Sazerac

★☆☆☆☆
Prep: 5 mins Cook: None Serves: 1 Source: Classic — evolved from Antoine Peychaud's 1838 apothecary drink, Sazerac Coffee House, New Orleans (1850s-60s)

Ingredients

  • 45ml Sazerac rye whiskey, or another good rye (1 1/2 oz)
  • 1 sugar cube, or 5ml (1 tsp) simple syrup
  • 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters (optional)
  • 7ml Herbsaint or absinthe, for rinsing the glass (1/4 oz)
  • Ice, for stirring
  • Garnish: lemon peel, oils expressed and discarded

Instructions

  1. Chill an old fashioned glass by filling it with ice.
  2. In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube with the Peychaud's bitters (and Angostura, if using) until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Add the rye whiskey and plenty of ice, and stir until well-chilled.
  4. Discard the ice from the chilled old fashioned glass, pour in the Herbsaint, and swirl to coat the inside of the glass. Tip out any excess.
  5. Strain the rye mixture into the Herbsaint-coated glass — no ice.
  6. Express the oils of a lemon peel over the drink. Discard the peel (traditional) or drop it in.
Wine Pairing: N/A