History & Heritage
“The Sazerac traces its lineage to 1850s New Orleans, where apothecary Antoine Peychaud mixed his namesake bitters with French brandy and sugar for patrons at the Sazerac Coffee House. After a phylloxera blight decimated cognac supplies in the 1870s, bartenders switched to local rye whiskey and later added an absinthe rinse, cementing the drink as a stiff, aromatic emblem of the Crescent City. In 2008 it was declared the official cocktail of New Orleans.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Rinse a chilled rocks glass with absinthe and dump the excess
In a separate mixing glass, stir rye, syrup, and bitters with ice until well chilled
Strain into the prepared glass without ice
Express a lemon peel over the surface and discard
Glassware
Served neat in an absinthe-rinsed rocks glass
Garnish
Expressed and discarded
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Chill both the mixing glass and serving glass for a silky texture
Use just a thin coating of absinthe—too much overwhelms
Do not add ice to the finished drink; it should be served neat
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Sazerac.
Herbsaint Rinse
New Orleans-produced Herbsaint replaces absinthe for a softer anise note.
Changes
Sugar Cube Method
Traditional build using a sugar cube muddled with bitters instead of syrup.
Changes
Cognac Sazerac
Returns to the drink's roots with French brandy as the base spirit.
Changes
Rum Sazerac
Aged rum offers a molasses-rich spin on the classic template.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Cognac Sazerac
The original incarnation of what is arguably America's first cocktail, a cornerstone of classic mixology born in the spirited heart of 19th-century New Orleans.
Remember the Maine
A Cuba‑tinged Manhattan riff—high‑proof rye with sweet vermouth, Cherry Heering, and an absinthe rinse for an anise‑kissed finish.
Bourbon Vieux Carré
A timeless New Orleans classic that beautifully encapsulates the city's multicultural heritage. This sophisticated cocktail masterfully blends American rye whiskey, French cognac and Bénédictine, Italian sweet vermouth, and Creole bitters for a harmonious and richly layered experience.