
My husband loves Sazerac and if you can pull off a Smokey Sazerac, he will be the happiest man. And I think, anyone with a love for a good strong drink will love it. He tried it for the first time in Chicago with a friend (Hey you, Nandita!!!) and he was hooked.
This is one strong drink. (there is Rye Whiskey, Bitters and Absinthe, so yeah!!!) . I got two bottles of absinthe from Prague thinking that I will make some drinks using them and this is my first try. If you are interested to know the link between Absinthe and Prague, read about it here – Prague trip.
Thought of trying my hand on this drink on Father’s day. Surprisingly it came out pretty good. In Prague he had ordered this drink at a bar and I was watching the bartender keenly. Though I can’t imitate his mastery behind the bar, I’m sharing below how I tried it. I’m calling it a Smokey Sazerac because, I smoked the Lemon peel and added it to the drink to give it that Smokey effect.
Here is a little history on Sazerac.

In 1838, Antoine Amedie Peychaud, owner of a New Orleans apothecary, treated his friends to brandy toddies of his own recipe, including his “Peychaud’s Bitters,” made from a secret family recipe. The toddies were made using a double-ended egg cup as a measuring cup or jigger, then known as a “coquetier” (pronounced “ko-k-tay”), from which the word “cocktail” was derived. Thus, the world’s first cocktail was born!
By 1850, the Sazerac Cocktail, made with Sazerac French brandy and Peychaud’s Bitters, was immensely popular, and became the first “branded” cocktail. In 1873, the recipe for the Sazerac Cocktail was altered to replace the French brandy with American Rye whiskey, and a dash of absinthe was added.

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cube sugar
- 2 ounces Sazerac Rye Whiskey
- ¼ ounce Absinthe
- 3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
- 3 dashes of Lemon Bitters
- Lemon peel
METHOD:
- Two good looking glasses :). The ones I’m using in the post are hand blown glasses, a friend got those for me from Mexico.
- In the first glass, put some ice.
- In a second glass place the sugar cube and add the Peychaud’s Bitters to it, then crush the sugar cube
- Add the Rye Whiskey to the second glass containing the Peychaud’s Bitters and sugar
- Empty the ice from the first glass and coat the glass with the Absinthe, then discard the remaining Absinthe
- Empty the whiskey/bitters/sugar mixture from the second glass into the first glass and garnish with a Smoky lemon peel
PS – You will need a designated driver after having this drink. No Kidding!
I never would have thought to combine any of these ingredients, but it looks so interesting. I bet the smoky lemon flavor really kicks it up! Thanks! I’ll have to try this! 🙂
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Ingredients are impressive, not every day you see a recipe absinthe cocktail. I wonder what this drink tastes, what it is like?
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Wow that drink looks great!
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This is quite a unique combination! I love how you put the lemon peels in there, I bet it tastes amazing
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My husband would love this too! Sounds amazing!
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Great post, thank you so much for sharing. 🙂
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I love the sound of this drink, must try soon!
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I think my hubby would love this drink too! I love the lemon as an ingredient! Pinning!
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Am not a big drinker but hubby would certainly appreciate this . Especially when he has his friends over. Thanks for sharing.
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Really sounds interesting. I remember reading that absinthe was a very popular drink in the old southern historical I used to read. I’d love to have just a sip — I”m not a real strong drink aficionado. Enjoyed the story.
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I’m not much of a bartender/mixologist, but this drink looks beautiful! I love the addition of the smoked lemon peel! I bet it takes the flavors to another level!
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I have been meaning to diversify my drink menu. I haven’t really had any mixed whiskey drinks. This looks like the perfect addition to my recipe book!
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I love that the first cocktail was made in the US! That is a really interesting looking drink. I do have a question, though – I didn’t see how I would smoke the lemon peel?
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Yum! This looks like a really delicious combination of flavors.
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I love stories about the origins of food and drink… This is a fun post! I love a good cocktail, and this looks like one I would really enjoy!
I had a little trouble with the wordpress.com login. I don’t use the website anymore but it wanted a password before leaving my comment. I hope you’ve gotten this 🙂
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This sounds like quite the drink! I bet it is always a hit…I’m completely intrigued and MUST make it to try it soon! 🙂
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I am saving this for my next party! Thanks for sharing!
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I love the history of the cocktail information you have added! How interesting!
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I need a designated driver for this one!
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Love this post, especially the photos! My husband’s a Manhattan man, but this might just lure him away — gotta love a smokey cocktail!
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Dear i loved the idea of making a cocktail on your own. Haven’t tried making a drink yet but i will try your recipe next time my friends will visit me.thank you!!
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Stunning ❤️
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will have to try this!
Leslie
http://alifewellconsumed.com
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This is pure love making. Owing to my strong drinking habits….I have my whisky only on rocks and I drink absinthe because of Hemingway. /;-) So there you have it. You give me both in one…its lust. 🙂
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A Sazerac is one of the few classic cocktails I’ve never tried! But I love smokey cocktails so I’m going to try making this at home
Nellwyn | http://www.thecardinalpress.com
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I should make this for my next house party. Sounds strong but delicious;)
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Great story, a cocktail with character 🙂
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Wow! Your photography is simply stunning! We have some absinthe and Im never sure how to use it. I can’t wait to give this a spin!
