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Add Ice — Fill with Ice

Beginner15 mins

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Last Word Cocktail Recipe: A Classic Guide · Step 2 of 5

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In this video

Add ice to the smaller tin of your cocktail shaker. Use tongs to transfer the ice cubes from a bowl to the cocktail shaker tin. Do not overfill the shaker, but be generous with the ice. Larger ice cubes result in less dilution. Avoid using crushed or shaved ice unless making a frozen drink.

Goal: Add enough ice to the shaker tin

  • Be generous with the ice.
  • Use larger ice cubes.
  • Do not use crushed or shaved ice unless making a frozen drink.

Used in this video

  • Cocktail Shaker (shape: Cylindrical, material: Metal, size: Medium, observableFunction: Shaking) — Shaking the cocktail
  • Ice Tongs (shape: Long and thin, material: Metal, size: Medium) — Transferring ice
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FAQs

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.

Transcript
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we need to add some ice always be generous with your ice when you add it to your shaker tin or to your mixing glass do not overfill your shaker tin but definitely be generous with the ice you want the cocktail to be cold larger chunks of ice will add less water to your cocktail do not use crushed ice or shaved ice

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.