SazeracCocktail recipe
Rating
Microbadges
Lowball glass
Ingredients
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
The Sazerac encapsulates a symphony of bold flavors, where the herbal zip of absinthe creates a compelling dance with the rich, robust notes of cognac. Its unique preparation—coating the glass with absinthe and blending the sweetness of sugar with the spice-infused nuances of Peychaud's bitters—underscores its status as a New Orleans icon, delivering a deeply aromatic experience that is both storied and sophisticated.
Method
How to make a Sazerac
-
- Take a chilled lowball glass and swirl the absinthe around the sides to coat the glass, and fill with ice
-
- In a mixing glass muddle the bitters and sugar, then add the cognac and stir to combine
-
- Disgard the ice and excess liquid from the glass and pour in the mixed drink
-
- Garnish with a lemon peel and serve
Your private tasting notes
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Featured in
Step back in time to the roaring 1920s, an era of jazz, flappers, and clandestine speakeasies, with our exclusive collection...
FAQ's
What is the history behind the Sazerac cocktail?
The Sazerac cocktail is considered by many to be the first American cocktail, with its origins dating back to the early 19th century in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was originally made with Cognac and bitters from the pharmacy of Antoine Amedee Peychaud and was named after the Sazerac Coffee House, where it was first served. The use of Absinthe or an Absinthe substitute and the switch to rye whiskey or bourbon are later modifications to the original recipe.
Why is Absinthe used in a Sazerac?
Absinthe is used in a Sazerac for its distinct botanical flavor, which lends a complex herbal note to the cocktail. Though it is used in small amounts, Absinthe's strong anise flavor plays a crucial role in defining the signature taste of the Sazerac. It is traditionally swirled around the glass to coat it before being discarded or left in, imparting just a hint of its character to the drink.
Can I use whiskey instead of Cognac in a Sazerac?
Yes, you can use whiskey instead of Cognac in a Sazerac. In fact, rye whiskey is a very common and popular choice for making a Sazerac, especially in the United States. The substitution likely started due to a phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th century that devastated grape crops in Europe, making Cognac hard to obtain. Rye whiskey offers a spicier, more robust flavor profile, which complements the other ingredients well.
What makes Peychaud's Bitters special in a Sazerac?
Peychaud's Bitters are a key ingredient that gives the Sazerac its signature flavor. Created by Antoine Amedee Peychaud in the 1830s in New Orleans, these bitters are a blend of gentian, herbs, and spices. Their unique flavor profile, characterized by light anise and floral notes, distinguishes a Sazerac from other cocktails. Peychaud's Bitters are not only a historical component but also essential in achieving the authentic taste of the drink.
How do I properly serve a Sazerac?
To properly serve a Sazerac, start by chilling a lowball glass. Then, swirl a small amount of Absinthe in the glass to coat the inside before discarding the excess (or leaving it in for a stronger flavor). In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube with Peychaud's Bitters, then add the Cognac or rye whiskey. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir until well chilled. Strain the mixture into the prepared glass. Traditionally, a lemon peel is rubbed around the rim of the glass and then twisted over the drink to express its oils before being dropped in as a garnish.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A pesonalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Olympic Cocktails and More
Discover a host of cocktails inspired by the Paris 2024 Olympics, meet the bartenders behind the cocktails and win yourself some juicy Amazon vouchers.
Our Olympic Cocktail HubYou might also like
Green Swizzle
The Green Swizzle cocktail is an invigorating blend of flavors that takes your taste buds on a tropical adventure. With...
Aunt Roberta
The Aunt Roberta cocktail is a potent concoction that blends the warming notes of brandy with the clarity of vodka,...
Turf Club
The Turf Club is a classic cocktail that blurs the lines between sweet, herbal, and aromatic flavor realms, making it...
Bernice
The Bernice cocktail is an intriguing blend that promises a unique tasting experience, marked by its bold and aromatic flavor...
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me A Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me A Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Comments
No comments yet…
You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register