Calories:~175
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:~15g
Alcohol:~22%
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 16, 2024
The First Word cocktail is a modern twist on the classic Last Word cocktail. It's a creation that emerged from the craft cocktail movement, where bartenders explore new flavor profiles.
The First Word cocktail offers a harmonious blend of botanical, herbal, and citrus notes. It's a complex yet refreshing drink with a sweet undertone from the beer simple syrup, balanced by the tartness of lime juice.
A few good options for First Word are:
Gin is the backbone of this cocktail, providing a crisp and aromatic base. A 0.75 oz pour keeps the botanicals in check so they don't overshadow the other ingredients. Going overboard might turn your sip into a pine forest escapade, while skimping on it could leave the drink feeling flat. If gin isn't your thing, try vodka for a more neutral taste.
The Green Chartreuse gives the First Word a mystical herbal punch. This French liqueur is potent, so the 0.75 oz pour balances the ensemble without making you feel like you're sipping a monastic garden. If you forgone it, you'd miss the soul of the drink. A possible twist could be using Yellow Chartreuse for a milder and sweeter touch.
Lime juice adds that necessary zing and acidity, brightening the cocktail. 0.75 oz harmonizes with the other players without turning the drink into a sour face competition. Less juice, and the drink becomes too subtle; more, and it might pucker up too tight. A swing towards lemon juice could offer a different kind of citrus bite.
The in-house special! This 0.50 oz of beer-infused sweetness mellows the tanginess and adds a unique malty undertone. Err on the side of caution — too much and it could become cloying, too little and you might miss the depth. Agave syrup could be a substitute, though it'll steer the flavor towards a tequila sunrise horizon.
Who doesn't like a cherry on top? It's the final touch that adds a tease of sweetness and a pop of color. No cherry, and the cocktail still sings, but it'd be like skipping the encore at a concert. If you're out of cherries, a twist of citrus peel could still do the trick to charm the eye.
Enter your email, and we'll send the exclusive list straight to your inbox.
We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously
Explore all drinks starting with F here
Swap out the beer simple syrup for honey syrup for a smoother, sweeter twist. The drink will feel more velvety and you'll find a meadow in your glass instead of a brewery.
Introduce a dash of bitters, such as Angostura, to add complexity and a slight edge. This will bring some darkness into the libation, like a shadow in the grove.
Top off the cocktail with a splash of sparkling wine or champagne. This will lift the spirits – literally – giving the concoction a bubbly personality and a festive flair.
The basic composition of simple syrup is relatively straightforward – a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water. This mixture is heated until the sugar dissolves, resulting in a clear, sweet syrup.
Learn everything about simple syrupAdd your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingIf you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
Completely free!
The First Word cocktail is typically served in a coupe glass, which is ideal for this type of shaken, strained cocktail.
Yes, the ingredients in the First Word cocktail are plant-based, making it suitable for vegans as long as the beer used in the beer simple syrup is also vegan-friendly.
Yes, while a cherry is the classic garnish, you could also use a twist of lime or a sprig of fresh herbs such as mint or rosemary to complement the botanical flavors.
The First Word can be enjoyed year-round, but its refreshing and citrusy profile makes it particularly suitable for the spring and summer months.
For a non-alcoholic version, you can use non-alcoholic gin and Green Chartreuse substitutes, alongside the beer simple syrup substitution mentioned in the recipe.
The name 'First Word' is a playful nod to the classic 'Last Word' cocktail, suggesting a new beginning or variation on the traditional recipe.
Preparation of the First Word cocktail is quite quick and takes roughly 2-3 minutes, including chilling the glass, mixing the ingredients, shaking, and garnishing.
The Snake In The Grass cocktail is a delightful mix of sweet, sour, and herbaceous flavors. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the lemon juice adds a tangy sourness. The simple syrup balances out the sourness with a touch of sweetness, and the mint leaves lend a refreshing, herbaceous note.
The Mango-Basil Bramble is a delightful balance of sweet, sour, and herbal flavors. The ripe mango provides a sweet, tropical base, while the lemon juice adds a tangy kick. The basil leaves lend a refreshing, herbaceous note that complements the fruitiness perfectly.
The Lumiere cocktail offers a harmonious balance of flavors. It's herbaceous and floral, with a bright citrus tang from the lime juice and a subtle sweetness from the St Germain. The green Chartreuse provides a complex, spicy undertone, and the gin's botanicals shine through, making it a refreshing yet potent drink.
