Absinthe Sazerac Food

SAZERAC COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Chill one old fashioned glass and use another for mixing (this is the tradition, as opposed to a mixing glass or shaker). Place the sugar cube in the glass for mixing. Add a couple of drops of water and muddle the sugar cube until it is a paste. Pour in the whiskey and both bitters. Add ice cubes and stir.
• Into the chilled glass, add a dash of absinthe and swirl it around the glass until it is coated; discard any excess. Strain the whiskey mixture into the coated glass. Squeeze the lemon peel over the drink and drop it in as a garnish. Serve immediately.

ABSINTHE SAZERAC

Steps:

• Fill old-fashioned glass with 1 cup ice and set aside. In second old-fashioned glass, stir together sugar, bitters, and ½ teaspoon water until sugar is completely dissolved, about 30 seconds. Add rye whiskey and remaining ½ cup ice, and stir well, at least 15 seconds. From first glass, discard ice, then add absinthe. Holding glass horizontally, roll it between your thumbs and forefingers so that absinthe completely coats the interior, then discard excess. Strain rye whiskey mixture into chilled, absinthe-coated glass. Squeeze lemon peel over drink, making sure oils fall into glass, then drop peel into drink, and serve.

CLASSIC SAZERAC COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Chill an old-fashioned glass by filling it with ice. Let it sit while you prepare the rest of the drink.
• In a mixing glass, soak the sugar cube with the bitters and muddle to crush the cube .
• Add the rye whiskey and stir.
• Discard the ice in the chilled glass. Rinse it with absinthe: Pour a small amount into the glass, swirl it around, then discard the liquid.
• Pour the whiskey mixture into the absinthe-rinsed glass.
• Gently squeeze the lemon twist over the drink to release its essence. Traditionalists typically discard it and rarely drop it into the glass; lay it on the rim as a garnish if you like. Serve and enjoy.

WHISKEY COCKTAIL WITH ABSINTHE: THAT'LL TAKE THE EDGE OFF

Steps:

• Pour absinthe into a chilled rocks glass and swirl around the glass's interior to rinse it; set aside.
• Combine all remaining ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir until very well chilled, then strain into the prepared rocks glass without ice. Spritz a 1-inch round of grapefruit peel, skin side down, over the surface of the drink and discard.

MAKE-AHEAD SAZERAC

Steps:

• Combine 3 cups rye whiskey, 1/3 cup simple syrup, 1 tablespoon absinthe, 1 1/2 teaspoons Angostura bitters, and 3/4 cup ice water in a large pitcher; chill until very cold, at least 2 hours and up to 1 day. Divide among chilled rocks glasses and garnish each with a lemon twist.