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I love reading about the origins of a drink or dish. Great post!
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I’m not a whiskey drinker. But thanks for sharing the history of this drink.
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I think my husband would love this drink, too! Yes, for me it’s maybe a bit strong, but I do love all the flavors that go into this drink! Pretty pictures!
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I visited Prague a few years ago, it was the first time I had absinthe. Your post brings back some good memories, I will have to try making Sazerac
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I do not drink alcohol ,but this sure does look great ! Lovely clicks too 🙂
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I don’t drink whiskey, but my Dad would love this!
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I love Prague (and absinthe, incidentally). I haven’t got any absinthe anymore, will have to hunt it down!
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While the drink is far too strong for me, I loved the history lesson on the cocktail! Thanks for sharing!
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Learn about the history was fasinating for me and I don’t drink.
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This sounds delicious. I know I would love this! My fave cocktail is an Old Fashioned – love the strong guys! LOL!
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Love the sound of this. Had a stellar Penicillin yesterday – that has a smoky taste too. Increasingly like smoke in cocktails. Your pouring pic is stunning btw. Cin cin.
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My husband loves the really peaty whiskies of Islay so I suspect he’d love the smokiness of this!
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It never ceases to amaze me how much history there is to cocktails. Fascinating subject indeed, I can see why bloggers like to talk about it. This one looks good and potent, I imagine it’s very good if you need reviving from a cold lol! I love that glass by the way – so unusual and fabulous for a short cocktail 😀
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Love the photos!
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I love a strong cocktail and this looks fabulous! We tried Absinthe at a cocktail bar in an old Seattle hotel….it’s the only place that served it at the time. He did the whole show…I can’t recall exactly how it went but it was a process to serve it and it was devine! Love your photo’s…come 5 o’clock I’ll be wishing I had one of these!
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The smokey sazerac just sounds way too cool Aish! Love the photos too!
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You smoked the lemon peel #hero haha! You say smoke and I’m hooked! Were can I come and tast this one?
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Gotta say you had me at Sazerac Rye Whiskey. I’m a whiskey girl through and through. Although I feel I should be drinking this on a cold and snowy night. Two words that don’t exist in Texas!
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Never heard of Sazerac before. How interesting…
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Um, this sounds sort of amazing! Thanks for the background on the Sazerac. I’m really intrigued, how did you smoke the lemon peel? Do you use a smoking gun?
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Wow, what a wonderful flavor combination!
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New Orleans is such a vibrant place. This sounds like a proper grown up drink
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Wow – this drink sounds epic! It is a party just waiting to happen.
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I think it would be a little strong for me but I bet I know a few people who would love it! Thanks for sharing!
Kyla
Wanderlustkyla.com
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Definitely this drink will surely enjoyed by my boyfriend – he like whiskey and scotch especially after a long busy day 😀
-blairvillanueva
For Urban Women
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LOL I’ve never even heard of this drink. Looks like a great recipe to try maybe we will have it at our next get together with friends!
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I can’t say I’d heard of this drink before, but I think my husband would probably like it too. I’ll have to try it out this weekend!
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I’ve never heard of this drink before but I think it’s something my husband would love!
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I have never heard of Sazerac before- I love that you included the history as well. I’ll have to check with my husband and see if he’s had it before- may be something to add to the list of things to try.
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I love the historical background that you’ve provided with this recipe! Very interesting! New Orleans in a fascinating place.
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I’ve been to Prague few times but have tried only their famous Beton (Becherovka+Tonic). I’m going to visit that lovely city in November, so I will definitely try this cocktail. Thanks a bunch for sharing!
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I would love one of these. I always love new drink ideas.
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I’ve never heard of sazerac so thank you for the brief history lesson, Judging from your recipe, I think this may be a little too strong for my liking, but I’d love to make it for my better half.
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Love discovering new drinks and I’ve never heard of the Sazerac cocktail. Great to read the fascinating history about the drink. This does sound extremely strong, though quite interesting as well. I’d love to try it sometime. Cheers!
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Oh, I could so go one of these right now. Just 7 more weeks until baby arrives and I can have a drink 🙂
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My hubby will surely love this one. I think I’ll surprise him on his birthday. Thanks for the recipe and idea!
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An interesting drink. I have never tried Absinthe but have heard many good stories. This will give me an excuse!
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I love a good smokey cocktail!
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I’ve never tried this sazerac your cocktail is definitely tempting me to try it soon!
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My boyfriend is a whisky drinker so I know he would love this!
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I don’t drink but I love your photos!
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Oh wow! I’ve never heard of this cocktail but it does sound strong!
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HAHAH…I am a wine drinker, and have never heard of this before. Sounds like it would be a tasty and powerful drink. Lots of flavours in there for sure.
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