Sazerac co*cktail Recipe (2024)

  • Whiskey

A timeless NOLA classic made from rye, absinthe, and Peychaud's bitters.

By

Paul Clarke

Paul Clarke

Paul Clarke blogs about co*cktails at The co*cktail Chronicles and writes regularly on spirits and co*cktails for Imbibe magazine. He lives in Seattle, where he works as a writer and magazine editor.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated February 13, 2024

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Sazerac co*cktail Recipe (1)

Why It Works

  • Thoroughly chilling the glass in the freezer helps the absinthe or Herbsaint coat the interior surface (and keeps the co*cktail cold as you sip it).
  • Rinsing the glass with absinthe or Herbsaint and then pouring out the excess—a novel co*cktail mixing technique when the sazerac was first created—increases the olfactory perception of the anise-flavored liqueur without overwhelming the rye and bitters.
  • Stirring the co*cktail with an ample amount of ice for 30 seconds results in a well-chilled drink at the perfect level of dilution.

In 1934, just after the end of prohibition, aNew Orleans pharmacist named J.M. Legendreintroduced a product designed to appeal to that city's residents' long-time taste for theanise-flavored absinthe,which had been banned in 1912.

Dubbed "Legendre Absinthe," the spirit—which, contrary to the label, was not an actual absinthe, but rather a wormwood-free substitute—quickly drew the attention of a disapproving federal government, who required him to change the name. Re-released asHerbsaint, the potent spirit has been produced ever since.

Sazerac co*cktail Recipe (2)

Except, asFlorence Fabricantonce recounted in theNew York Times, a few things have changed over the years. A favorite in co*cktails such as theSazerac,Herbsaint was sold to the Sazerac Company(makers ofPeychaud's bittersand other spirits) in 1949, and its formula was adjusted, making the product a lower 90 proof and the flavor a heavier hit of oily star anise.

The return of absinthe to the market has renewed interest in the early Herbsaint, and with assistance from Houston-based Herbsaint collectorJay Hendrickson(profiled by Robert Simonson forImbibe),Sazerac released a version of Herbsaint made from the 1930s formula,complete with a label based on the original.

I had a taste of this new-but-old formulaand came away impressed. Like other absinthe substitutes such as Pernod and Ricard, the 1949 version of Herbsaint had a flavor heavy with star anise (which closely resembles black licorice),but also a sharp, crisp finish, which made it a useful co*cktail ingredient.

The vintage-styled Herbsaint, however, has a more gentle, floral anise flavor mixed with anherbaceous complexity,and bottled at 100 proof, it offers a more potent delivery of flavor that could prove especially useful in New Orleans classics such as aco*cktail à la Louisiane. Absinthe is now a staple in my liquor cabinet for many such drinks, but with a flavor that's strikingly similar to classic absinthes and being reasonably priced, this Herbsaint replica has earned a spot at the bar. I especially like the old-timey version in a Sazerac.

Credited as being among the first true co*cktails, the Sazerac is a New Orleans original. As stiff as they come, it combines rye, absinthe, and Peychaud's bitters and is served, unusually, in a rocks glass without ice. One sip of its hazy, lusty character tells you everything you need to know about living the good life.

July 2007

Recipe Details

Sazerac co*cktail

Prep5 mins

Active3 mins

Total5 mins

Serves1 serving

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 3 or 4 dashes Peychaud's Bitters

  • A few drops water

  • 2 ounces rye whiskey (such as Sazerac Rye)

  • 1 teaspoonHerbsaint, Pernod, pastis, or absinthe

  • Lemon peel

Directions

  1. Chill an old fashioned glass or small tumbler in your freezer.

    Sazerac co*cktail Recipe (3)

  2. In a mixing glass, combine sugar, Peychaud’s Bitters, and a few drops of water. Mix until sugar is dissolved, and add rye. Add plenty of ice, and stir for about 30 seconds.

    Sazerac co*cktail Recipe (4)

  3. Pour Herbsaint, pastis, or absinthe into your chilled glass, and rotate glass until the inside is well coated; discard the excess. Strain the liquid from your mixing glass into the serving glass. Twist a piece of lemon peel over the drink. Indulge.

    Sazerac co*cktail Recipe (5)

Special Equipment

Mixing glass, co*cktail strainer

Read More

  • co*cktail à la Louisiane
  • Vieux Carré
  • Ramos Fizz
  • The Serious Eats Guide to Essential co*cktail Techniques
  • Mata Hari Absinthe: The First Czech-Bohemian Absinthe on U.S. Market
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
166Calories
0g Fat
5g Carbs
0g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories166
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 1mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 5g2%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 6mg32%
Calcium 7mg1%
Iron 0mg0%
Potassium 9mg0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Sazerac co*cktail Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you shake or stir a Sazerac? ›

Peychaud, who was quite fond of this drink, then opened the Sazerac Coffee House (euphemism for saloon) on Exchange Alley. You will need a good Rye Whiskey and Peychaud bitters to make this drink. Stir it 30 – 40 times to make it nice and cold. Strain the drink and pour into a chilled glass coated with Herbsaint.

