations or twists on the classic Last Word recipe if I want to experiment?
Absolutely! The Last Word formula is highly adaptable. Popular variations include swapping gin for Mezcal (Mezcal Last Word), Rye Whiskey (Rye Last Word), or even a combination of spirits. You can also experiment with different herbal liqueurs or maraschino-style liqueurs, though the original equal-parts ratio provides a perfect balance.
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