Sazerac: A New Orleans Legacy

The Sazerac was born in the heart of New Orleans and is a rather complex, story-laden cocktail hailing from the 19th century. This drink, comprising Rye Whiskey, Peychaud's Bitters, sugar, and absinthe, is an aromatic and potent mix that has made it an iconic element in American mixology.

The Sazerac is a true testament to New Orleans' cocktail heritage, with a complex and layered drink that is steeped in history. The cocktail begins with Rye Whiskey, known for its spicy and bold character, providing a robust foundation. A Sugar Cube is muddled with Peychaud's Bitters, created by Antoine Peychaud, a Creole apothecary who arrived in New Orleans in the early 19th century. These bitters provide a distinctive floral and somewhat sweet bitterness that is fundamental to the profile of the Sazerac. The glass is then rinsed with absinthe, or a stand-in such as Herbsaint or pastis, that brings heady anise aroma and a subtle flavor to underpin the other ingredients. Finally, the drink is finished with the expression of oils from a lemon peel, adding a final touch of citrus complexity and aromatic lift.

These ingredients come together to bring out a really inviting sensory experience: the rye is bold and full-bodied, Peychaud's Bitters introduce very distinct aromatic bitters, the absinthe rinse adds a layering of anise to tie together, and finally, the citrus oils of the lemon peel elevate this experience. This would classically be served chilled in an Old Fashioned glass, furthering its classic appeal. This elaborate preparation, especially with an absinthe rinse, provides a uniqueness other whiskey cocktails don't have. The Sazerac was originally made with Cognac, more correctly Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils. In the late 19th century, the phylloxera epidemic devastated French vineyards, thus making Cognac scarce; rye whiskey was taken up as the base spirit, settling the Sazerac's distinctly American character.

This is all part of the history of the Sazerac-the shift away from Cognac toward rye whiskey-partly a question of availability and partly the march of time. The Sazerac was declared the official cocktail of New Orleans in 2008, which showed how very important it still was to the city's culture.

Officially recognized as part of the IBA list of approved cocktails under The Unforgettables category.