How to Make the Classic Sazerac Cocktail

"The Sazerac" Cocktail

When people talk about the origins of cocktails in America, the Sazerac is always part of the story. Created in New Orleans in the mid-1800s, the drink is widely recognized as the first “official” cocktail. It combined the local taste for strong, flavorful rye whiskey with French influence from absinthe and bitters. The result was a simple but powerful drink that carried the spirit of a city known for celebration, hospitality, and tradition.

The cocktail takes its name from the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brandy that was originally used in the earliest versions. As rye whiskey became more popular in the United States, bartenders swapped the brandy for American rye, and the recipe evolved into the drink we know today. By the late 19th century, the Sazerac had become a New Orleans institution, served in bars across the French Quarter and eventually named the official cocktail of the city.

At its core, the Sazerac is a cocktail of balance. A touch of sweetness from sugar, the bite of Peychaud’s bitters, a whisper of absinthe, and the bold flavor of rye whiskey come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. It is strong, complex, and refined.

With Sazerac Rye 100 Proof (1L) now available at Prost Bellevue Tavern for just $50, you can bring home the very whiskey that continues this tradition. Bottled at 100 proof, it provides the strength and spice that allow the cocktail to shine.

Ingredients

• Absinthe, to rinse

• 1 sugar cube

• 1/2 teaspoon cold water

• 4 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

• 2 1/2 ounces Sazerac Rye

• Lemon peel, for garnish

Steps

1. Rinse a chilled rocks glass with absinthe, discarding the excess.

2. In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube, water, and Peychaud’s bitters until the sugar dissolves.

3. Add the rye whiskey, fill with ice, and stir for 15 to 20 seconds until well-chilled.

4. Strain into the prepared glass.

5. Twist the lemon peel over the surface to release its oils, then drop it in as garnish.

   
   

Why Use Sazerac Rye 100 Proof?

Sazerac Rye has always been linked to the cocktail that bears its name. At 100 proof, it has the strength to hold its character against the other ingredients, while still offering a smooth and balanced flavor. Notes of clove, pepper, vanilla, and candied citrus peel make it complex yet approachable. This is the rye that belongs in a true Sazerac, and it is now available for you to enjoy at home.

A Taste of History at Prost

The Sazerac is more than a recipe. It is a symbol of American cocktail culture, a drink that helped define the bar experience in New Orleans and beyond. Making one at home connects you to that history.

Pick up your Sazerac Rye 100 Proof 1L bottle at Prost Bellevue Tavern for $50, available seven days a week until close. Mix it into the cocktail that started it all or enjoy it neat. Either way, you are tasting a tradition that has lasted more than 150 years.