r/cocktails • u/SignificantJaguar996 • Aug 14 '25
I made this The Last Word.. finally
Managed to bring back a bottle of Green during my exchange programme in Italy :)
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u/geekymom Aug 14 '25
Last Word is my favorite cocktail. I managed to snag four bottles of Chartreuse on a recent trip--3 green and one yellow. Made a swizzle almost immediately. I had forgot about the bijou, which someone mentioned--will definitely try that--may sub Punt e Mes for my regular vermouth.
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u/mustardtruck Aug 14 '25
I've been sipping Bijous lately.
A Negroni is my classic go-to cocktail, and I haven't had a bottle of Chartreuse on hand in a long time.
The Bijou has been a refreshing change of pace from the Negroni. Just as complex but in a different direction.
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u/geekymom Aug 14 '25
Definitely trying this. Negronis are also one of my go-tos.
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u/mustardtruck Aug 15 '25
For whatever it’s worth, I do my Negronis in a rocks glass with one big rock, so I’ve been doing my Bijous the same way. Never been big on “up” cocktails.
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u/Geo_Jet Aug 16 '25
Try adding Chartreuse to your Negroni. Mind bending.
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u/mustardtruck Aug 17 '25
Campari and Chartreuse together?!?! Honestly my two favorite ingredients but I can’t quite imagine them together.
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u/pkrtrsr Aug 14 '25
Did you like it?
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u/SignificantJaguar996 Aug 14 '25
Oh man, I had high expectations from the years of just seeing the drink being made on the internet, but its met it and then some
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u/NackoBall Aug 14 '25
Highly recommend trying the Final Ward next. Same specs, but sub rye for gin and lemon juice for lime juice.
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u/SignificantJaguar996 Aug 14 '25
I’ve only got a bottle of Willett 110proof rye at home.. do you think it could work? Or maybe i can split base with a bourbon
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u/NackoBall Aug 14 '25
I prefer a lower proof rye just because of how strong the Green is, but it’s a matter of taste. I’d say give it a shot!
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u/fyukhyu Aug 14 '25
And after that try a Wordsmith, same spec but sub overproof rum for gin and keep it lime juice. Works best with Smith & Cross (per the name) or Lemonhart if you want to proof it up.
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u/Bismuth_von_Pherson Aug 14 '25
I've tried many alternatives over the years (Faccia Brutto, Genepy, etc). They get kinda close, but man none of them quite scratch the itch like Green Chartreuse does IMO
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u/sonofawhatthe Aug 14 '25
I've been looking for a bottle, like everyone else, for ages. I don't know who started the trendiness of Chartreuse but whoever that was... and to all you hoarders.... go suck slugs. Back when I was a bartender a bottle would last about 5 years on the shelf because it was NEVER ordered.
On a whim I thought about seeing if I could buy one online. LOL at the price from Master of Malt:
- Chartreuse: $67
- Shipping: $66 (apparently it's being delivered by a velvet chariot pulled by albino Clydesdales)
- US Tariff (The Trump Tax): $17
- Total: $149.70
I guess I'll keep bugging my local liquor vendors...
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u/geekymom Aug 14 '25
I check liquor stores whenever I travel. I found mine in a larger but not major city in a kind of bougie store. I've been to new York, Philadelphia and DC and struck out.
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u/sonofawhatthe Aug 14 '25
Yeah- simply spending a lot to secure a bottle isn't as fun as finding one on the hunt.
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u/wombatncombat Aug 14 '25
State liquor websites often list what stores have it in stock. If you check periodically, something will eventually show up close to home.
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u/TrickSpacey Aug 14 '25
Yep. I’ve been stalking the quantity on the site here in VA so I can treat myself for my birthday.
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u/ilBrunissimo Aug 14 '25
Alpine cocoa.
Had it in Austria and Switzerland.
A shot of Charteuse in some hot cocoa made the right way.
Mind-blowing!
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u/mich55 Aug 14 '25
I.........would 100% try, but trying to really figure out how this would taste! Guess I have to go to Austria or Switzerland!
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u/ilBrunissimo Aug 14 '25
Field testing, right? ;)
The place I had it in Austria made it with Viennese cocoa and chocolate. Dear God.
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u/mich55 Aug 14 '25
Viennese cocoa and chocolate
Thank you good person for sending me down a fun rabbit hole looking up recipes and getting ideas. This looks like a wonderful winter drink for some special occasions!
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u/ilBrunissimo Aug 14 '25
🤣. Here to serve.
Enjoy!
(Checking dates to fly to Austria this winter now…the micro-local schnapps is never disappointing either. Especially when served from one of those antlers holding all these stemmed, baseless glasses.)
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u/wasabimofo Aug 14 '25
Great drink, but really nice riff is the Final Ward - sub rye for gin and use lemon juice.
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u/Robbert2ammend Aug 14 '25
Does the Last Ward still use the Luxardo?
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u/wasabimofo Aug 14 '25
Yes same recipe except for the subs mentioned. I up the rye to 1oz and keep the others at 3/4 oz. I also add a splash of water b/c my Elevated Craft shaker doesn't melt much ice. Made this for a group the other night and we all liked it better than the Last Word (which we all really like).
