Enjoy the flavors of fall with this uncomplicated Closing Argument recipe! Mixing Mezcal, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice results in a refreshing cocktail.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
173
Ingredients
- ¾ oz Mezcal
- ¾ oz Green Chartreuse
- ¾ oz Maraschino Liqueur
- ¾ oz fresh lime juice
- Ice cubes
- Maraschino cherry or lime twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Coupe Glass
- Measuring Jigger
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Coupe glass with ice. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Lime Juice: Pour ¾ oz fresh lime juice into the shaker.
- Add Maraschino: Add ¾ oz Maraschino Liqueur.
- Add Chartreuse: Measure and pour ¾ oz Green Chartreuse into the shaker as well.
- Add Mezcal: Finally, add ¾ oz Mezcal to the mix.
- Shake: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Discard the ice inside the coupe glass. Then, using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the shaken drink into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a Maraschino cherry or a lime zest and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Mezcal: If you don't have Mezcal, you can use tequila as a substitute. It won't have the same smoky flavor, but it will still work well in this cocktail. You can also use gin for a classic Last Word cocktail.
- Green Chartreuse: This is a unique ingredient and hard to replace, but if necessary, you can try using Yellow Chartreuse or Strega. They won't replicate the exact flavor but will provide a similar herbal note.
- Maraschino Liqueur: Try substituting it with another cherry-flavored liqueur or brandy if you're out of it. You may have to adjust the quantities depending on the substitute you choose and its flavor and sugar content.
- Fresh Lime Juice: You can use bottled lime juice in a pinch, but the flavor will be less bright and fresh. Another option is to use fresh lime juice for a slightly different citrus kick.
Making a Pitcher of Closing Argument:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 6 oz of Mezcal, 6 oz of green Chartreuse, 6 oz of maraschino liqueur, and 6 oz of fresh lime juice.
- Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher, add ice, and stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual chilled coupe glasses, garnish each glass with a maraschino cherry or a lime twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Mezcal Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic smoky spirit substitute. Several brands on the market mimic the smoky flavor of Mezcal. You can also try making your own substitute by mixing together water, a pinch of smoked salt, a splash of tonic, and a bit of agave syrup (to taste).
- Green Chartreuse Substitute: Make a simple syrup infused with various herbs to mimic the herbal notes of green Chartreuse.
- Maraschino Liqueur Substitute: Use a cherry-flavored syrup or non-alcoholic cherry liqueur.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. Just make sure that the maraschino cherries you may be using for garnish are vegan, as some brands still use cochineal as coloring for their cherries.What is a Closing Argument?
A Closing Argument, also known as a Mezcal Last Word, is a mezcal-based cocktail made of equal parts Mezcal, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice. It’s not particularly difficult to make as it requires mixing these four ingredients in equal measures. The Closing Argument is a variant of the classic gin-based cocktail known as The Last Word; however, this version substitutes gin with smoky Mezcal for an intriguing twist on the original recipe. An exciting aspect of this drink is its balance – despite having individual solid flavors from each ingredient, they harmoniously blend without one overpowering another.
What is a Closing Argument made of – The ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need on hand to mix up a Closing Argument:
- Mezcal: This smoky agave-based spirit serves as the cocktail’s base, providing a robust and complex flavor profile.
- Green Chartreuse: A French liqueur made by the Carthusian Monks since 1764, following a recipe given to them in 1605. It adds an herbal complexity to the drink.
- Maraschino Liqueur: This clear, cherry-flavored liqueur contributes a subtle sweetness and fruity undertone.
- Fresh Lime Juice: It brings a necessary acidity to balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients, enhancing their flavors.
