THE Sazerac Cocktail

How to make a Sazerac, New Orleans’ official cocktail! Cognac, whiskey and absinthe make this famous drink with an incomparable taste.

Here’s a well-watered classic cocktail that’s one of the greats: the Sazerac! If you like spirits like Old Fashioned, this is for you. Instead of just whiskey and sugar, this one has an element of surprise: absinthe gives each sip a dark liquorice finish! This forbidden liquor is now back in good hands (at least since 2007), a reason to try this famous slow sipper. It’s the official drink of New Orleans and one of the oldest cocktails in existence.

What is a Sazerac?

The Sazerac is a low-ball cocktail made with cognac or rye whiskey, absinthe, and Peychaud bitters. The drink’s exact history is unclear, but it was invented in New Orleans in the mid-19th century. Some sources claim that Sazerac was invented by pharmacist Antoine Peychaud as early as 1838. Others claim Sazerac Coffee House owner Aaron Bird invented the drink in the 1850s. The name comes from the type of cognac from which it was originally made. Sazerac-de-Forge and Sons. Later, rye whiskey was used in place of cognac, and cocktails today use one or both.

This cocktail is on the International Bartender Association’s list of official IBA cocktails, meaning it has an ‘official’ definition. The ingredients of a Sazerac are:

• cognac
• Rye Whiskey
• absinthe
• A piece of sugar
• The bitters of Peychaud

Prepare it with cognac, rye whiskey or both

The first Sazerac cocktails were made with cognac: a brand called Sazerac. Around the 1870s, rye whiskey replaced cognac due to a pest ravaging vineyards in France. Today it can be prepared with both liqueurs: or with both! The official version of the IBA cocktail uses rye whiskey, but many sources say it was intended to be made with cognac.

Use both for the best flavor! We had cognac on hand after making the sidecar and other cognac cocktails and we love the taste combined with the tangy rye whiskey. (Plus, brandy is the most traditional.) But if you only have rye whiskey, just substitute brandy! You can also use bourbon to make a Bourbon Sazerac.

Was absinthe illegal? Is it worth buying today?

So… absinthe. It has a bit of history. In fact, it was illegal in the United States for almost 100 years! Famous painters like Degas, Manet and Picasso even immortalized it in their paintings. But don’t worry: today scientists have established that absinthe is absolutely safe when consumed in moderation. Bartenders in New Orleans used substitutes during Prohibition, but today you can make Sazerac with real. This is what you need to know about this special spirit:

• absinthe is a green anise flavored spirit made from plants: wormwood, anise, fennel and other herbs. It was illegal in the United States from 1912 to 2007. Why? Continue reading…
• How does absinthe taste? It tastes grassy, ​​with a strong black liquorice finish. A little goes a long way, so don’t be clumsy.
• Is absinthe hallucinogenic? nope! But that’s why it was illegal in Europe and the United States for almost 100 years. It became very popular in the 1840s but soon became unfairly associated with violent crime. Some claim it was invented by people who support the temperance movement. Either way, people started believing it: and the bans followed. Modern research has confirmed that absinthe is no more harmful than any other alcohol. Learn more about absinthe myths here!
• Is it worth buying? Yes, if you are an adventurous cocktail drinker! It is included in several classic absinthe cocktails such as Death in the Afternoon, La Louisiane and Corpse Reviver.
• Don’t have absinthe? Pastis or Pernod are good substitutes.

What are the Peychaud bitters?

Another special ingredient you need for Sazerac; Peychaud bitters! Bitter are liqueurs made from herbs and spices. They add intrigue and complexity to cocktails. Peychaud Bitters is the “secret” recipe originally used to make a Sazerac… and it’s still being made today! Here’s a little more about this ingredient:

• The bitters of Peychaud are unique but worth finding them for the Sazerac. The taste is slightly sweeter than Angostura bitters, the most popular type of bitter you may already have on hand. The taste has hints of anise and mint.
• Can Angostura bitters be substituted in a Sazerac? Purists claim that Sazerac should be made with Peychaud bitters. But if you only have Angostura, you can use that as well. Some people like to use both peychaud and angostura (like in a vieux carré).

How to make a Sazerac cocktail

Most bartenders prepare Sazerac in a special way: with 2 chilled spherical glasses. They swirl the absinthe in a chilled glass and then use the other glass to stir and chill the remaining ingredients, which they add back to the absinthe glass. After extensive taste testing, we found that it’s not really necessary for the home bartender. While a purist insists, we found it just as good simply mixed with absinthe in a mixing glass. Here’s what to do:

• Mix all ingredients in a cocktail glass. Why not a shaker like most cocktails? Shaking it in a cocktail shaker dilutes the drink: and in this case, you want it to be pure alcohol.
• You do not have ? Use any glass or container to mix the drink, then strain into the serving glass. If you want to look like someone who knows their cocktails, grab one cocktail glass.

The Sazerac is The Official cocktail of New Orleans, per a decision of the Louisiana legislature in 2008. But there are many other famous drinks associated with this city! Here are some other New Orleans cocktails to try, and the first two are Sazerac related drinks:

• Louisiana An improvement over the Sazerac (we think)! Absinthe, rye whiskey and vermouth make this avant-garde cocktail a stunner.
• Vieux Carré A 1930’s New Orleans classic! It is powerful and easy to drink, with rye whiskey, cognac and vermouth.
• Milk Punch A brandy cocktail made with milk and sugar! Cold and creamy, it’s suitable for brunch or in the evening (a popular New Orleans brunch spot).
• Pimm’s Cup This bright, bubbly drink originated in London but is also popular in New Orleans.

When to serve a Sazerac

The Sazerac is an ideal alcoholic cocktail for lovers of cognac, rye and old fashioned. It’s perfect for sipping as:

• Happy hour drink
• Drink at dinner
• Late night drinks
• Evening drink between boys or between girls
• Aperitif at aperitif time