# Sazerac

> Sazerac, the IBA official recipe: 50 ml cognac, 10 ml absinthe, 1 sugar cube and 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters. Stirred and served in an old fashioned glass without ice, garnished with lemon zest.

Cognac, sugar and Peychaud’s bitters in an absinthe-rinsed glass. New Orleans’ official cocktail.

- IBA category: [IBA: The Unforgettables](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/unforgettables/index.md)
- Main spirit: [Brandy & cognac cocktails](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/brandy-cocktails/index.md)
- Method: Stirred (stirred with ice in a mixing glass)
- Glass: Old fashioned glass
- Served: Straight up, no ice
- Strength: about 28.3% ABV once diluted by ice, about 1.5 standard drinks (14 g of alcohol each)
- Volume: 65 ml (2⅛ oz) before ice, about 94 ml in the glass
- Taste: Herbal, Spirit-forward

## Ingredients

Amounts are for one drink. Ounces use 30 ml to the ounce.

- 50 ml (1⅔ oz) [Cognac](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/cognac/index.md)
- 10 ml (⅓ oz) [Absinthe](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/absinthe/index.md)
- 1 [Sugar cube](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/simple-syrup/index.md) (or 7.5 ml (¼ oz) simple syrup)
- 2 dashes [Peychaud’s bitters](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/peychauds/index.md)

## Method

1. Rinse a chilled old-fashioned glass with the absinthe, add crushed ice and set it aside.
2. Stir the remaining ingredients over ice in a mixing glass.
3. Discard the ice and any excess absinthe from the prepared glass, strain the mixed drink into the glass.

## Garnish

Lemon zest.

## Notes

The original recipe changed after the American Civil War, Rye Whiskey substituted Cognac as it became hard to obtain.

## If you like the Sazerac

- [Champagne Cocktail](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/champagne-cocktail/index.md): Sparkling wine, cognac, Angostura bitters and simple syrup
- [Vieux Carré](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/vieux-carre/index.md): Rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine and Peychaud’s bitters

## Source

- Recipe as specified by the International Bartenders Association: https://iba-world.com/iba-cocktail/sazerac/
- IBA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhX3pwiDyeU
- Strength is an estimate that allows for dilution from ice; brands vary.

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- Canonical page: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/sazerac/
- Language: en
- Recipe data: International Bartenders Association specifications on iba-world.com, checked 22 October 2026
- Maintained by Jigger, an independent index not affiliated with or endorsed by the IBA. All pages: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/sitemap.md