Should a Sazerac have ice? ›

The Dos and Donts of Sazeracs
  1. Do use a single dash of Angostura bitters in your Sazeracs. ...
  2. Do not use orange bitters in a Sazerac. ...
  3. Do stir the drink gently with ice.
  4. Do not shake your Sazerac. ...
  5. Do not serve a Sazerac on the rocks.
  6. Do not serve a Sazerac in a co*cktail glass.
Mar 28, 2008

What is the oldest co*cktail in America? ›

The Sazerac is considered by many to be America's oldest co*cktail. Made with rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, absinthe, sugar, and a lemon peel, it's a true classic.

Which absinthe is best for Sazerac? ›

Vieux Carré Absinthe Supérieure is made by Philadelphia Distilling and works extremely well in a Sazerac co*cktail. The first step in a Sazerac involves rinsing a glass with absinthe to impart flavor without actually adding the spirit to the drink.

Why stir a co*cktail instead of shake? ›

Stirring allows ingredients that readily blend together to do so. It dilutes the co*cktail, making it more palatable, while chilling your drink. In contrast, a shaken co*cktail should pour out looking a little carbonated or aerated. You might see ice chips floating around from aggressively shaking the cubes.

What is the difference between an Old Fashioned and a Sazerac? ›

An Old Fashioned contains Bourbon, while the Sazerac favors rye whiskey. Both contain sugar and bitters, but a traditional Old Fashioned tends to use Angostura bitters. while the Sazerac demands New Orleans's own Peychaud's Bitters, which was integral in the creation of the drink.

Can you drink Sazerac on the rocks? ›

Sazeracs are served up, i.e. not on ice, but in a rocks glass which is fairly unusual. It's quite nice though, because if you have any cute glasses which are too small for Old Fashioneds, now is their time to shine! Prepare a small coin of lemon peel.

Does Sazerac taste like Old Fashioned? ›

The Old Fashioned is known to traditionally call on bourbon as its base, while the modern Sazerac favors rye whiskey. Bourbon tends to be sweeter, while the rye offers a more peppery profile. The reason this choice works so well for the Sazerac has to do with the drink's absinthe rinse.

Can you drink Sazerac rye on the rocks? ›

While sazeracs are usually served “up,” some Hoosiers prefer them “on the rocks.” Zydeco's create them either way. Up-pack an old-fashioned glass with ice. In a second old-fashioned glass, mix the whiskey and syrup.

What is most ordered co*cktail in the world? ›

1.OLD FASHIONED

The Old Fashioned is timeless. This simple classic made with rye or bourbon, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, a thick cube of ice, and an orange twist delivers every time. That's it — the most popular co*cktail in the world.

What is the most ordered co*cktail in America? ›

Margarita

The classic Margarita co*cktail has been one of the most popular co*cktails in America for years and still remains on top.

What is a 70s co*cktail? ›

Amid the menu's usual suspects — Martini, Manhattan, Americano, and Negroni — lurked a mind-boggling showing of drinks that originated or were popularized during the 1970s: Amaretto Sour, White Russian, Tequila Sunrise, and — it can't be! — an Alabama Slammer. We ordered our usuals plus a Slammer for the table.

What cognac is best for Sazerac? ›

Here are ten of the best bottles to snag for your Sazerac co*cktail, according to Malik.
  • This history of Cognac Sazerac. ...
  • Stick with tradition with Pierre Ferrand 1840 Original Formula Grande Champagne. ...
  • Try a small-batch producer with Vallein Tercinier Cognac 46 XO. ...
  • Get great value when you buy Paul Beau VSOP.
Mar 31, 2023

What is the best rye whiskey for a Sazerac? ›

The Seven Best Ryes for Sazeracs, Ranked
  • Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye.
  • George Dickel Rye.
  • Templeton Rye.
  • Bulleit Rye.
  • Old Overholt Rye.
  • Hochstadter's Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey.
  • Sazerac 6-Year Rye.
Jan 31, 2018

What is the secret ingredient in absinthe? ›

Wormwood, or artemisia absinthium, the plant that gives absinthe its name, does contain a chemical compound called thujone that allegedly has hallucinogenic properties. But the thujone content of absinthe is – and always was – so low that you'd pass out or die of alcohol poisoning long before you felt those affects.

Is Sazerac shaken? ›

Stir it up—Sazerac experts insist on stirring the co*cktail between 30 to 40 times after the whiskey is added to be sure the sugar cube dissolves completely. Take your time—Slowly swirl the absinth around the entire glass to be sure it's entirely coated before discarding.

How do you serve a Sazerac? ›

Do you shake or stir bourbon? ›

In co*cktails, sometimes you do shake bourbon and sometimes you don't. It depends not on the bourbon but on what the other ingredients are. The general guideline is that co*cktails with fruit juice, dairy, and emulsifiers like egg white or aquafaba are shaken. co*cktails without these ingredients are typically stirred.

Do you shake or stir a screwdriver? ›

Do you shake screwdriver? Whilst originally stirred with a screwdriver (out of necessity, not for taste!), the Screwdriver co*cktail is simply a mix of vodka and orange juice, so it can be shaken or stirred.

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