I was introduced to Chartreuse on one of my early visits to Lyon about 10 years ago, and miss the days of more widespread (and cheaper) availability in the US. With the difficulty in finding Chartreuse over the last few years, I’ve hesitated from making cocktails with it, as I really enjoy it by itself. Also, with some new and new-to-me options like Green Key and Del Santo, it’s been quite easy to use substitutes and have a great drink.

I recently opened a bottle of green and splurged on using it in a Final Ward instead of a substitute; it’s fantastic. (On a recent trip to Lyon last month, I had one at an outstanding cocktail bar that made it with VEP!) The Last Word is a great drink; I often make a Final Ward for friends who like a Last Word and it quickly becomes a new favorite for them.

0.75oz Chartreuse Verte 0.75oz bourbon (Four Roses) 0.75oz Luxardo maraschino liqueur 0.75oz lemon juice

Shaken with ice, and served in a Reidel Nick & Nora glass, garnished with a Luxardo cherry. I’ve also made this with a glass rinse of Elixir Végétal and it really adds the herbaceous notes; highly recommended. I could probably increase each component to 1oz with the room available in the glass.