Monte Cassino

If you’ve ever had a classic Last Word, you know the kind of nuanced flavor profile that comes with combining Green Chartreuse with citrus, spirit and another distinct liqueur (lime, gin and Maraschino, respectively). It’s a drink unlike any other, and thanks to its unique nature, the Last Word has inspired countless riffs over the years. Take the Monte Cassino, for example—created in 2010 by New York City bartender Damon Dyer, this variation uses Yellow Chartreuse, Benedictine, American rye whiskey and freshly-squeezed lemon juice, and it’s every bit as satisfying as the original.

Dyer’s Monte Cassino draws its name from Benedictine’s rich and fascinating history, which, like Chartreuse, is connected to centuries of production by monks (Monte Cassino in Italy is where the Benedictine Order is said to have been founded). “Benedictine brings a complex, herbaceous flavor profile to the Monte Cassino [thanks to its] 21 herbs and honey that provide balance and sweetness,” says Johnny Swet, founding partner of JIMMY at Modernhaus SoHo in Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. “The rye whiskey, along with the lemon juice, cuts through the sweetness [while] the Yellow Chartreuse provides a sharp yellow flavor that equals everything out.” Try your hand at making this creative interpretation at home.

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