Bourbon Sazerac

A Bourbon Sazerac is my take on the classic American cocktail (also known as the official cocktail of New Orleans, or so I’ve been told!). Bourbon and a touch of absinthe make this simple cocktail a new staple for your cocktail hour. Makes 1 cocktail.

Say hello to my take on the classic Sazerac.

What is a sazerac you ask?

Well, it’s a cocktail usually made with cognac, rye whiskey, absinthe, sugar cube, and Peychaud’s bitters. Now I don’t know the exact history of the cocktail, but I do know that every time I have enjoyed one, it’s absolutely delicious.

My aunt is actually the one who convinced me to try my first sazerac since she is such a big fan, and I’ve enjoyed the cocktail ever since.

Instead of the usual combination of cognac and rye whiskey, I turn to bourbon. I like the flavor of bourbon in most whiskey cocktails, and this is no exception. With the simple ingredients, you get serious depth of flavor.

ingredients

bourbon – use your favorite bourbon here! I’m personally a fan of Bulleit, Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Whiskey, or Buffalo Trace Bourbon, but I’ve even tried the Trader Joe’s base brand in this recipe and it’s delicious. Whatever your budget, just go with your favorite brand!

peychaud’s bitters – this is a specialty ingredient that is a must for the sazerac cocktail. It’s the “secret” to what was originally used in the sazerac. The flavor is a bit sweeter than Angostura bitters, plus it has hints of anise and mint that work well with the other ingredients.

sugar cube – I like to use a sugar cube instead of granulated sugar because it’s easier to muddle with the bitters to help it dissolve. This allows it to blend better into the cocktail so it doesn’t all sit at the bottom of the glass.

absinthe – this green anise-flavored spirit is made from a blend of botanicals. The Man actually adores absinthe with the hints of licorice, while I only like it in cocktails. You don’t have to spring for the top shelf stuff, I’d say a middle of the road option like Pernod Absinthe or Absinthe Ordinaire will do great in this libation.

this recipe’s must haves

I like to build my cocktail in a mixing glass! You’ll need a muddler to combine the sugar cube and bitters in the bottom.

After you add the spirits with a jigger, stir everything together with a cocktail stirring spoon.

Strain through a cocktail strainer into your favorite cocktail glasses. I busted out the vintage glasses that have been sitting in a cupboard in our basement for way too long. I used to save them for a special occasion, but really, shouldn’t a good cocktail be special enough to use the nice glassware?

If you don’t have a cocktail glass, I like to use these double old fashioned glasses or rocks glass.

Need some more inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my booze recipes page!

here’s how to make a bourbon sazerac

Muddle

Add a sugar cube to a cocktail mixing glass. Pour the Peychaud’s Bitters on top of the sugar cube and muddle until the sugar begins to dissolve.

Stir

Pour in bourbon and absinthe, then top with ice. Stir well until the sugar dissolves.

Strain

Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass or old fashioned glass. Run a lemon peel piece around the edge of the glass, then add to the glass as garnish. Serve!

tips for success

Stir well. The key to this cocktail is making sure the sugar dissolves. If it doesn’t, you’ll have a pile of it in the bottom of the glass and that final hit of all sugar will skew the flavor of the drink!

The lemon peel is a flavor element. Don’t skip the peel! The oils from the lemon peel around the edge is the first aroma that hits your nose as you sip.

what to serve with

I love to keep things rolling with the New Orleans theme when it comes to a sazerac! Whether you are celebrating Fat Tuesday, or perhaps you just want to be theme-y about it (which there is nothing wrong with!), but here are some ideas for what to serve with this cocktail:

• For an informal get-together, I like to have these grilled cajun wings out because they are super saucy, spicy, and way to easy to gobble down.
• Cajun poutine is my take on the classic Canadian recipe with a spicy twist! There’s shredded chicken, andouille sausage, AND a cajun gravy… Just sayin’.
• In the mood for something more comforting? Try my hatch green chile gumbo or this Instant Pot creole chicken sausage soup.

Other yummy bourbon recipes: Apple Bourbon Smash | Cherry Bourbon Sour | Homemade Chai Infused Bourbon | Paper Plane Cocktail