Sazerac
New Orleans rye classic with an absinthe-rinsed glass and Peychaud's bitters — a spirit-forward, citrus-free stirred drink that batches and dilutes predictably.
Ingredients
| Rye whiskey | 2 oz |
| Absinthe (rinse) | 0.25 oz |
| Simple syrup | 0.25 oz |
| Peychaud's bitters | 0.03 oz |
| Total volume | 2.53 oz |
Garnish: Lemon peel (expressed and discarded)
Tip: change “Make” to scale the recipe, or switch units for the metric world.
How to make it
Stirred · Advanced · about 3 minutes
- 1
Rinse a chilled rocks glass with the absinthe, swirl to coat, and discard the excess.
- 2
Add the rye whiskey, simple syrup and peychaud's bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- 3
Stir for 20–30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
- 4
Strain into the prepared rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- 5
Garnish with lemon peel (expressed and discarded).
Tools you'll need
Making a batch for a party?
Here's a pre-calculated batch of 12 with 22% dilution water built in. Scale to any number with the batch calculator →
| Ingredient | × 12 | Bottles |
|---|---|---|
| Rye whiskey | 24.0 oz | 1 |
| Absinthe (rinse) | 3.0 oz | 1 |
| Simple syrup | 3.0 oz | 1 |
| Peychaud's bitters | 0.4 oz | 1 |
BatchPour tools produce estimates for planning purposes only. Actual dilution, ABV, and ingredient yields vary by technique, ice temperature, and produce. Always taste and adjust. Drink responsibly.
If you like the Sazerac, try…
Old Fashioned
whiskeyWhiskey, sugar, bitters — the original cocktail, built in the glass.
Whiskey Sour
whiskeyBourbon, lemon, and sweetener — the essential American sour.
Manhattan
whiskeyRye, sweet vermouth, bitters — the stately stirred classic.
Penicillin
whiskeyScotch, lemon, honey-ginger, peaty float — a modern classic.
Sazerac FAQ
What's in a Sazerac?
A classic Sazerac is made with rye whiskey, absinthe (rinse), simple syrup, peychaud's bitters. It's stirred and served in a rocks glass.
What is the ABV of a Sazerac?
A classic Sazerac is approximately 42.7% ABV — about 1.80 US standard drinks per serving once you account for dilution.
Should I shake or stir a Sazerac?
Stir it. The Sazerac is spirit-forward with no citrus, so stirring keeps it silky and crystal-clear.
How do I batch Sazeracs for a party?
Scale every ingredient by your guest count, then add about 22% dilution water. The BatchPour batch calculator does the math for any number.