Cocktail Atlas

Velvet Sazerac

A luxurious rendition of the Sazerac with velvet falernum and absinthe.

Cocktail Atlas · Updated

Spirit
Rye Whiskey
Glass
Rocks glass
Method
Stirred
Difficulty
Advanced
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An amber drink in a rocks glass with a lemon peel on a slate coaster, next to a mixing glass and bar spoon

Velvet Sazerac

Ingredients

Ingredients for Velvet Sazerac. Tick each one as you add it.
AddedMeasureIngredient
2 oz
½ oz
2 dashes
, rinse

Steps

  1. Rinse a chilled rocks glass with absinthe.
  2. Stir the remaining ingredients with ice and strain into the glass.
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Garnish Lemon twist

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Batch it For a party of 4–20

Makes 8 drinks, about 24 oz · 720 ml before ice.

Velvet Sazerac batch
AmountIngredient
16 oz · 480 mlRye Whiskey
4 oz · 120 mlVelvet Falernum
16 dashesPeychaud’s Bitters
Absinthe
4 oz · 120 mlCold water, for dilution (approx.)

The water stands in for the melt from stirring: about 20% for a stirred drink. It is an approximation, so taste and adjust. Chill the batch at least 2 hours and pour over fresh ice.

Fits one 750 ml bottle; a funnel helps.

Made it?

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Why it works

An absinthe rinse coats the glass with anise aroma, so every sip starts with it without the flavor taking over. Rye brings spice, Peychaud’s bitters add a bright, floral bitterness, and velvet falernum, a spiced lime-and-clove liqueur, adds sweetness and warmth in place of sugar. Stirring keeps it clear and smooth; the lemon twist adds brightness.

Substitutions

  • No absinthe? Use a pastis or anise liqueur for the rinse.
  • No falernum? Use ¼ oz simple syrup with a dash of Angostura.
  • Angostura can replace Peychaud’s; the drink will be spicier and less floral.

Variations

Questions

What is an absinthe rinse?
Pour a small amount of absinthe into the glass, swirl to coat the inside, and pour out the excess before adding the drink.
What is velvet falernum?
A sweet liqueur flavored with lime, clove and almond. It adds both sweetness and spice.

Making it: Velvet Sazerac

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