Final Say Cocktail

Name: Final Say Cocktail
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Rye Whiskey; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Aperol; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Maraschino Liqueur; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Yellow Chartreuse

Ingredients Instructions

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.

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.