Martha's Sazerac

She's a fan of this beloved New Orleans cocktail.

Prep Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
5 mins
Servings:
1

Martha's Sazerac recipe is a riff on the beloved New Orleans cocktail. It mixes a base of bourbon or rye with sugar, orange bitters, and anise-flavored liqueur. Absinthe is traditional, but you can also use sambuca or Pernod. Our recipe makes one stiff drink but can easily be scaled up for two or three or even four. If you fancy serving Sazeracs to a crowd, then use our batched variation, but note while the classic drink is mixed for serving, this big batch version must be made ahead.

sazerac in rocks glass on black plate

Bryan Gardner

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Ingredients

  • 1 sugar cube

  • 2 ounces bourbon or rye

  • 4 dashes orange bitters

  • Ice

  • ¼ teaspoon anise-flavored liqueur

  • Lemon peel

Directions

  1. Mix sugar and water in shaker; add bourbon and bitters with ice:

    Place sugar cube and 2 teaspoons water in a cocktail shaker; stir to dissolve. Add bourbon and bitters, fill with ice, and stir to chill.

  2. Swirl anise in glass:

    Pour liqueur into a rocks glass and swirl to coat; pour out excess.

  3. Strain bourbon into glass; rub lemon twist around glass:

    Strain bourbon mixture into glass. Twist lemon peel and rub around rim of glass (do not add to drink).

Variation: Batched Sazerac

For entertaining, make a batch of sazeracs ahead of time and refrigerate until the party starts. You'll need:

3 cups bourbon or rye
1/ 3 cup simple syrup
1 ¼ teaspoons orange bitters
1 tablespoon anise-flavored liqueur
3-4 lemons (to make 12 lemon twists)

  1. Combine bourbon, simple syrup, bitters, anise liqueur, and 3/4 cup ice water in a pitcher. Chill for at least two hours. (Cocktail can be made up to one day ahead and kept refrigerated.)
  2. Divide between rocks glasses.
  3. Make 12 strips of lemon peel. Twist one lemon peel and rub around the rim of each glass, then discard, (Use a new peel for each glass.)

Other Whiskey Cocktail Recipes to Try

Updated by
Victoria Spencer
Victoria Spencer, senior food editor, MarthaStewart.com
Victoria Spencer is an experienced food editor, writer, and recipe developer. She manages the Martha Stewart recipe archive and is always curious about new ingredients and the best techniques. She has been working in food media for over 20 years.

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