For the fatigued palate…just what the doctor ordered!

If I ever had a cold and had to go to work–at least during my waitressing years–Elsie, the old German matriarch of the night crew, would have me sip a shot of Green Chartreuse (maybe that’s redundant, but there is a Yellow Chartreuse!) Boy would that stuff clear out your sinuses! Ever since then, I’ve thought of Chartreuse as medicine and stayed away–until now. As I cycle through the easy stuff–the approachable cocktails–I find some of them start to taste the same, especially the gin sour types (my favorites). The flavor profile that isn’t so approachable–the anise-to-menthol type stuff like absinthe and Chartreuse are a bit more challenging but a welcome change of pace…I’m a huge fan of equal parts cocktails because they’re usually boozy & balanced but most of all because the recipes are so easy to remember! All booze cocktails are a bit hard for me to swallow these days, though, so I like an equal parts with a bit of citrus. The Last Word is all of the above & I do believe it has a bit of a cult following and I totally get why…Here ya go (from cold-glass.com)

3/4 oz dry gin (I loved Nolet’s in this but plymouth, etc will do)

3/4 oz green Chartreuse (expensive but worth it…warning, the darn stuff is 110 proof!)

3/4 oz Luxardo maraschino liqueur

3/4 oz fresh squeezed lime juice

Keep the drink small so it stays cold; make sure you put your nick & nora or martini glasses or coupes in the freezer before you start making the drink, & shake it with ice until very cold. Strain & serve….Then find a quiet place to sit and savor…