The Sazerac is a local New Orleans variation of an old-fashioned cognac or whiskey cocktail, named for the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brand of cognac that was its original prime ingredient. The drink is some combination of cognac or rye whiskey, absinthe or Herbsaint, and Peychaud's Bitters; it is distinguished by its preparation method.[2] It is sometimes referred to as the oldest known American cocktail,[3] with origins in pre–Civil War New Orleans, Louisiana, though there are much earlier published instances of the word cocktail.[4]
The defining feature of the Sazerac is the preparation using Peychaud's Bitters[5] and two chilled old-fashioned glasses, one swirled with a light wash of absinthe for the slight taste and strong scent.[6] The second chilled glass is used to mix the other ingredients, then the contents of that are poured or strained into the first.[7] Various anisettes such as Pastis, Pernod, Ricard and Herbsaint are common substitutes for absinthe when it is not available; in New Orleans Herbsaint is most commonly used.[8] NANCY _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
