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Sazerac Cocktail Drink

Sazerac Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Try this simple Sazerac recipe! Made with just rye whiskey, bitters, and a little absinthe, it's a New Orleans classic you'll want to make again and again.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 192

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Rye Whiskey
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • 2-3 dashes Peychaud's aromatic bitters
  • Absinthe - for rinse
  • Lemon twist - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Old Fashioned Glass
  • Mixing Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Spray some absinthe for rinse your Old Fashioned glass, ice it up and stir to evenly rinse the glass with the liquor.
  • Add Bitter: Add 2-3 dashes Peychaud's aromatic bitters to the mixing glass.
  • Add Simple Syrup: Add ½ oz simple syrup to the mixing glass.
  • Add Whiskey: Pour 2 oz Rye Whiskey into the mixing glass.
  • Stir Gently: Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes and stir the mixture gently with a bar spoon.
  • Empty the glass: discord the ice and the excess of absinthe from the old fashioned glass
  • Strain: Strain the mixture into your prepared Old Fashioned glass.
  • Garnish: Twist a lemon peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it into the glass.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Rye Whiskey: Bourbon is a sweeter alternative if you don't have Rye. I've also used cognac when I wanted to make it more French-inspired.
  • Peychaud's Bitters: Angostura bitters can replace Peychaud's, but it will change the drink's character. It's not the same, but it's still a good cocktail.
  • Absinthe: Pernod or Herbsaint can stand in for absinthe. They're both anise-flavored and do the job.

Making a Pitcher of Sazerac:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of rye whiskey, 4 oz of simple syrup, 8 sugar cubes, and 16-24 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher stir the ingredients except the absinthe with ice cubes. 
  • Serve: Rinse each Old Fashioned glass with absinthe as you normally would, then strain the mixture into the glasses. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Rye Whiskey Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic whiskey substitute. These are available and mimic the smoky, spicy flavors of Rye.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic Sazerac.

Making it Vegan:

  • Sugar syrup: Make sure to use vegan sugar, as some sugar is processed with bone char. Organic sugar is generally a safe bet for being vegan-friendly.