Final Ward
The Final Ward is a perfectly balanced cocktail that swaps the gin from a Last Word for spicy rye whiskey. The combination of herbaceous Green Chartreuse, funky maraschino liqueur, tart lemon juice, and the peppery rye creates a complex, sophisticated, and surprisingly refreshing drink. It's a testament to the versatility of the equal-parts formula, delivering a powerful yet harmonious flavor experience. This drink is a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts for its bold and layered profile.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Final Ward is categorized as a modern classic cocktail. It emerged in the 21st-century craft cocktail revival, quickly gaining respect and a place on menus worldwide as a contemporary classic.
Serving
Served chilled and "straight up" in a pre-chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass, this is a potent, spirit-forward cocktail with a significant alcohol content.
Serving size
Approx. 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz
Alcohol content
Estimated 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The Final Ward was created in 2007 by bartender Phil Ward at the renowned Death & Co. bar in New York City. It was conceived as a direct riff on the classic Prohibition-era cocktail, The Last Word. Ward simply substituted rye whiskey for the gin, creating an instant modern classic that honors its predecessor while establishing its own distinct identity. The name is a clever play on words, referencing both the original drink and the creator's surname.
Origin
Created in 2007 in New York City, USA.
Final Ward
The name "Final Ward" is a clever pun, referencing both the classic cocktail it's based on, "The Last Word," and its creator, bartender Phil Ward. It doesn't have any widely recognized alternative names.
Original name
Final Ward
Characteristics overview
The Final Ward presents a complex interplay of spicy rye and herbaceous Chartreuse, balanced by tart lemon and sweet maraschino. Its aroma is equally intricate, leading to a long, warming, and herbal finish.
Flavor
Herbaceous, spicy, tart, complex, balanced, citrusy, cherry notes
Aroma
Herbal, citrus, whiskey spice, faint cherry
Taste balance
Sour, sweet, bitter
Aftertaste
Long, warming, herbal, spicy
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale greenish-yellow, slightly cloudy
Texture
Smooth, silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, year-round
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is intense and complex, with a strong alcohol presence balanced by prominent sourness and rye spice. It is a still drink with moderate sweetness and herbal bitterness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This cocktail is built on an equal-parts formula, requiring rye whiskey, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. The quality of each ingredient is crucial for the final taste.
- Rye Whiskey22.5 ml / 0.75 ozA bold, high-rye whiskey (like Rittenhouse) works best to stand up to the other ingredients.
- Green Chartreuse22.5 ml / 0.75 ozThere is no substitute for this complex, herbaceous French liqueur.
- Maraschino Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 ozUse a quality brand like Luxardo or Maraska for its distinct funky, floral, and nutty profile.
- Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 ozMust be freshly squeezed for the essential brightness and balance in the drink.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
You will need a cocktail shaker to combine and chill the ingredients, a jigger for accurate measurements, and a double-straining setup for a debris-free, smooth texture.
- Cocktail shaker: For shaking and chilling the ingredients.
- Jigger: For accurate measurement of the equal parts.
- Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainers: For double-straining to achieve a smooth texture.
Instructions
To create a Final Ward, combine all four equal-part ingredients in an ice-filled shaker. Shake until well-chilled, then double-strain into a chilled coupe glass.
1. Chill your serving glass (a coupe or Nick & Nora) by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
2. Measure and pour all ingredients—rye whiskey, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lemon juice—into a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with ice cubes.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosty cold.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled serving glass.
6. Double-strain the cocktail through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the chilled glass.
7. Garnish with a single brandied cherry, if desired, and serve immediately.
Garnishing
The Final Ward is often served ungarnished to let the complex flavors shine. However, a single high-quality brandied cherry can be added for a touch of elegance and a complementary flavor.
- Brandied cherry: Drop one into the finished drink (optional).
Dietary Information
This is an alcoholic, vegan, and vegetarian cocktail. While ingredients are typically free from caffeine, dairy, eggs, and nuts, the rye whiskey base contains gluten.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This cocktail contains approximately 200-230 calories per serving, primarily from the alcohol and liqueurs. The carbohydrate and sugar content are moderate.
Calories
Averagely 200-230 kcal / 837-962 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9-11 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This sophisticated cocktail is perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif to awaken the palate or as a complex nightcap. It's also an excellent choice for impressing guests at a cocktail party or social gathering.
- Cocktail Hour
- Aperitif
- Nightcap
- Social Gathering
Pairing suggestions
The complex, bold flavors of the Final Ward pair well with rich and savory foods. Consider serving it alongside a charcuterie board featuring cured meats, strong cheeses, or olives. Its profile also complements the bitterness of dark chocolate.
- Charcuterie board
- Strong cheeses (like blue cheese or aged cheddar)
- Salted nuts
- Dark chocolate
The Final Ward: A Modern Masterpiece of Balance and Flavor
The Final Ward is a sophisticated and perfectly balanced modern classic cocktail. Created by Phil Ward as a twist on The Last Word, it substitutes rye whiskey for gin, resulting in a spicier, more robust profile. The equal-parts recipe of rye, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice makes it easy to remember and prepare. Its complex flavor profile—herbaceous, tart, and spicy—has made it a staple in craft cocktail bars worldwide.
Similar Cocktails
Variations
You May Also Like
Cape Codder
A simple, refreshing highball cocktail made with vodka and cranberry juice, garnished with a lime wedge.
Classic Rum Punch
A classic Caribbean concoction balancing sour, sweet, strong, and weak elements for a perfectly refreshing tropical drink.
Elderflower Sour
A refreshingly elegant and floral twist on the classic sour, balancing sweet elderflower liqueur with tart citrus and a spirit of your choice.
Vodka Gibson
A clean, crisp, and savory variation of the classic Martini, made with vodka and garnished with a cocktail onion.
Have You Tried These Yet?
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a
A refreshing, gin-based tiki cocktail with bright citrus, tropical pineapple, and nutty orgeat flavors.
Halekulani Cocktail
A sophisticated, bourbon-based tropical cocktail balancing whiskey warmth with bright citrus and pineapple notes.
London Road
A supremely refreshing and herbal gin cocktail featuring a bright combination of muddled cucumber, fresh mint, and floral elderflower.
Hester Prynne
A sophisticated and autumnal stirred cocktail blending American apple brandy with the complex herbal notes of Bénédictine and Yellow Chartreuse.