Sazerac Cocktail Recipe Video

What is the oldest American cocktail?

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering Hmm, what is the oldest American Cocktail? (as I did) well here’s a fun bit of trivia for you: The Sazerac cocktail is in fact known as the first cocktail recipe to be recorded in America. It was invented in the late 1800s by Aaron Bird of New Orleans – and is even the official state drink of Louisiana. In addition to being an intricate part of American history, Sazerac cocktails have continued to be popular today. They’re terrifically boozy, slightly bitter, and perfect for sipping on fall evenings.

What does a Sazerac cocktail taste like?

The unique flavors of Sazerac cocktails are certainly what have kept it a drink of choice for decades. They’re made with anise liquor, which has a taste similar to licorice. This is paired with fruity and tart Peychaud’s bitters, plus the deep peppery flavors of rye whiskey. A bit of granulated sugar is also added for a hint of sweetness to balance the different elements.

What’s the difference between an old fashioned and a Sazerac?

Both Old Fashioned and Sazerac cocktail recipes include bitters and a sugar cube. However, an Old Fashioned is made with bourbon and has a slightly sweeter taste than a Sazerac, which is made with rye whisky. Speaking of bitters… Old Fashioned cocktails typically use Angosturra bitters, while Sazeracs have to be made with Peychaud’s bitters to be authentic. These were the bitters used in the original Sazerac recipe when developed in New Orleans, named after the apothecary from which they were first sourced.

Ingredients You Need for This Sazerac Recipe

Anise liqueur – such as Absinthe, Pernod, PastisGranulated sugar – or one sugar cubeWater – to dissolve the sugar into a syrupPeychaud’s bitters – adds a signature tart, fruity flavor and is essential for a traditional SazeracSazerac rye whiskey – a must-have for the perfect, well, Sazerac cocktail

And the classic garnish for a Sazerac cocktail is a twist of lemon peel. Pro Tip: Use a veggie peeler to cut a section of lemon peel 1 ½ to 2 inches long. You can trim the edges or use as-is!

How to Make a Perfect Sazerac Cocktail

These complex cocktails have layers of flavor, but this Sazerac recipe is quite easy to prepare in only a minute or so. Serve the drink immediately while the glass is nice and cold. Too strong? Serve this Sazerac cocktail over a large ice cube to dilute.