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Cocktail History
The Final Say is an original gin cocktail that was first published in The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions by Lou Bustamante. It was created as a riff on the classic Last Word that swaps out Green Chartreuse for crème de violette liqueur in homage to Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess of Grantham in the hit show Downton Abbey.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Gin: This is the base spirit. We decided to use Prairie Organic Navy Strength Gin for its high alcohol content and its notes of lemon zest, angelica root, and blended spices.
Maraschino Liqueur: This adds cherry flavor. The original recipe called for Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, a popular cherry liqueur that features an earthy aroma and sweet, creamy cherry flavor.
Crème De Violette: This is a purple floral liqueur. We used Rothman & Winter Crème De Violette Liqueur because theirs is made using a brandy base and no added vanilla or other fruit flavors, making it a true violet liqueur.
Lime Juice: This adds sour citrus flavors that balance out the other ingredients. We prefer to use fresh citrus juice because it’s less bitter than the bottled stuff and tastes better.
Lime Twist: This is the garnish. It adds more fresh citrus aroma and flavor.
Tasting Notes
The Final Say is a very light and airy cocktail that features floral and cherry aromas, a sweet citrusy taste, noticeable juniper and floral qualities as its held in the mouth, and prevalent maraschino liqueur in the aftertaste.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We opted to use a navy strength gin in ours to give this equal-parts cocktail some extra punchy gin flavor, which we both really liked. Overall, this drink is refreshing, well-balanced, and as potent as the matriarch’s quips are in the show.
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions by Lou Bustamante.
AuthorThe Official Downton Abbey Cocktail BookPrep Time5 minsAdd gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, lime juice, and ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with lime twist.
Ingredients
Directions
Add gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, lime juice, and ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with lime twist.
Tools & Glassware We Recommend
More Spring Cocktails
If you like this spring cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
• Mountaintop Meadow: A vodka cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, lavender bitters, dry sparkling wine, a pineapple wedge, and mint
• Golden Chrysanthemum: A brandy and sparkling wine cocktail made with pear liqueur, Suze, and a lemon twist
• The Parasol: A sparkling wine cocktail made with lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, elderflower liqueur, honey syrup, and a lemon twist
• Florodora: A gin cocktail made with lime juice, raspberry syrup, simple syrup, ginger ale, a lime slice, and raspberries