The Red Hook cocktail is a well-balanced mix of sweet, bitter, and strong flavors. It has a rich, velvety texture with a hint of spice from the rye whiskey, and a pleasant bitterness from the Punt e Mes and maraschino liqueur.
The Teddy Bear cocktail offers a sweet and fruity flavor profile with a hint of spice from the cinnamon. It's a warm, comforting drink with a smooth texture, thanks to the pear and cognac liqueur, and a crisp freshness from the apple juice.
The Silver Fox is a symphony of flavors with a creamy, velvety texture. The botanicals of the gin shine through, complemented by the sweet, nutty notes of orgeat and amaretto. The lemon juice adds a refreshing tartness, while the egg white provides a luxurious frothiness.
The Black Manhattan has a rich, bittersweet taste with a smooth, velvety texture. The combination of rye whiskey and Averna amaro creates a complex flavor profile with notes of caramel, chocolate, and herbs. The addition of bitters adds depth and a slight spiciness to the drink.
The Blackberry Bramble is a sweet, fruity, and refreshing cocktail with a tangy kick from the lemon juice. It has a well-balanced flavor profile, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy both sweet and sour notes in their cocktails.
The Blackberry-Thyme French 75 is a delightfully balanced cocktail. The sweet, tart flavor of blackberries is complemented by the earthy, aromatic thyme. The gin adds a juniper-forward botanical flavor, and the champagne gives it a bubbly, crisp finish.
The Last Word is a well-balanced cocktail with a complex flavor profile. It is simultaneously sweet, sour, herbal, and slightly bitter. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the Chartreuse adds a rich, herbal complexity. The maraschino liqueur brings a touch of sweetness, and the lime juice adds a refreshing, tart finish.
The Bijou cocktail has a complex and well-balanced taste, featuring herbal and botanical notes from the gin and green Chartreuse, sweetness from the sweet vermouth, and a hint of bitterness from the orange bitters. It is a strong, rich, and slightly sweet drink with a smooth and velvety texture.
The Green Ghost cocktail is a complex and refreshing drink with a mix of herbal, citrus, and slightly sweet flavors. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the green Chartreuse adds a unique herbal and slightly sweet quality. The lime juice brings a fresh, tart citrus note that balances out the sweetness and adds a zesty finish.
The Margarita is a well-balanced cocktail with a bright, citrusy flavor. It is both sweet and sour, with the tanginess of lime juice complementing the sweetness of the orange liqueur. The tequila adds a strong, earthy backbone, while the salt rim enhances the overall taste and adds a savory touch.
The Screwdriver cocktail offers a bright, citrusy, and slightly sweet flavor profile. The smoothness of the vodka is complemented by the tangy and refreshing taste of the orange juice, making it a well-balanced and easy-to-drink cocktail.
The Kamikaze cocktail has a refreshing, tangy taste with a hint of sweetness. It is a well-balanced mix of sour, sweet, and strong flavors, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy citrus-based cocktails.
The Daiquiri is a refreshing, tangy, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of citrus. It has a light and crisp taste, making it perfect for warm weather or as an aperitif.
The Gimlet cocktail has a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet taste. The combination of gin and lime juice creates a refreshing and crisp flavor, while the simple syrup adds a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity. The overall taste is clean, sharp, and invigorating.
The Cosmopolitan is a well-balanced cocktail with a slightly sweet, tart, and fruity taste. The combination of cranberry juice, lime, and orange liqueur creates a refreshing and zesty flavor, while the vodka adds a smooth and subtle kick.
The Martini has a crisp, clean, and slightly herbal taste. It is a strong and sophisticated cocktail with a hint of bitterness from the vermouth.
The Negroni is a well-balanced cocktail with a bitter, sweet, and herbal taste. It has a strong, bold flavor with a hint of citrus and a smooth, velvety finish.
The Long Island Iced Tea is a complex blend of flavors, combining the sweetness of cola and sour mix with the boldness of multiple spirits. It is a strong, yet surprisingly smooth cocktail with a slightly bitter aftertaste.
The Mojito is a refreshing, sweet, and slightly sour cocktail with a hint of mint and a subtle rum kick. It is a well-balanced drink that is both invigorating and easy to sip.
The Mint Julep has a refreshing, sweet, and slightly minty taste. It is a well-balanced cocktail with a strong bourbon backbone and a cooling, herbal finish.
The Moscow Mule is a refreshing, slightly spicy, and tangy cocktail with a hint of sweetness. The combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice creates a well-balanced and invigorating flavor profile.
