Cocktail Hour: Sazerac

I'm actually pretty traditional when it comes to my drinking habits. That's why I like Rules so much. It's why I don't care if you can order cocktails via a touch screen or all of the other bells and whistles modern bars seem to like so much.

The Sazerac is one of the oldest cocktails in the world, created in the 1830s. Apparently the first cocktail ever invented in America, it's a simple drink, with the occasional variation. But the base stays the same. Simple cocktails are always best, don't you think?

You'll need:

• 50ml Rye Whiskey (if you're being traditional, try and find Sazerac Whiskey)
• Three dashes of Peychauds bitters
• Absinthe
• 1 teaspoon sugar syrup
• Lemon peel twist

Shake it!

Add some ice to an Old fashioned glass and remove when cool. Run Absinthe around the glass to coat and then discard any remaining liquid. Mix the sugar syrup and the bitters together and add the rye whiskey. Mix together and then pour into the absinthe coated glass. Place the lemon twist on the rim of the glass. Voila! The oldest cocktail in the world.

Flickr image from Infrogmation's photostream.