A Midsummer's Night's Sazerac
Illustration generated by AI from the recipe’s glass, ice and garnish — not a photograph of a real pour.
- Method: stir
- Glass: Absinthe glass or old-fashioned glass
- Ice: Ice
- Garnish: Garnish with a spritz of lemon oils from a lemon twist. Either discard or add to drink depending on taste.
- ABV: 29%
Ingredients
- Wild Turkey 101 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey — 1½ oz (45 ml)
- Courvoisier VSOP Exclusif cognac — 1½ oz (45 ml)
- Dale DeGroff's Pimento bitters — 0 oz (2.5 ml)
- The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas Bitters — 0 oz (2.5 ml)
- The Bitter Truth Creole Bitters — ¼ oz (5 ml)
- Jade Nouvelle-Orleans Absinthe Superieure — ¼ oz (5 ml)
- Bénédictine D.O.M. liqueur — ¼ oz (7.5 ml)
- Difford's Falernum liqueur — ¼ oz (7.5 ml)
How to make it
- Add the Absinthe to an atomiser and set aside.
- Chill your glass.
- Long stir the Bourbon, Cognac, Benedictine, Falernum, and Bitters with ice until very cold.
- Spray the glass with Absinthe.
- Strain the Sazerac into the Absinthe coated glass.
A complex cocktail with bourbon and cognac.
The story
The A Midsummer's Night's Sazerac is a contemporary twist on the classic Sazerac cocktail, which originated in New Orleans in the 19th century. The original Sazerac used rye whiskey, sugar, and Peychaud's bitters, but this variation incorporates bourbon and cognac, reflecting modern tastes. Its unique blend of ingredients and the theatrical presentation have helped it gain popularity among cocktail enthusiasts.
How it tastes
This cocktail features a rich and complex flavor profile, combining the sweetness of bourbon and cognac with herbal notes from the bitters and a hint of spice from the falernum. The absinthe adds an aromatic quality, making it suitable for sipping as an aperitif or during festive occasions.
Getting it right
The key to a successful A Midsummer's Night's Sazerac lies in the chilling of the spirits and the proper dilution during stirring. Additionally, the spritz of absinthe should coat the glass evenly, enhancing the aromatic experience without overwhelming the drink's other flavors.
Variations
- Classic Sazerac — The traditional Sazerac uses rye whiskey instead of bourbon, along with Peychaud's bitters and sugar, served in a glass rinsed with absinthe.
- Sazerac Variations — Some variations substitute different types of bitters or incorporate additional liqueurs, such as Amaro, for a unique twist.
Substitutions
- Wild Turkey 101 — Any high-proof bourbon can be used as a substitute for Wild Turkey 101.
- Courvoisier VSOP — Other VSOP cognacs or even quality brandies can replace Courvoisier.
- Bénédictine D.O.M. — Drambuie or a similar herbal liqueur can serve as an alternative to Bénédictine.
Questions
- What is the difference between this and a classic Sazerac?
- The A Midsummer's Night's Sazerac uses bourbon and cognac, while the classic version traditionally employs rye whiskey and Peychaud's bitters.
- Can I make this cocktail without absinthe?
- While absinthe is a key component for its aromatic qualities, you can omit it or use a different anise-flavored liqueur, but the flavor will differ.
- What is falernum and can I substitute it?
- Falernum is a sweet syrup flavored with lime, almond, and spices. If unavailable, you can use orgeat syrup or a spiced rum for a different but complementary flavor.
This text was drafted by a language model from the catalogue’s data and is machine-translated outside English.
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