Sazerac
A New Orleans rye whiskey classic with bitters and an absinthe rinse.
Drink details
Glass
Old Fashioned Glass
Ice
No Ice
Method
Stirred
Strength
Strong
Servings
1
Recipe
Ingredients
Cognac
50 ml
Sugar
Dissolve
1 cube
Peychaud's Bitters
2 dashes
Absinthe
Rinse glass and discard excess
10 ml
Garnish
Lemon Peel
Express oils
1 piece
Rating
Rate this drink
Method
Preparation
- 1
Rinse a chilled Old Fashioned glass with the absinthe, add crushed ice and set aside.
- 2
Stir the Cognac, sugar and Peychaud's bitters with ice in a mixing glass.
- 3
Discard the ice and excess absinthe from the prepared glass, then strain the cocktail into it.
- 4
Garnish with lemon peel.
About the Sazerac
The Sazerac is a historic New Orleans cocktail built around rye whiskey, sugar, Peychaud's bitters and an absinthe rinse. Rather than adding absinthe directly to the drink, the serving glass is coated with a small amount, contributing aroma and anise character without overwhelming the whiskey. Sugar softens the rye, while Peychaud's bitters add distinctive spice and complexity. The Sazerac is intensely aromatic, spirit-forward and closely associated with the cocktail culture of New Orleans.
What does a Sazerac taste like?
A Sazerac tastes dry, warming and intensely aromatic. Rye whiskey provides spice and structure, Peychaud's bitters add herbal and anise-like complexity, and the absinthe rinse contributes a distinctive aromatic layer. Sugar rounds the edges without making the drink noticeably sweet.
Tips for making a Sazerac
Coat the chilled serving glass with absinthe and discard the excess rather than leaving a pool in the bottom. Dissolve the sugar thoroughly with the bitters before adding the rye. Stir the whiskey mixture with ice until chilled, then strain into the prepared glass and express the lemon peel over the surface.
