Last Word

The Last Word is Prohibition-era Detroit's greatest cocktail contribution and a masterclass in equal-parts balance. Created in the 1920s at the Detroit Athletic Club, this gin cocktail combines gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice in equal proportions to create a bright green, intensely flavorful cocktail. The drink disappeared after Prohibition, remaining obscure until Seattle bartender Murray Stenson revived it at the Zig Zag Café in 2004, sparking a global revival. Served in a chilled coupe glass, the Last Word represents Prohibition-era creativity, the craft cocktail renaissance, and the power of equal-parts recipes. The drink embodies Detroit drinking culture, the golden age of cocktails, and the magic of ingredient balance. The Last Word's herbal intensity (from Chartreuse), cherry complexity (from maraschino), botanical depth (from gin), and citrus brightness create bold, unapologetic flavor. The cocktail demands quality ingredients: good gin, Green Chartreuse (yellow won't work), Luxardo maraschino, and fresh lime juice. The drink inspired countless variations (Paper Plane, Naked & Famous) and proved that forgotten cocktails could become modern classics. The Last Word represents cocktail archaeology, the revival of lost drinks, and Seattle's craft cocktail influence. Whether served at a Detroit bar or a Seattle speakeasy, the Last Word delivers bold herbal complexity.