A moody riff on one of the most iconic gin cocktails in history, the Conniption Smoked Last Word honors the bold structure of the original while adding depth, intrigue, and smoke. This is not a reinvention for reinvention’s sake — it’s a purposeful upgrade.
Smoked Last Word
Category
Modern Cocktails
Traditionally made with equal parts gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice, the Last Word was born in 1915 at the Detroit Athletic Club, and quietly became a bartenders favorite during the Prohibition era. Its herbal, tart, and slightly sweet flavor profile made it a standout — and decades later, a classic revived.
At Conniption Bar & Lounge, we take that foundation and build on it with our signature style. Our version features Conniption American Dry Gin, known for its crisp clarity and depth, paired with Genepy in place of Chartreuse, a softer, alpine liqueur that still delivers a beautiful herbal complexity. Then we smoke each drink to order with cherry bark, a dramatic, aromatic ritual that turns this cocktail into a full sensory experience.
Ingredients
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.75 oz Conniption American Dry Gin
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.75 oz Genepy Liqueur
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.75 oz Maraschino
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.75 oz Lime
Directions
Add Conniption American Dry Gin, Genepy, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice into a shaker tin with ice.
Shake hard for 10–15 seconds until the tin is well-chilled. This drink loves a cold, fast whip.
Using a culinary torch, ignite a small pile of dried cherry bark on a heat-safe surface or inside a smoke dome.
Immediately place your coupe or Nick & Nora glass upside down over the smoke to capture the aromatic plume. Let sit for 5–10 seconds.
Flip your smoked glass upright, double-strain the cocktail into it, and garnish if desired with a dehydrated lime wheel or fresh lime zest.
Lean in. Let the smoke, citrus, and botanicals unfold sip by sip. This is a cocktail with a point of view.
Recipe Video
Recipe Note
Why We Love It
This is one of our most requested drinks — a bar team favorite, and a signature cocktail that lives permanently on our menu for good reason. It's the kind of cocktail that makes gin lovers swoon and gin skeptics convert. Balanced, layered, and bold, with a smoky edge that lingers just long enough. Whether it’s your first sip or your fifth time ordering it, the Conniption Smoked Last Word never misses.
