Cocktail #022-Sazerac

The Sazerac is perhaps the most iconic cocktail from New Orleans, one of the most important centers of cocktail culture in the United States. Despite stories to the contrary, the Sazerac is a rye-based cocktail rather than one made with Cognac. It is made with a number of New Orleans products including Peychaud's bitters, Sazerac rye whiskey, and Herbsaint (an anise-flavored liqueur that was designed to replace absinthe after it was made illegal in the United States).

Glass

Rocks Glass

Ingredients

• 2 oz rye whiskey (Sazerac Rye would be the traditional choice)

• 1/4 oz Demerara syrup

• 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters

• 4 spritzes Herbsaint

Technique

Rinse a chilled rocks glass with spritzes of Herbsaint. Add the rye whiskey, Demerara syrup, bitters, and ice cubes to a mixing glass. Stir for 30-45 seconds and strain into the rocks glass. Express the lemon peel and add the garnish to the glass.

Garnish

Lemon Peel