Final Say Cocktail

The Final Say is a beautifully balanced cocktail that plays on the classic "Last Word" template. It substitutes rye whiskey for gin and Aperol for green Chartreuse, creating a drink with spicy, bitter-orange, and herbal notes. The result is a complex, sophisticated, and surprisingly refreshing sipper with a gorgeous amber hue. It is both spirit-forward and approachable.
Final Say Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Final Say is categorized as a modern classic cocktail. It belongs to the "sour" family of drinks due to its balanced structure, but its complexity places it firmly in the craft cocktail sphere. It's an equal-parts creation, a popular template for balanced, spirit-forward drinks.

Serving

The Final Say is served straight up (without ice) in a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It's a potent but balanced drink, best enjoyed very cold shortly after being prepared.
Serving size
Approximately 105 ml / 3.5 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

Created by bartender Phil Ward at the legendary Death & Co. in New York City around 2009, the Final Say is a prime example of the cocktail renaissance's creative spirit. It's part of a family of "Last Word" variations that Ward and others developed. This cocktail showcases how a classic template can be brilliantly reinterpreted with different base spirits and liqueurs to create something entirely new yet familiar.
Origin
New York City, USA, circa 2009.

Final Say Cocktail

The drink is consistently known as the Final Say. It is a modern cocktail created as a variation on the classic "Last Word" and does not have any widely recognized alternative names.
Original name
Final Say

Characteristics overview

It has a complex flavor profile with spicy rye and bitter orange leading, followed by sweet cherry and herbal notes from the liqueurs. The aroma is equally intricate, offering a smooth, warming, and bittersweet experience from start to finish.
Flavor
Spicy rye, bitter orange, herbal, sweet cherry, complex, bittersweet
Aroma
Herbal, citrusy, spicy, marzipan, floral
Taste balance
Balanced, bittersweet, sour, herbal
Aftertaste
Long, warming, herbal, bittersweet finish
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Amber, light orange, clear
Texture
Smooth, silky, medium-bodied
Seasonality
Year-round, refreshing yet complex

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense and complex, characterized by a prominent bittersweetness from the Aperol and Chartreuse, balanced by the spicy rye. It's a robust drink where no single flavor overpowers the others.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The Final Say is a perfectly balanced, equal-parts cocktail. It requires four key ingredients: spicy rye whiskey, bittersweet Aperol, complex maraschino liqueur, and herbal yellow Chartreuse.
  • Rye Whiskey22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    A 100-proof (50% ABV) rye is often recommended to stand up to the other bold ingredients.
  • Aperol22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Provides the signature bitter orange notes and vibrant color.
  • Maraschino Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Adds a funky, sweet cherry and almond-like complexity. Luxardo is the classic choice.
  • Yellow Chartreuse22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    A sweeter, milder herbal liqueur compared to its green counterpart.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

To create this drink, you will need a cocktail shaker and ice to chill and dilute the ingredients. A jigger is essential for the equal-parts measurements, and double-straining ensures a smooth texture.
  • Cocktail shaker to mix and chill the ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.
  • Hawthorne strainer and fine-mesh strainer for a clean pour.

Instructions

The method is straightforward: combine all liquid ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, shake until very cold, and double-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Finish with a fragrant lemon twist garnish.
1. Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the rye whiskey, Aperol, maraschino liqueur, and yellow Chartreuse in a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker is well-frosted.
5. Discard the ice from your serving glass.
6. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass. This involves pouring through both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh sieve.
7. Take a fresh lemon peel, twist it over the drink's surface to express its oils, and then drop it in as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the ideal garnish for this cocktail. The bright citrus oils expressed over the surface complement the drink's complex herbal and bitter notes.
  • Lemon twist, expressed over the drink to release oils and then placed in the glass or on the rim.

Dietary Information

This is an alcoholic beverage that is vegan and free from dairy, eggs, and caffeine. However, it is not considered gluten-free due to the rye whiskey base, although the distillation process removes most gluten proteins.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is moderately caloric, with around 200 kcal per serving, primarily from the alcohol and the sugar in the liqueurs. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low for a cocktail of this complexity.
Calories
Approximately 190-210 kcal / 795-880 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 12-14 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 11-13 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is a versatile cocktail suitable for an elegant cocktail hour or as a sophisticated aperitif before a meal. Its complexity and bittersweet profile also make it a fine after-dinner digestif to sip and savor.
  • Aperitif
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Sophisticated Gathering
  • After Dinner Drink

Pairing suggestions

The Final Say's bittersweet and herbal profile pairs wonderfully with savory and salty foods that can stand up to its flavor. Consider serving it with a charcuterie board featuring cured meats and aged cheeses, or simple appetizers like high-quality olives and roasted nuts.
  • Salty snacks like Marcona almonds or olives
  • Charcuterie and cheese boards
  • Prosciutto-wrapped melon
  • Small savory bites (tapas)

The Final Say: A Modern Classic of Balanced Complexity

The Final Say is a sophisticated and modern classic cocktail created by Phil Ward at Death & Co. It's an equal-parts concoction of rye whiskey, Aperol, maraschino liqueur, and yellow Chartreuse, resulting in a complex, bittersweet, and herbal flavor profile. Served straight up in a coupe glass after being shaken, it is a testament to the art of balancing bold ingredients. It is the perfect drink for those who appreciate a spirit-forward, nuanced sipper that bridges the gap between classic structure and modern creativity.

Similar Cocktails

The Last Word

The original template. Uses Gin, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino Liqueur, and Lime Juice.

Final Ward

Another Phil Ward creation. Uses Rye Whiskey, Green Chartreuse, Maraschino Liqueur, and Lemon Juice.

Paper Plane

Uses Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and Lemon Juice. Shares the bittersweet Aperol note.

You May Also Like

The Wayland

A refreshingly complex gin cocktail featuring herbal, floral, and fresh vegetal notes from Chartreuse, elderflower, cucumber, and basil.

Jack Rose

A classic American cocktail featuring applejack, grenadine, and lemon or lime juice, known for its rosy hue and balanced flavor.

Black and Tan

A visually striking layered beer drink made by floating a dark stout over a pale ale.

Radler

A refreshing and simple German beer cocktail made by mixing beer with sparkling lemonade or citrus soda.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Delilah Cocktail

A silky, citrus-forward gin sour that is the direct predecessor to the famous White Lady cocktail.

Opal Cocktail

A bright and refreshing classic gin cocktail with a delicate, opalescent hue and a perfect balance of citrus and sweetness.

Dragon's Breath Shot

A visually striking and intensely spicy layered shot combining a sweet herbal liqueur with fiery cinnamon schnapps.

Goldeneye

A sophisticated and tropical rum cocktail balancing the sweetness of pineapple with the herbal complexity of Galliano.