Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsCentral Restaurant1895 Sazerac Recipe

1895 Sazerac Recipe

Inspired by Central Restaurant
Time35m
Serves1

rye sazerac rye, absinthe, fig infused maple syrup, creole bitters

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

Fig-Infused Maple Syrup (makes ~1 cup)

Method

Fig-Infused Maple Syrup (advance - 24 hours to 1 week)

  1. 1

    Combine

    Place 1 cup pure maple syrup in a clean jar. Add 4 dried figs, halved if large, so they are submerged.

  2. 2

    Infuse

    Cover jar and let sit at room temperature for at least 24 hours for a light fig note, or up to 7 days for a deeper, jammy fig character. Shake gently once or twice daily to help distribute flavor.

  3. 3

    Strain and store

    When desired intensity is reached, strain syrup through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean jar, pressing gently on the figs to release liquid. Discard solids. Refrigerate syrup up to 2 weeks.

Cocktail Preparation

  1. 4

    Chill glass

    Place an old-fashioned glass or rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes or fill with ice water to chill while you prepare the cocktail.

  2. 5

    Rinse glass with absinthe

    Discard the ice water if used. Pour 0.25 teaspoon absinthe into the chilled glass, tilt and rotate the glass so the absinthe coats the interior, then pour out the excess (you can discard or keep a small coating). The goal is a light absinthe aroma, not a strong pour.

  3. 6

    Mix

    In a mixing glass filled with plenty of ice, add 2 oz rye whiskey, 0.5 oz fig-infused maple syrup, and 3 dashes Creole (Peychaud-style) bitters.

  4. 7

    Stir

    Stir the mixture briskly for 20–30 seconds (about 20–25 full rotation strokes) until well chilled and slightly diluted — the spirit should be slightly glossy and cold to the touch of the mixing glass.

  5. 8

    Strain

    Using a julep or hawthorne strainer, double-strain (if desired) into the absinthe-rinsed chilled old-fashioned glass over one large ice cube or a small cluster of fresh ice.

  6. 9

    Garnish

    Express the oils of a lemon peel over the drink by holding the peel over the surface and giving it a firm twist so a spray of citrus oils lands on the cocktail. Run the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass as garnish.

  7. 10

    Serve

    Present immediately. Sip to appreciate the balance of rye spice, fig sweetness from the syrup, the floral/anise whisper of the absinthe rinse, and the bright, slightly floral Creole bitters.

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