Southern Breeze 2007 Summer Issue - (Page 60) food CHEERS The Sassy Sazerac story by DEBORAH BURST | photography by C. ROSS I remember it well, my first sip of the sassy brew. A coppercolored cocktail, set inside an old-fashioned glass bathed in absinthe with a splash of lemon peel. “What a stingy helping,” I murmured. But after the sinuses blew open and the spicy rye tickled my throat, it was time to show a little respect. After all, a gallant history of southern gentlemen including Huey P. Long swirled the nineteenth century spirits. Nineteenth century pharmacist and Creole immigrant, Antoine Amedee Peychaud, created the toddy blending absinthe, Louisiana cane sugar, his secret bitters, and French Brandy (made by Sazerac des Dorge et Fils of Limoges, France). Over time, American rye whiskey made its way from distillers of the northeast replacing the brandy. Named the state cocktail, today the Sazerac boasts a hearty libation of rye whiskey, sugar, absinthe, and Peychaud Bitters. From the drink came the bar and then the company, distilling a long line of fine spirits including the Peychaud bitters and Sazerac Rye, a six-year-old rye whiskey. Kevin Richards, brand manager with the Sazerac Company in New Orleans, admits although the South remains the Sazerac cocktail’s hotbed, it has enjoyed a rebirth with growing interest across the country. Sazerac Cocktail compliments of Ann Rogers Sugar Cube 4 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters 4 dashes of Angostura bitters 1/2 teaspoon of water 2 1/2 oz. Sazerac straight rye whiskey (or another brand of rye whiskey) Teaspoon of absinthe (or absinthe substitute, Herbsaint) Chill an old-fashioned glass in the freezer. In a separate glass, muddle a sugar cube with both bitters and water. Stir in rye and ice cubes. Pour absinthe in the freezer glass, swirl around to coat the sides and spill the excess. Strain the beverage into this glass and twist lemon peel over the top. Sit back and enjoy! www.talesofthecocktail.com www.sazerac.com 60 s o u t h e r n b re e z e . c o m http://www.talesofthecocktail.com http://www.sazerac.com http://southernbreeze.com
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