Ginger Last Word
Muddle; Shake ∙ 4 min ∙ 24.8% ABV ∙
The Ginger Last Word shakes gin, green Chartreuse and maraschino liqueur with lime and fresh muddled ginger — the equal-parts classic, spiced. Bright and warming at once, with a peppery ginger snap cutting through a silky, herbal-sweet finish that lingers long after the citrus fades.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- In the base of the shaker, muddle: Fresh ginger root 2 slices
- Add the remaining ingredients: London dry gin 20 mlHerbal liqueur (e.g., Green Chartreuse) 20 mlMaraschino liqueur 20 mlLime juice 20 ml
- Shake with ice and fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express a grapefruit twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Muddle the ginger gently in the shaker base first — a light bruise releases the juice without shredding fibrous strands into the drink.
- Fine-strain hard after shaking to catch any leftover ginger fibers, keeping the pour smooth going into the chilled glass.
- Measure the Chartreuse and maraschino carefully; both are potent and will overpower the gin and ginger if over-poured.
- Express the grapefruit twist directly over the drink just before serving so its oils stay bright rather than fading.
History
The Ginger Last Word is a modern riff created in 2016 by London bartender Riccardo Aletta at Holy Birds, a restaurant and cocktail bar in London. Aletta reportedly called his creation a "Vegan Last Word," and it later circulated under the "Ginger" name for the muddled ginger root added to the shaker, which layers a spicy note onto the original formula.
The drink builds on the Last Word, a gin cocktail generally traced to the Detroit Athletic Club in Detroit, first documented on a club menu in 1916, whose exact inventor remains unknown and whose early spread is tied to vaudeville performer Frank Fogarty and Ted Saucier's 1951 book Bottoms Up!. The Ginger Last Word keeps that equal-parts structure but adds muddled fresh ginger for heat alongside the original spirits.
FAQ
What are the ingredients in a Ginger Last Word?
A Ginger Last Word is made with muddled fresh ginger, London dry gin, an herbal liqueur such as green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice, shaken and fine-strained into a chilled glass with an expressed grapefruit twist. The classic Last Word uses the same gin, Chartreuse, maraschino, and lime in equal parts; this version adds muddled ginger and finishes with grapefruit oils instead of the traditional cherry garnish.
What are some tips for making the perfect Ginger Last Word?
Muddle the ginger lightly rather than pounding it, so it releases juice without turning fibrous, then fine-strain hard to keep any ginger shreds out of the glass. Measure the Chartreuse and maraschino precisely, since both liqueurs are strong enough to bury the gin and ginger if poured heavy-handed, and express the grapefruit twist right at service so its oils stay bright on top.