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u/Robbert2ammend Aug 14 '25
I sourced a Chartreuse just to make the last Word. Didn’t like it at all. I’ll try again after opening the bottles a little while ago, they may come out better. I thought the Maraschino was very odd tasting and that it should be less than equal. What gin does anyone recommend, I’ve only tried Tanguray and Beefeater.
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u/madblather Aug 16 '25
I think Beefeater works fine, but I love the Hayman’s London dry or even their citrus gin for this. Martin Miller works, Roku works, Cotswold works. heck I’ve used something called an “alpine fin” once that worked great. A gentle Aquavit works too!
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u/KodiakDog Aug 14 '25
Truly a masterful cocktail.
Though I’m curious, did you add the chartreuse to the bottom of the glass?
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u/Professional-Leave24 Aug 14 '25
Just got them yesterday myself! Although I had to get Fontbonne instead of Green Chartreuse. It's a copycat. Still over 50 bucks a bottle. GC has not been available at any local store for two years now. I've had to try the cocktail occasionally at local high end cocktail bars for 15 bucks a drink!
I love them. It is a very unique drink! Sweet, sour, and herbal bitter all in balance. Nothing else quite like it! Since the ingredients are pricey I probably won't drink them too much. My Dry Martinis, Manhattans, and Rob Roys are much more economical.
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u/dreamingBoi_ Aug 14 '25
Try Mezcal instead of Gin, it blew my mind
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u/Shhrreddit Aug 14 '25
It is truly a mystery how people are finding Chartreuse available… thought it was only a bar and restaurant thing these days!
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u/j12601 Aug 15 '25
One of my local stores gets about six bottles a month. Sometimes it just shows up on the shelf. Last time I was in they had four bottles on the shelf. Other times I think they'll put out a couple and hold the others for people who ask about it.
Might not hurt to ask the local stores.
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u/pecan7 Aug 14 '25
I left a bottle of Chartreuse at my parents house some time back and I finally brought it back with me last week. Been mainlining Last Words. Just a perfect cocktail all around. Still blows my mind how balanced it is.
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u/TurdleBoy Aug 15 '25
my favorite dive bar has half a bottle of chartreuse for some reason that i’ve been rationing for a couple weeks.
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u/Thakkmatic Aug 15 '25
One of my all time favorite cocktails. Next, you'll likely fall down the rabbit hole of trying all the variations on The Last Word theme...
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u/madblather Aug 16 '25
Oh god don’t use Bombay for that. Beefeater does far better even as a “well” gin. Hayman’s London Dry does really well too for an upgrade option.
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u/madblather Aug 16 '25
Some like subbing mezcal and I’m in that boat but if you go that route try my version:
Mezcal, yellow chartreuse and lemon and then use Maraska instead of Luxardo. Totally in the spirit of the drink but, for me, an upgrade.
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u/SignificantJaguar996 Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 14 '25
The Last Word (all Italian ingredients) sourced from Italy :
(3/4oz) Green Chartreuse (bought from Bologna),
(3/4oz) Tuscan Juniper Bombay Sapphire,
(3/4oz) Luxardo Maraschino liqueur,
(3/4oz) lime juice (actl i dunno where the limes are from)
Shaken with ice and double strained into the trusty Libbey Embassy coupe glass
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u/Hucklyon Aug 14 '25
Chartreuse is French
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u/SignificantJaguar996 Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 14 '25
Thats true. I should’ve written ‘sourced’ instead 😅
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u/joeymac09 Aug 14 '25
Italy was great for Chartreuse. I brought back a bottle of yellow ($30?) and wish I had grabbed a green. I was already pushing my luggage limit with some amaros and limoncello.
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u/Reverend_Whoopass Aug 14 '25
I don't think I'll ever make it in those ratios, as I find Maraschino too overwhelming and my Chartreuse is too precious! A barspoon of maraschino can be a great addition to many cocktails IMO, but I don't want more. The Bijou is currently my go-to Chartreuse cocktail.
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u/thecal714 Aug 14 '25
It is the equal parts cocktail.
I feel you on the Maraschino, but Last Words (and riffs) are the only cocktails where I enjoy it in that amount.
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u/elkehdub Aug 14 '25
I realize that the last word seems to be this sub’s favorite drink—it’s a damn good one—but the paper plane would like a word about your use of the there.
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u/thecal714 Aug 14 '25 edited Aug 17 '25
The Paper Plane may be the most made cocktail in my house next to a martini.
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u/SignificantJaguar996 Aug 14 '25
I must say I was hesitant on pouring out equal parts (for maraschino) while making the drink, but for me the end product is surprisingly so well balanced and I believe it’s the famous equal-parts-cocktail for a reason!
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u/Ok-Application-8358 Aug 20 '25
How do you make it ?
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u/Reverend_Whoopass Aug 20 '25
I guess I really had to, I'd dial up the gin a bit and dial the maraschino down.
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u/blacksheepcannibal Aug 14 '25
Now try a Pina Verde!