Experience the classic charm of this timeless Sazerac Cocktail. This recipe features robust cognac, absinthe, aromatic bitters and a touch of sweetness from cane sugar and syrup.
A Sazerac cocktail is rumored to have originated in 19th century New Orleans and claims to be one of America’s oldest known cocktails. Composition-wise, it is a close cousin of the Old Fashioned, except it used to feature cognac instead of rye whiskey in the early days.
Over the years, the recipe has evolved – and nowadays, it’s typically made with rye whiskey, absinthe, bitters and sugar.
What Is A Sazerac Cocktail?
In the mid 1800s, a new brand of cognac was imported into New Orleans – the Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils. A local bar owner (Aaron Bird, of Sazerac Coffee House) took this French liquor and combined it with bitters made by a local pharmacist (Antoine Peychaud), to craft a new cocktail called the Sazerac.
The original recipe called for Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils, absinthe, Peychaud’s bitters, a sugar cube, and a lemon peel for garnish. However, over the years, the composition of this drink evolved to adapt to the change in availability of the ingredients.
Most notably, in the late 1800s, a Grape Phylloxera plague in Europe devastated the wine vineyards in France and made the Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils hard to come by. Around this time, the Sazerac cocktail pivoted from being a cognac based cocktail to a rye whiskey based cocktail – due to shortages of the French liquor.
Additionally, absinthe was banned in the US in the early 1900s due to suspicions that the liquid was hallucinogenic. During this time, the Sazerac cocktail evolved to supplant absinthe with Herbsaint, a local anise-flavored liqueur. The ban subsequently lifted in the late 1990s and the Sazerac slowly started to bring back absinthe into the mix.
In this recipe, we’ll try to stay as close to the original recipe as possible – of course, with a slight Umamiology twist, that is.
The Ingredients For A Sazerac Cocktail
- 1.5 oz Sazerac Rye Whiskey
- 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- 2 teaspoons Absinthe (for rinse)
- 1 Sugar Cube
- 2 drops Woodinville Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
The Equipment Needed
- Whiskey Glass
- Stirring Spoon
- Peeler
How To Make A Sazerac Cocktail
Start with a mixing glass. In that glass, add in your sugar cube, Peychaud’s bitters and only 2 drops of Woodinville Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup.
Muddle the ingredients until the sugar dissolves and forms a smooth paste.
To that, add 2 ounces of the Sazerac Rye Whiskey, and fill up the remaining volume of the glass with ice.
Now, give everything a good stir and set aside.
Next, bring out a chilled whiskey glass and rinse the inside of the glass with 2 teaspoons of Absinthe. Discard the excess when finished.
Then take your Sazerac mixture from the first cup and strain it into the new chilled whiskey glass rinsed with absinthe.
Afterwards, take a lemon peel and squeeze it over the whiskey glass to release the aromatic oils into the cocktail.
Lastly, twist that same lemon peel and garnish over the top of the whiskey glass.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Equipment
- Peeler
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Sazerac Rye Whiskey
- 3 dashes Peychaund's Bitters
- 2 teaspoons Absinthe, (for rinse)
- 1 Sugar Cube
- 2 drops Woodinville Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
Instructions
How To Make A Sazerac Cocktail
- Start with a mixing glass. In that glass, add in your sugar cube, Peychaud’s bitters and only 2 drops of Woodinville Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup.
- Muddle the ingredients until the sugar dissolves and forms a smooth paste.
- To that, add 2 ounces of the Sazerac Rye Whiskey, and fill up the remaining volume of the glass with ice.
- Now, give everything a good stir and set aside.
- Next, bring out a chilled whiskey glass and rinse the inside of the glass with 2 teaspoons of Absinthe. Discard the excess when finished.
- Then take your Sazerac mixture from the first cup and strain it into the new chilled whiskey glass rinsed with absinthe.
- Afterwards, take a lemon peel and squeeze it over the whiskey glass to release the aromatic oils into the cocktail.
- Lastly, twist that same lemon peel and garnish over the top of the whiskey glass.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is just an estimate derived by an online calculation tool.
FAQ
What is a Sazerac cocktail?
A Sazerac is a classic whiskey cocktail that originated in New Orleans back in the early 19th century. It typically contains whiskey, absinthe and Peychaund’s bitters.
What is the difference between an Old Fashioned and a Sazerac?
The major difference is the type of whiskey used – Old Fashioneds use bourbon typically and Sazaracs contain rye whiskey.
Seesee
I love a good whiskey / bourbon drink, but how did I not know of this one until now? Thanks for a great mixed drink recipe. Really like the maple syrup tip too – pairs real well with the drink.
Umamiology
Yes sazeracs are fantastic cocktails!