The word "sazerac" is often misspelled due to its French origins and unconventional pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, its pronunciation is /sæzəræk/. The word has a silent "e" at the end and starts with the letter "s" followed by a "a" pronounced with an open-mid front unrounded vowel. A "z" with the voiced alveolar fricative sound follows, then an "e" with an unclear vowel sound. Lastly, the word ends with a "r" and "ac" pronounced with a stressed "a" sound and a voiceless velar stop respectively.
A sazerac is a traditional New Orleans cocktail renowned for its rich flavor and distinctive preparation method. It is typically composed of rye whiskey, absinthe or Herbsaint (a similar liqueur), sugar, Peychaud's bitters, and a lemon peel garnish.
This classic cocktail traces its origins back to the mid-19th century when it was invented by a pharmacist named Antoine Peychaud. The sazerac takes its name from the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brand of cognac, which was the original spirit used in the recipe before being replaced by rye whiskey due to a phylloxera epidemic that devastated French vineyards.
To prepare a sazerac, a rinse of absinthe or Herbsaint is first applied to an old-fashioned glass, imparting an anise flavor. Then, in a separate mixing glass, rye whiskey, sugar, and Peychaud's bitters are combined and stirred with ice until chilled. Subsequently, the absinthe-coated glass is filled with the chilled whiskey mixture and garnished with a twist of lemon peel, expressing the essential oils over the drink, adding aroma and zest.
The resulting sazerac exhibits a robust and complex taste profile, featuring the spiciness of rye, the subtle hints of anise from the absinthe rinse, and the sweetness of sugar and bitters melded together. It is commonly regarded as a quintessential cocktail symbolizing the unique blend of French and American influences in New Orleans' cultural heritage.
The word "sazerac" has its origins in the name of a specific brand of Cognac called Sazerac de Forge et Fils, which was produced by a family-owned distillery in France. This brand of Cognac was used as the original main ingredient in the drink, which eventually became known as the Sazerac cocktail.
In the mid-19th century, the Sazerac cocktail gained popularity in New Orleans, Louisiana. The recipe for this drink evolved over time, and it started incorporating American rye whiskey as a substitute for the French Cognac. This change came about due to the phylloxera epidemic in Europe, which devastated vineyards and reduced the availability of quality Cognac.
The cocktail was named after the brand of Cognac it was initially made with, and the word "sazerac" is derived from the family name "Sazerac de Forge et Fils".