The latest city on the Chartreuse Last Word twist travels is Leeds.
Once again the Chartreuse Who Will Have The Last Word Competition has brought out the best bartenders. It is going to be another tight one to call, don’t believe me? Have a look for yourself.
Peruvian Chariot of Fire – Alex Pitt, Living Room
- 25ml Green Chartreuse
- 35ml Peruvian un-aged Pisco (used 1605 brand)
- 25ml Luxardo Maraschino
- 25ml fresh lemon juice
- 2cm fresh red chilli (lightly pressed 3 times with lemon juice)
Serve straight up in a martini glass and garnish with red grapes
Pisco is the new big thing in London so I thought I would bring it to the north! The chilli works very well against the power of the Chartreuse giving a slight spiciness to the drink. Lemon juice provides acidity and balance whilst the maraschino provides depth and sweetness.
A Detroit Storm – Dan Crowther, Jakes Bar
- 25ml Yellow Chartreuse
- 25ml Deaths Door Gin
- 10ml Cocchi Americano
- 25ml lemon juice
- 5ml homemade honey & cardamom syrup
Place all ingredients into a shaker and shake hard then strain into a julep cup packed with crushed ice. Garnish with a big mint sprig and dust over the powder to make it look like a snow storm.
I wanted to try and stick to the original recipe as much as possible but try to evolve the drink to the modern consumer. This is why I’ve decided to change the serve from a coupette/martini to a julep cup packed with crushed with a big mint sprig and powder as it is visually very appealing and gives it that wow factor when serving. In the taste I’ve tried to make it lighter to yet again be aimed more towards a modern palate and especially a female one.
I Beg Your Pardon! – Sam Fish, Mojo
- 20ml Green Chartreuse
- 20ml Aperol
- 20ml Kamm and Sons
- 20ml lemon juice
- 5ml Chase Vodka (to rinse the glass)
Shake all ingredients together and fine strain into a vintage cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon “sail” on the side of the glass.
To get some inspiration for my drink I looked to the French, in particular Marie Antoinette (the coupette cocktail glass was supposedly modelled on Marie Antoinette’s breast). I have used the original Green Chartreuse paired with Kamm and Sons and Aperol, it has a wonderful herbaceous note that is very reminiscent of the Last Word, finished off with lemon juice to create a crispness at the end of the drink.
I washed my glass with vodka to give the impression of having a base spirit without taking away from the Chartreuse, I have chosen Chase potato vodka because Marie Antoinette would often wear potato blossoms in her hair. As for the name, I beg your pardon were the last words of Marie Antoinette after she stood on her executioners foot whilst being led to the guillotine.
Vieux Carre Twist – Tom Finnon, Smokestack
- 30ml Green Chartreuse
- 30ml Suze aperitif
- 30ml Appleton VX
Served ice cold straight up.
My thinking is along the lines of a rum Vieux Carre with Suze as a slightly sweater alternative to vermouth that delivers a gentian overtone to link in with the (star of the show) Green Chartreuse. Both these flavours ‘should’ link in with the earthy rum base.