Classic Sazerac Cocktail Recipe

 

This post is going to show you exactly how to make the classic Sazerac cocktail from New Orleans!

Created in the mid-19th century by a man named Antoine Peychaud, the Sazerac cocktail has remained a classic to this day. Antoine loved combining herbal flavors of bitters from his pharmacy with his favorite spirits.

The Sazerac cocktail originally was made with cognac. Antoine coined the name Sazerac from his favorite French Sazerac cognac. A man named Aaron Bird ended up running this cocktail at his bar in New Orleans which is how its popularity spread. Over the years there was a shortage of cognac, and rye whiskey was the spirit that came in to save the day. Rye whiskey is what we will be using in this recipe!

Classic cocktails such as the Sazerac are simple, yet have a profound taste that lingers on the mind for years to come. If you’re a fan of Manhattans, Old Fashions, Boulevardiers, and other spirit forward cocktails, then this is the cocktail for you! Let’s get right into it. This is the:

“Sazerac” 

What You Will Need

Alcohol:

The base of this Sazerac cocktail is going to be rye whiskey! I have chosen to go with the 6 Year Sazerac Rye. As I mentioned in the intro, this cocktail was originally made with cognac. I prefer using the adapted version with rye whiskey because I love how the spice and zest mix in with the herbal notes of the bitters we will be using. If you are a cognac lover, or even a bourbon lover, you can totally replace the base spirit to your liking! I love this rye because of its spice, licorice kick, orange zest flavor, and smooth texture. It is actually an affordable price and a fun rye to have in your home bar for mixing cocktails with! I got my bottle from Total Wine and More.

Over the years as the Sazerac cocktail was adapted, absinthe found its way into the mix! Although not much is used in this recipe, it is the scent, and slight pop of flavor that really adds another dimension to the experience. The absinthe that I usually have on hand in the home bar is Pernod Aux Extract d’Absinthe. Although a little more pricey, it will last you a good long while! The anise flavor shines through beautifully with hints of sage and mace. I picked up my bottle at Total Wine and More! For this recipe we will just be rinsing the glass. I used a miniature spray bottle I bought at Target.

You can also find great Atomizer’s for rinsing cocktails on Amazon, I will link one RIGHT HERE! Rinsing the inside of the glass with absinthe gives the cocktail a little extra flavor and fills your nose with a strong aroma of anise before you take your first sip. Drinking a Sazerac is a timeless experience and this small step makes all the difference!

If you do not have an atomizer on hand you can also add a very small amount of absinthe into the glass and swish it around coating the inside of the glass. This should give you the same effect!

So you already know Mr. Antoine Peychaud wouldn’t use any other bitters in this cocktail other than his own creation! That’s right, this cocktails most memorable ingredient is the delicious Peychaud’s Bitters! This bitter pairs so well with the spicy rye whiskey we are using and the rinse of absinthe. Peychaud’s give you a sweet and bitter flavor with notes of cinnamon, cloves, anise, vanilla, and caramel. It is truly unique and a wonderful addition to this cocktail, and many others. I definitely think this bitter is a must have at your home bar! I got my bottle at Total Wine and More, but you can find this at Bevmo, Liquor Stores, and some Grocery Stores! Peychaud’s can also be found on Amazon RIGHT HERE!

Citrus and Syrup:

There is no citrus that will be going into the making of this Sazerac cocktail, but there is still a very important step which includes citrus! The famous garnish on the Sazerac is a Lemon Peel. You will want to make sure you express a lemon peel over the top of the cocktail and around the rim.

Use a Y-Peeler to get yourself a nice thick peel. Take that peel and fold it in half right over the top of your cocktail like in the photo above.  This releases the oils and brightens an overall spirit forward cocktail. I love the fresh smell of lemon oils you get when you bring the cocktail up to your mouth for a taste! The lemon oil will mix with the aroma of anise from the absinthe and you already have a complex experience.

Originally this cocktail used a sugar cube to attain its sweetness. Using sugar cubes in classic cocktails is a preference. When you use sugar cubes the texture of the cocktail is a bit grainy, but your drink will get sweeter as you sip it. The idea is that your experience with each sip is a little different. The last sip will be the sweetest which may lead you to wanting to order another cocktail.

