Sazerac Variations

9 drinks · Updated October 2026

The Sazerac combines rye whiskey, sugar and Peychaud’s bitters in an absinthe-rinsed glass. It is closely associated with New Orleans, and its history includes brandy as well as rye whiskey. This page lists the namesake drinks first, then close structural riffs. Alongside the Sazerac, examples include Cut and Paste and Pumpkin Sazerac. The absinthe rinse and bitters are important reference points when other spirits, sweeteners or seasonal ingredients are introduced. The useful comparison is the role of each ingredient: base spirit, sweetener, aromatic modifier or citrus, rather than the name alone.

The Sazerac

• Creole-Rum Sazerac

  Drew Pompa, Takoi, Detroit (2021); after a 1977 recipe card collection

  0.75 oz Demerara rum 0.75 oz Jamaican rum 0.5 oz Lemon juice 0.5 oz Simple syrup 0.5 tsp Louisiana hot sauce 0.25 tsp Peychaud's bitters 0.125 tsp Absinthe

• Sazerac

  Classic (New Orleans, 19th century)

  2 oz Rye whiskey 0.25 oz Demerara syrup 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters 1 dash Angostura bitters Rinse Absinthe

• Maison Premiere's Sazerac

  William Elliott, Maison Premiere, Brooklyn

  2 oz Rye whiskey 1 tsp Green anise demerara syrup 5 dashes Peychaud's bitters 5 dashes Creole bitters Rinse Absinthe

• Chris McMillian's Sazerac

  Chris McMillian, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

  2 oz Rye whiskey 1 Sugar cube 4 dashes Peychaud's bitters 1 splash Water Rinse Absinthe

• St. John Frizell's Sazerac

  St. John Frizell, Gage & Tollner, Brooklyn (2018)

  2 oz Rye whiskey 0.25 oz Simple syrup 2 dashes Peychaud's bitters 1 dash Angostura bitters Rinse Absinthe

• Tom Macy's Sazerac

  Tom Macy, Clover Club, Brooklyn (2018)

  1.5 oz Rye whiskey 0.5 oz Cognac 1 tsp Demerara syrup 4 dashes Peychaud's bitters 1 dash Angostura bitters Rinse Absinthe

• Ticonderoga Club's Sazerac

  Alec Bales, Ticonderoga Club, Atlanta (2024)

  0.25 oz Herbsaint (rinse) 2 oz Rye whiskey 0.25 oz Rich cane syrup 6 dashes Peychaud's bitters 1 dash Angostura bitters

• Pumpkin Sazerac

  Naren Young (2020)

  0.5 tsp Absinthe (rinse) 2 oz Cognac 2 tsp Pumpkin spice syrup 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters

Riffs

• Cut and Paste

  Alex Day, Death & Co, New York (2012)

  1.5 oz Apple brandy (aged) 0.75 oz Irish whiskey (aged) 0.25 oz Honey syrup (2:1) 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters 1 dash Angostura bitters Absinthe (rinse)