"SPECTACULAR": Sazerac

I can't believe it's just 7AM and I'm thinking about cocktails already!  Anywho...the first cocktail that came to mind when deciding what to serve tomorrow night at our "SPECTACULAR! SPECTACULAR!", was the sazerac.  This is, without a doubt, my favorite cocktail...no matter the season.  It's a drink that I was introduced to, appropriately enough, in New Orleans!  This cocktail will have a featured table and demonstration tomorrow night, that's how much I love this drink!  I hope you grow to love it as much as I do.

1838 Antoine Amedie Peychaud, owner of a New Orleans apothecary, treated his friends to brandy toddies of his own recipe, including his "Peychaud's Bitters," made from a secret family recipe. The toddies were made using a double-ended egg cup as a measuring cup or jigger, then known as a "coquetier" (pronounced "ko-k-tay"), from which the word "cocktail" was derived. Thus, the world's first cocktail was born!


1850 The Sazerac Cocktail, made with Sazerac French brandy and Peychaud's Bitters, was immensely popular, and became the first "branded" cocktail. In 1873, the recipe for the Sazerac Cocktail was altered to replace the French brandy with American Rye whiskey, and a dash of absinthe was added.

1933 The Sazerac Cocktail was bottled and marketed by the Sazerac Company of New Orleans. That same year, "Herbsaint," a pastis, was made according to a French recipe; "Herbsaint" was so named for the New Orleans term for wormwood - "Herb Sainte."

1940 The Official Sazerac Cocktail recipe was modified to use Herbsaint as the absinthe.

2000 The Official Sazerac Cocktail recipe was modified to use Sazerac Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.

Now, do you see why this is my favorite cocktail?  It's a piece of history, pride, and passion...the three things that I consider to be great qualities.  Come spend your evening with us and enjoy!
 

Saturday, April 2nd  6-10 PM

Woodruff-Fontaine House (underside in the clubrooms)

680 Adams Avenue inside the Victorian Village, Memphis

Suggested donation $20 At the door (more if you're inclined)

21 and over only! (and, yes, we check)

Period dress or cocktail dress encouraged