I prefer using a Demerara Simple Syrup in this cocktail. Like I said, it is a personal preference so please use whatever you love! I find that using a syrup creates a smooth consistency in the cocktail and gives you an evenly sweet sip every time. I used a Raw Cane Turbinado Sugar to create my demerara syrup!

Demerara Simple Syrup

Ratio: 2:1

This demerara syrup uses a 2:1 ratio. This means that it uses 2 parts turbinado sugar to 1 part hot water. This syrup will stay good in the fridge for up to a month! If you plan on making lots of cocktails over the month or have a party planned then make a larger batch!

• In pot on stove bring desired amount of water to a slight boil
• Once the water is at a slight boil, add in twice as much turbinado sugar as there was water
• Lower the heat, you do not want to boil the sugar
• Gently mix until you have a syrup like consistency as pictured above
• Turn off the heat and let cool
• Store, label, date, and you’re done!

I love to store my syrups and juices in glass bottles as pictured above! They are easy to store, simple to use, fit pour spouts in perfectly, and add a professional look to your home bar. I found a perfect set on Amazon that includes labels, pour spouts, tops, and more! Check it out RIGHT HERE! Always remember to label, date, and taste your product before using it in your creations. You want to make sure you’re serving yourself and friends the best!

Bar Supplies:

Since this cocktail is spirit forward and does not contain any citrus we will be using a Mixing Glass and a Bar Spoon to chill and dilute this Sazerac cocktail! When you stir a cocktail in a mixing glass the flavors remain bold and intact. There is far less dilution than there is in shaking. The texture of the cocktail remains smooth and silky when you stir opposed to when you shake and break pieces of ice into the cocktail. I absolutely love stirred drinks! A mixing glass and bar spoon are both essentials to have at your home bar! You can check out a mixing glass identical to mine RIGHT HERE!

Bar Spoons are easy to find at some stores such as Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, Total Wine and More, and Bevmo. You can also check them out on Amazon RIGHT HERE!

The technique I use for stirring my cocktails in a mixing glass is shown in the photo above. I like to hold the spoon in my dominant hand balanced between my middle and ring finger. Always have the backside of the spoon facing the outside of the glass. I use my thumb and index finger to guide the spoon in circles along the perimeter of the glass. Practice this slowly at first and in no time you will be able to pick up speed!

A pro tip to know when to stop stirring your cocktail is when condensation starts to form on the outside of your mixing glass. You will also be able to tell when the ice starts to lose form and sink deeper into the liquid contents of your mixing glass.

To measure out our ingredients for this Sazerac cocktail we will need a Bar Jigger! Bar jiggers are used to make sure a cocktail is consistent, balanced, and beautiful. This is definitely a must have bar essential! My bar jigger in the photo above ranges from 1/4 oz to 2 oz. To get yourself one just like mine you can check it out RIGHT HERE on Amazon!

I do have to say that when I first started bartending I used a jigger that was a bit more elementary. It really helped me build my skills, and get more comfortable with my pouring technique! If you are a beginner I cannot recommend this jigger more! I will link the exact jigger I used in the early days RIGHT HERE! You will find that it only has one side, has a pour spout, and very easy to read measurement lines. Cheers to learning new skills!

Lastly you will need a Julep Strainer to strain your Sazerac cocktail from the mixing glass into your glassware! Julep strainers are typically used with mixing glasses because they fit perfectly inside the glass. You need to keep the julep strainer at a downward angle balanced with your index finger as you pour the contents into your glassware. Make sure you have a firm grip on your mixing glass with your thumb as you hover above your delicate glass! If you want a Julep Strainer just like mine check out this link RIGHT HERE on Amazon.

I do recommend that if you are starting to create multiple cocktails at home, you should invest in your own personal Bartending Kit. Most come with everything you will need as a beginner while others provide several items for more complex creations. I will put links to both a beginners set, and a more advanced set on Amazon below!

Beginners Kit : HERE

Advanced Kit : HERE.

Let’s Build!