The Final Ward is a mixologist cocktail from Manhattan, 2008. Built on rye whiskey, served in a coupe, around 26% ABV. Phil Ward built this on the Last Word frame, swapping gin for rye and lime for lemon. Same equal-parts grammar. He used to make these at Death & Co. in the East Village. Whisper for one.
What goes in a Final Ward?
- ·3/4 oz rye whiskey
- ·3/4 oz green Chartreuse
- ·3/4 oz maraschino liqueur
- ·3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
How do you make a Final Ward?
- Add all four to a shaker with ice.
- Shake hard until very cold.
- Double-strain into a chilled coupe.
What should you know before making a Final Ward?
- Use a 100-proof rye (Rittenhouse Bonded). Lower-proof rye gets buried under the Chartreuse.
- Maraschino is Luxardo Maraschino Originale liqueur. Cherry syrup will not work.
- Lemon, never lime. The Final Ward's whole point is what citrus does to the same skeleton.
Where did the Final Ward come from?
Phil Ward built this on the Last Word frame, swapping gin for rye and lime for lemon. Same equal-parts grammar. He used to make these at Death & Co. in the East Village. Whisper for one. Ward has said the swap was originally a stunt to prove that the Last Word's structure was bulletproof; it turned out the rye-lemon version was its own equal cocktail.
According to Phil Ward, Death & Co., Manhattan, 2008.
What cocktails are similar to a Final Ward?
Common questions.
What is in a Final Ward cocktail?
Equal parts (three-quarters of an ounce each) rye whiskey, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. Shaken with ice and double-strained into a coupe.
Who invented the Final Ward cocktail?
Phil Ward at Death & Co. in Manhattan, in 2008. Ward also created the Oaxaca Old Fashioned.
What's the difference between a Final Ward and a Last Word?
The Last Word uses gin and lime. The Final Ward uses rye and lemon. Same equal-parts grammar, different starting points. They are sister cocktails.
What rye should I use for a Final Ward?
Rittenhouse Bonded (100 proof) is the bartender default. Pikesville Rye works. Anything under 90 proof gets buried.