Bourbon-Spiced Sazerac with Absinthe Rinse
A historically precise revival of the New Orleans classic, balancing bourbon's warmth with aromatic bitters and a subtle absinthe finish. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together bourbon, simple syrup, Angostura bitters for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1/4 ounce absinthe
- 1 cube ice
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a chilled cocktail glass, rinse the interior with 1/4 ounce absinthe, swirling to coat the glass evenly, then discard excess.
- Step 2: In a mixing glass, combine 2 ounces bourbon, 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Add 1 ice cube and stir for 30 seconds until well-chilled and diluted.
- Step 3: Strain into the prepared glass over a fresh ice cube, ensuring the absinthe aroma remains visible on the rim.








