Sazerac

The Sazerac is a quintessential New Orleans classic, widely regarded as one of America's first cocktails. It features a bold, spirit-forward profile with a complex herbal finish provided by the absinthe rinse and signature Peychaud's bitters.

Base
whiskey
Difficulty
Medium
Glass
rocks
Strength
very high

Ingredients

  • 2 ozRye Whiskey(Modern standard, or use 1 oz Rye and 1 oz Cognac)
  • 1Sugar Cube(Can substitute with 1/4 oz simple syrup)
  • 3 dashesPeychaud's Bitters(Essential for the authentic New Orleans taste)
  • 1 tspAbsinthe(Used for rinsing the glass)

Garnish: Lemon peel expressed over the drink

Instructions

  1. 1Chill a rocks glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
  2. 2In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube with Peychaud's bitters until dissolved.
  3. 3Add the rye whiskey and fill the mixing glass with ice; stir until well-chilled.
  4. 4Discard the ice from the chilled rocks glass and coat the inside with absinthe, discarding any excess liquid.
  5. 5Strain the whiskey mixture into the absinthe-rinsed glass.
  6. 6Express the oils from a lemon peel over the surface of the drink and discard the peel.