Sazerac
A New Orleans staple, the Sazerac is basically an Old Fashioned with Cognac and more thrown in for good measure. And like the Old Fashioned, it's pretty easy to make if you have the ingredients on hand.The original version of this cocktail only used Cognac rather than both Whiskey and Cognac. Even more, some modern versions of this mixed drink get rid of the Cognac all together and only use Whiskey. You're welcome to go in whatever direction you'd like to suit your taste. That's half the fun.This is a tasty cocktail for people who want to have a little bit more than an Old Fashioned, so go and make one.
Ingredients
- 40 mL Rye or Bourbon
- 40 mL Cognac
- 15 mL Simple Syrup*
- 3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- Absinthe to rinse glass.
- Garnish with lemon peel
Instructions
- Rinse a rocks glass with Absinthe and set aside.
- Muddle the Simple Syrup with both bitters in mixing glass.
- Add Rye and Cognac to the mixing glass and stir with ice until things are cold.
- Strain neat into your rocks glass.
- Rub lemon peel on the rim of your glass, then place it in the drink.
- Enjoy.
Notes
*To make your own Simple Syrup at home, see the recipe here.
Use a good Rye for this to make sure you get the best out of this cocktail. This is a variation on the Old Fashion, and it's clear it's very Rye forward, so don't waste it!
This cocktail is older than old, so you can imagine there are some variations on the recipe as well as some different stories on how this drink came to be. Some even say that the Sazerac is the oldest American cocktail, which feels doubtful. While it could be, modern recipes, especially recipes that contain Whiskey have obviously changed things a fair bit.
What is known about this drink though is that it's the official cocktail of New Orleans. For some reason this idea was originally shot down by the government, but later approved.