Planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest? Whether you’re strolling through Portland’s rose gardens, soaking in Seattle’s moody Puget Sound views, or reveling in Vancouver’s perfect mix of nightlife and nature, these cities are brimming with character. To celebrate these urban legends, here are three cocktails inspired by their energy and charm. Think of it as a toast to the Northwest—no plane ticket required.
Seattle, Washington
The Last Word Cocktail
The Last Word is a gin-based cocktail that first saw the light of day at the Detroit Athletic Club in the 1910s, just before Prohibition put a damper on America’s drinking habits. So why does a sip of this classic make me think of Seattle? This cocktail will forever be linked to Seattle bartending legend Murray Stenson. After being lost to history for decades, The Last Word was resurrected and became a flagship of the early 2000s cocktail renaissance, all thanks to Stenson during his tenure at Seattle’s iconic Zig Zag Café. Though Murray passed away in 2023, his legacy lives on in the Seattle bar scene, where this drink is synonymous with his exceptional service and undeniable charm at some of the city’s top watering holes.
I’m using Seattle’s own OOLA Distillery ALOO Gin, a London Dry-style that carries this classic cocktail’s renowned balance of herbal, citrus, and cherry flavors. Here’s to Murray Stenson — may he always have the last word in Seattle.
Makes >> One cocktail
Ingredients
¾ ounce OOLA Distillery ALOO Gin
¾ ounce Green Chartreuse
¾ ounce maraschino liqueur
¾ ounce lime juice
Garnish
Brandy cherry, optional
Directions
Add the gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and lime juice to a shaker tin filled with ice. Shake vigorously until well chilled, then strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry and serve.
Glassware: RESERVE JULIEN CRYSTAL COUPE GLASS by Viski
Vancouver, British Columbia
The Vancouver Cocktail 2.0
This is a fresh twist on the classic Vancouver Cocktail, a Canadian gem born in the 1950s at Vancouver’s iconic Sylvia Hotel. Back in 1954, the Sylvia became the city’s first legally licensed cocktail bar, setting the stage for Vancouver’s now flourishing cocktail scene. Odd Society Spirits Wallflower Oaken Gin brings this cocktail up a notch by adding extra depth and complexity. Wallflower Oaken Gin uses 100% BC-grown barley and a medley of botanicals like elderflower, lavender, juniper and orange peel. After distillation, it is aged in oak whiskey barrels that infuse it with a smoky essence. These flavors harmonize beautifully with Wallflower’s botanicals, crafting a gin that begs to be experimented with in your favorite cocktails.
Makes >> One cocktail
Ingredients
1½ ounces Odd Society Spirits Wallflower Oaken Gin
¾ ounce sweet vermouth
¼ ounce Benedictine
3 dashes orange bitters
Garnish
Lemon twist
Directions
Add the gin, sweet vermouth, Benedictine and orange bitters to a mixing glass, fill with ice, and stir until well combined and chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Rim the glass with lemon peel and garnish.
Glassware: Raye Angled Crystal Nick & Nora Glass by Viski
Portland, Oregon
City of Roses Cocktail
Our last stop brings us to the City of Roses, where creativity bursts forth as vibrantly as its celebrated blooms. One of the city’s crown jewels is the Portland International Rose Test Garden, a spectacle with more than 10,000 rose bushes erupting in a kaleidoscope of colors from late May through October, showcasing more than 610 distinct varieties. While many of these roses are commercially accessible, the garden’s core mission remains testing new breeds — a tradition dating back to World War I, when hybridists sent their experimental blooms to Portland, solidifying its status as a top-tier rose sanctuary.
Channeling the sheer splendor of these blossoms, I’ve crafted a cocktail featuring Freeland Spirits Bourbon. Freeland Spirits is a standout, being one of the few women-owned-and-operated distilleries, and their bourbon perfectly encapsulates the essence of the city. This cocktail, a modern twist on the classic mint julep, pays homage to Portland’s vibrant and innovative soul, incorporating another local gem: The Tao of Tea’s Bollywood Tea.
Makes >> One cocktail
Ingredients
4 mint leaves
4 lemon balm leaves
½ ounces Bollywood Simple Syrup (Recipe Follows)
2½ ounces Freeland Spirits Bourbon
Garnish
Garden rose and lemon balm sprigs for garnish
Directions
Gently muddle the mint leaves, lemon balm leaves and Bollywood Simple Syrup in a julep cup or rocks glass. Fill the glass halfway with crushed ice. Pour the bourbon over the ice and stir gently to combine. Top with more crushed ice, creating a dome shape. Garnish with a garden rose and a sprig of lemon balm.
Bollywood Simple Syrup
Makes >> About 3/4 cup
Ingredients
2 teabags The Tao of Tea Bollywood Tea
½ cup water
½ cup sugar
Directions
Bring water to a boil, then add the teabags and remove from heat. Allow the tea to steep until it reaches room temperature, then strain and remove the tea bags. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Transfer mixture to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks.
Glasseware: Gatsby Tumbler by Viski
