Go Back
Bourbon Sazerac Cocktail Drink

Bourbon Sazerac Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Indulge in this simple Bourbon Sazerac recipe! Crafted with bourbon, absinthe, sugar, Peychaud’s bitters, and a twist of lemon, this bold & heartwarming cocktail is ideal for fall.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 174

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • ⅓ oz rich sugar syrup
  • 3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters
  • 2-3 barspoons of absinthe - to rinse the glass
  • Lemon peel - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Mixing Glass
  • Bar spoon or long stirrer
  • Cocktail Strainer

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Pour 2-3 barspoons of absinthe into the Old Fashioned glass. Swirl to coat the inside of the glass and fill with crushed ice. Set it aside.
  • Add Bitters: Pour 3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters into the mixing glass.
  • Add Sugar: Measure and pour ⅓ oz rich sugar syrup (2 parts sugar to 1 part water) into the mixing glass..
  • Add Bourbon: Finally, add 2 ounces of Bourbon to the mix.
  • Add Ice and Stir: Fill the mixing glass with ice. Using a bar spoon or a long stirrer, stir well (for about 15-20 seconds). Give it a taste and stir a bit more if you feel like more dilution is necessary.
  • Strain: Take your Old Fashioned glass and discard the crushed ice. Using the cocktail strainer, strain the drink into the chilled glass.
  • Garnish: Garnish with a lemon twist: express the lemon zest on top of the drink to release the oils and then discard it.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon on hand, rye whiskey is a traditional substitute that works well in this cocktail. It gives the drink a spicier edge compared to bourbon's sweet, full-bodied flavor.
  • Peychaud's Bitters: Angostura bitters can be used as a substitute, but remember that it will significantly alter the flavor profile. Peychaud's has a lighter, floral, and anise-like flavor, while Angostura is more robust and spicy.
  • Absinthe: Pernod or another pastis can rinse the glass if you're out of absinthe. These anise-flavored spirits will give a similar aromatic quality to the cocktail.

Making a Pitcher of Bourbon Sazerac:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher serving 8, multiply all ingredients by 8. That's 16 oz of bourbon, 4 oz of sugar syrup, and 16 dashes of Peychaud's bitters.
  • Mix: Pour the bourbon, the bitters and the sugar syrup in a large pitcher. Add some ice and stir well.
  • Serve: Rinse each Old Fashioned glass with absinthe, strain the mixture into the glasses, garnish with a lemon peel, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several on the market mimic the sweet, full-bodied flavor of bourbon.
  • Peychaud's Bitters Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic bitter or make a simple syrup infused with anise and a touch of bitterness from grapefruit juice.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. Just ensure that the sugar you're using is vegan (some sugars are processed using bone char).