Eben Freeman's Cognac Sazerac

From the kitchen of Carly

A sophisticated take on the classic Sazerac, swapping rye for silky VSOP Cognac. Crushed sugar and Peychaud bitters build the foundation, while absinthe adds herbal intrigue. Stirred down with ice and garnished with lemon, this is cocktail craftsmanship at its finest.

Prep
n/a
Cook
n/a
Total
n/a
Servings
4
Difficulty
medium

Ingredients

4 servings

  • 11 1/2 teaspoons (1/4 ounce) club soda
  • 11 sugar cube (preferably rough-cut and unbleached*) or 1/2 teaspoon raw sugar, such as turbinado or Demerara
  • 14 to 5 dashes Peychaud Bitters
  • 15 tablespoons (2 1/2 ounces) VSOP Cognac
  • 11 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) absinthe
  • 11 cup ice
  • 11 lemon

Instructions

  1. In chilled cocktail shaker or pint glass, pour club soda over sugar cube. Using muddler or back of large spoon, gently crush sugar cube. Swirl glass until sugar dissolves, 20 to 30 seconds, then add bitters and Cognac and set aside.

  2. Pour absinthe into chilled double old-fashioned glass or stemless wineglass. Holding glass horizontally, roll between your thumb and forefinger so absinthe completely coats the interior, then discard excess.

  3. Add ice to cocktail and stir until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain cocktail into chilled glass rinsed with absinthe. Using channel knife, cut thin 4-inch strip of peel from lemon directly over glass, then place peel in glass and serve.