Go Back

Sazerac Recipe

The Sazerac is a revered New Orleans cocktail, featuring rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, and a touch of sugar, all brightened by a lemon twist. The distinctive aromatic absinthe rinse in the chilled glass is crucial, creating a sophisticated and balanced drink perfect for sipping.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings: 1 people
Course: lunch/dinner
Cuisine: world
Calories: 174.4
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 3 or 4 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
  • a few drops water
  • 2 ounces rye whiskey such as Sazerac Rye
  • 1 teaspoon Herbsaint Pernod, pastis, or absinthe
  • lemon peel

Equipment

  • 1 Mixing Glass
  • 1 Jigger
  • 1 Bar Spoon
  • 1 Old Fashioned Glass
  • 1 Vegetable Peeler or Paring Knife for lemon twist

Method
 

  1. Chill an Old Fashioned glass by filling it with ice and adding 1 teaspoon of Herbsaint, Pernod, pastis, or absinthe. Swirl to coat the glass, then set aside.
  2. In a separate mixing glass, combine 1 teaspoon of sugar with 3 or 4 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters and a few drops of water. Muddle or stir until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Add 2 ounces of rye whiskey to the mixing glass with the sugar and bitters mixture.
  4. Fill the mixing glass with fresh ice.
  5. Stir the cocktail vigorously with a bar spoon for about 30 seconds, until well-chilled and properly diluted.
  6. Discard the ice and the absinthe rinse from the chilled Old Fashioned glass.
  7. Strain the cocktail mixture from the mixing glass into the prepared Old Fashioned glass. Do not add fresh ice to the serving glass for a traditional Sazerac.
  8. Take a large piece of lemon peel. Express its oils over the surface of the drink by twisting it between your fingers.
  9. Rub the expressed lemon peel around the rim of the glass.
  10. Garnish the cocktail with the expressed lemon peel.

Notes

Achieving the perfect Sazerac hinges on balance and technique. Always chill your serving glass thoroughly, ideally with ice, and then an absinthe rinse for that aromatic hint. The quality of your rye whiskey is paramount; select one with character. When muddling the sugar and bitters, ensure the sugar is fully dissolved before adding ice. Stir the cocktail until well-chilled but avoid over-dilution. For the lemon twist, express the oils over the drink before dropping it in or discarding, providing a bright citrus aroma that beautifully complements the rye and anise notes.