Jul 14 2026

Rye Sazerac Recipe

Time8m
Serves1

sazerac rye whiskey. absinthe. peychaud's bitters. sugar. lemon.

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Ingredients

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Cocktail

Method

Prep

  1. 1

    Chill glass

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

  2. 2

    Make simple syrup (if needed)

    If you don't have simple syrup, dissolve equal parts granulated sugar and hot water (e.g., 1 tablespoon sugar + 1 tablespoon hot water) and let cool. Measure 1/4 tsp for this drink. Alternatively use a small pinch of granulated sugar dissolved with the bitters.

Build

  1. 3

    Bitters and sugar

    In a mixing glass, add 3 dashes of Peychaud's bitters and 1/4 teaspoon simple syrup (or dissolved sugar). Stir briefly to combine and dissolve any remaining sugar.

  2. 4

    Add rye and ice

    Add 2 oz rye whiskey to the mixing glass. Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes (enough to chill without over-diluting) — about 2 large cubes — and stir gently for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.

  3. 5

    Prepare glass with absinthe rinse

    Discard the chilling ice/water from your chilled serving glass. Add 1/4 teaspoon absinthe to the glass, tip and rotate the glass so the absinthe coats the interior, then pour out any excess (you can discard or reserve a drop). The interior should be lightly perfumed.

  4. 6

    Strain

    Double-strain (or single-strain if not using crushed ice) the chilled rye and bitters mixture from the mixing glass into the prepared serving glass over one large fresh ice cube (or no ice if you prefer the classic up presentation).

  5. 7

    Garnish and express lemon

    Cut a wide strip of lemon peel. Hold it over the glass and give it a firm twist to express the oils over the drink, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the glass or discard per preference.

  6. 8

    Serve

    Serve immediately. The cocktail should be aromatic from the absinthe rinse and lemon oils, with a balanced bitter-sweet backbone from Peychaud's and sugar.

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