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Cocktail History
The Last Variant is a Sips From Scripts original cocktail that was created for the release of the Marvel television show Loki. The recipe, which was inspired by the main character and antihero Loki, is a variation of the Last Word that uses the classic’s equal-part template, but it calls for the Scandinavian spirit aquavit instead of gin as a nod to Asgard, Loki’s homeland, along with honey liqueur in place of cherry liqueur because it’s similar to mead, the fermented honey drink that the Asgardians are known to consume.
Cocktail History
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Aquavit: This is a spirit made with grains or potatoes, star anise, caraway, spices, and alcohol. We used State Line Distilling Aquavit because it has a fresh flavor with notes of rye thanks to it being aged in whiskey barrels. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Strykk Non-Alcoholic Not V*dka in place of the aquavit.
Honey Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with honey, spices, sugar, and alcohol. We used Celtic Honey Irish Liqueur because it’s made in Ireland and has a sweet honey flavor with notes of Cognac. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium Honey Syrup in place of the honey liqueur.
Green Chartreuse: This is a liqueur made in France with over a hundred herbs and plants, spices, sugar, and alcohol. For a mocktail version of this drink, try winter herb syrup in place of the Green Chartreuse.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. We used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. We used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. We used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. We used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. We used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
The Last Variant features mostly herbal aromas, has a citrus-forward initial taste sweetened with honey which evolves into an anise and herbal explosion as it moves towards your throat, and finishes with a sharp Chartreuse tinge on the swallow that leaves a lingering anise aftertaste.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: We both loved the different combinations of flavors this drink featured, and of all our Marvel drinks, this was our favorite. Despite it being a variant, it definitely belongs on the Sacred Timeline.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.
Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“When coming up with this cocktail, I settled on a riff on the Last Word, and the ingredients I decided to use that would be faithful to the character were aquavit and honey liqueur. The result makes an extremely interesting and complex but absolutely delicious mixture; the drink features the same citrus balance and herbal Chartreuse characteristics that the standard Last Word has, but the honey gives it a unique sweetness that is very different from Maraschino. And the aquavit steals the show with its anise flavors, which are there throughout but most prevalent in the aftertaste. I really enjoyed coming up with and drinking this, and I will absolutely be making this cocktail time and time again.”—
Kendall’s Take: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Up until now, I don’t believe I had tried a cocktail that used Aquavit as a base but thought this tasted very interesting. It’s surprisingly anise-forward at first and then melds into a sweet flavor. Of our Marvel-themed cocktail recipes, The Last Variant is definitely my fave, and I would request it again for a special sip while rewatching the show.”
Recipe
Add aquavit, honey liqueur, Green Chartreuse, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-15 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Ingredients
Directions
Add aquavit, honey liqueur, Green Chartreuse, lime juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.
Shake for 10-15 seconds.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Make It a Mocktail: Use Strykk Non-Alcoholic Not V*dka in place of the aquavit, Monin Premium Honey Syrup in place of the honey liqueur, and winter herb syrup in place of the Green Chartreuse to try a booze-free version of this drink.
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More Cocktails from Movies & TV Shows
If you like this cocktail recipe, here are a few others inspired by movies and shows we’ve tried that you may enjoy:
Miruvor (The Lord of the Rings): A gin cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, white tea, honey syrup, and orange flower water
Spirits Lifted (WandaVision): A peppered gin and vodka cocktail made with vermouth, paprika tincture, smoke & salt bitters, and cocktail onions
Butterbeer (Harry Potter): A stout beer and spiced rum cocktail made with evaporated milk, butter, margarine, vanilla extract, brown sugar, whole cloves, whole allspice berries, cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, and nutmeg
Kuzcotopia (The Emperor’s New Groove): A pisco cocktail made with Aperol, passion fruit syrup, grapefruit juice, lime juice, Tres Amigos bitters, and a lime slice
Tatooine Sunset (The Mandalorian): A tequila cocktail made with blue curaçao, pomegranate juice, grenadine, orange juice, lemon juice, and cherries
Hot Peppermint Patty (Archer): A low-proof cocktail made with milk, white peppermint schnapps, dark crème de cacao, white crème de menthe, cocoa powder, whipped cream, and chocolate
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