Everyone loves to clink a green drink on St.
Patrick’s Day. I enjoy color-coded cocktails and party-themed sips as much as
the next gal, but it still has to taste
good. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, you
could simply add a little green food coloring to your beer — or you could
recognize you are no longer a college co-ed and toast the day with this classic
green cocktail instead.
Chartreuse is a vibrant green French liqueur that we’ve explored in other cocktails like the Bijou a.k.a. the Jewel. It’s medicinal-tasting on its own, but really lends an interesting layer of herbal flavors when combined with other liquors in cocktails.
This week’s pick, the Last Word cocktail, is traditionally served straight up, but I like to swirl it around on the rocks. It’s a light minty green color perfect for toasting St. Patrick’s Day, but without having to gag down some syrupy sweet green sludge of a drink. This is a real cocktail, layered with sweet and sour notes and has a purposeful finality once swallowed that, for obvious reasons, earned this pour its name.
For tonight’s 10-minute happy hour, grab a hunk of Irish Cheddar, and mix up a batch of the pretty green Last Word Cocktail to kick off your St. Patty’s Day weekend with style.
The Last Word Cocktail Recipe
¾ ounce gin
¾ ounce Green Chartreuse
¾ ounce maraschino liqueur
¾ ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
Slice of lime, for garnish
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add all of the ingredients and shake until chilled.
Strain into a coupe (if you like to sip your drink straight up) or into a glass filled with ice (if you prefer the clink of cubes). Garnish with a lime slice.
Related: Cocktails and Spirits for St. Patrick's Day
Maureen C. Petrosky writes what she knows, food, booze and parties. Author of The Wine Club, she appears regularly on The TODAY show to share her vices, and advice with the world. For more info check out www.maureenpetrosky.com or follow her on twitter @maureenpetrosky.(Image: Maureen Petrosky)
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Will definitely drink this one! This Irish girl loves her gin!
Tried the recipe tonight. The Chartreuse was a bit on the medicine-y side.
Made a pitcher of The Last Word and brought it to a St Patrick's Day party. Lost out to the mojito (also green) which someone else brought.