Shake with ice and fine-strain into a chilled coupe
Sidecar
Cognac warmth, bright orange, and a clean lemon edge.
Rinse, stir over ice, and strain without serving ice
Sazerac
A ritual-driven New Orleans classic that layers an absinthe rinse, a slow stir, and expressed lemon oils.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 7 minutes
- Level
- Intermediate
- Glass
- Rocks glass
- Approx. ABV
- 30% · Spirit-forward
- Tradition
- American
- Profile
- Bitter · Herbal · Citrus
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
1.67 ozCognacRecommended brandPierre Ferrand 1840 Original Formula
0.33 ozAbsintheRecommended brandPernod Absinthe Supérieure
1 pieceSugar cubeRecommended brandDomino Sugar Cubes
2 dashesPeychaud’s bittersRecommended brandPeychaud’s Aromatic Cocktail Bitters
1 pieceLemon peelOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Lemon
Measured method · one drink
How to make Sazerac
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Rinse the glass
⅓ oz absinthe · crushed ice
Pour ⅓ oz absinthe into the rocks glass, turn it to coat the inside, then add crushed ice and let it chill.
Rinse the glass visual check - 02
Build the base
1⅔ oz Cognac · 1 sugar cube · 2 dashes bitters
In the mixing glass, crush 1 sugar cube with 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters using the bar spoon. Add a little of the measured 1⅔ oz Cognac and stir to dissolve the sugar, then add the remaining Cognac and fill with ice.
Build the base visual check - 03
Stir until cold
Stir · 20 sec
Stir the Cognac mixture smoothly for 20 seconds until cold and properly diluted.
Stir until cold visual check - 04
Strain into the rinse
Discard ice · strain
Discard the crushed ice and excess absinthe, then strain the chilled Cognac mixture into the prepared glass.
Strain into the rinse visual check - 05
Express the lemon
1 lemon peel
Express 1 lemon peel over the surface, trace it around the rim, and rest it on the drink.
Express the lemon visual check
Stir the Cognac mixture smoothly for 20 seconds until cold and properly diluted.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Discard the chilling ice and excess absinthe before straining
Technique note
Why this build works
The absinthe is a glass rinse: most of its listed ⅓ ounce is discarded, leaving an anise aroma rather than a full third-ounce pour in the finished drink. Cognac, sugar, and Peychaud's bitters form the base. Crush the cube with bitters before adding Cognac and ice; check that the sugar dissolves before chilling so it does not remain trapped among the cubes. Serve in the emptied, chilled rocks glass so the dilution reached while stirring does not keep increasing over serving ice.
Common failure points
- Anise overwhelms the Cognac.
- After coating and chilling the glass, discard the chilling ice and all pooled absinthe. The thin coating left on the walls is the intended contribution.
- The drink tastes dry and a sugar lump remains in the mixing glass.
- Crush the sugar with bitters first, then stir with a little of the measured Cognac until no granules remain before adding the remaining Cognac and ice. Coldness and the suggested timer do not prove that the sugar dissolved.
Measure or substitute
Rye whiskey can replace Cognac at 1⅔ ounces for the whiskey variation noted by the IBA. Keep Peychaud's if possible; another aromatic bitters changes its distinctive spice profile. Do not count the full rinse volume as liquid to pour into the base.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Mixing glassRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom YARAI Mixing Glass
Bar spoonRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon
StrainerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Premium Julep Strainer
Rocks glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Drink Specific Rocks Glass
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
Cognac
Absinthe
Peychaud’s bitters
Know the pour
Spirit-forward
A concentrated Cognac drink softened mainly by stirring dilution.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
