White Sazerac

The White Sazerac is a sophisticated and assertive cocktail that swaps the traditional rye whiskey or cognac for the botanical brightness of London Dry Gin. Instead of the classic Peychaud's Bitters, it employs Suze, a French aperitif, which imparts a complex earthy and floral bitterness. The iconic absinthe rinse of the original is retained, providing an aromatic anise nose that beautifully complements the gin and gentian notes. It is a bold, spirit-forward drink for those who appreciate a bitter edge.
White Sazerac

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The White Sazerac is classified as a cocktail. It is considered a modern classic, as it's a contemporary variation of the historic Sazerac, one of the oldest known cocktails.

Serving

The White Sazerac is served straight up in a chilled Old Fashioned glass, delivering a potent and aromatic experience in a compact serving.
Serving size
Approximately 80-90 ml / 2.7-3 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Old Fashioned glass
Glass treatment
Chilled and rinsed with absinthe

Backstory

While its exact origin has multiple claims, the White Sazerac is widely credited to Pableaux Johnson, a New Orleans writer and cocktail enthusiast, in the early 2000s. It was conceived as a lighter, more refreshing alternative to the rich, whiskey-based original, better suited for the warm New Orleans climate. The drink quickly gained popularity among craft cocktail bartenders for its clever reinterpretation of a classic formula.
Origin
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Early 21st Century.

White Sazerac

The drink is consistently known as the White Sazerac, though it could be descriptively called a Gin Sazerac to highlight its base spirit and distinguish it from the classic rye or cognac version.
Original name
White Sazerac
Alternative name
Gin Sazerac

Characteristics overview

This drink boasts a complex aroma of anise and lemon, leading to a bittersweet palate where gin's botanicals meet Suze's earthy gentian root. Its smooth texture and long, clean finish make it a uniquely refreshing and sophisticated sipper.
Flavor
Herbal, bittersweet, citrusy, botanical, anise, juniper, gentian
Aroma
Anise, lemon oils, botanical, earthy
Taste balance
Bitter-forward, lightly sweet
Aftertaste
Long, clean, herbal, bitter
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale yellow, clear, luminous
Texture
Smooth, crisp, slightly viscous
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, crisp

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is intense and complex, dominated by a strong bitterness from the Suze, balanced by a minimal sweetness and the herbal notes of gin.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a base of London Dry Gin, the bittering agent Suze, a touch of simple syrup, and a rinse of absinthe for aroma.
  • London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A classic, juniper-forward gin works best to stand up to the other bold flavors.
  • Suze15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A French gentian liqueur that provides the characteristic yellow color and bitterness.
  • Simple Syrup5 ml / 1 bar spoon
    Use a 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste; some prefer it with less or no syrup.
  • Absinthe5 ml / 1 bar spoon for rinse
    Used to coat the glass for its aromatic qualities. The excess is discarded.
  • Lemon peel1 piece
    For expressing oils over the drink and for garnish.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for stirring

Mixing equipments

You will need a mixing glass and bar spoon to stir and chill the ingredients, along with a strainer to pour the finished drink.
  • Mixing glass
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Bar spoon
  • Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne)

Instructions

The process involves chilling and rinsing a glass with absinthe, stirring the main ingredients with ice, and straining into the prepared glass before garnishing.
1. Chill an Old Fashioned glass by filling it with ice and setting it aside.
2. In a mixing glass, combine the London Dry Gin, Suze, and simple syrup.
3. Fill the mixing glass three-quarters full with cubed ice and stir for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
4. Discard the ice from the chilled Old Fashioned glass. Pour the absinthe into the glass.
5. Swirl the absinthe to coat the entire inner surface of the glass, then discard any excess liquid.
6. Strain the cocktail from the mixing glass into the absinthe-rinsed Old Fashioned glass.
7. Take a fresh lemon peel, hold it over the drink with the pith side facing you, and squeeze it to express the citrus oils over the surface.
8. Drop the lemon peel into the glass as garnish and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple but essential lemon peel garnish adds bright citrus aromatics that complement the cocktail's herbal and bitter notes.
  • Express a lemon peel over the surface of the drink to release its oils, then drop it in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten, and is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie and low-sugar cocktail, with its caloric content primarily coming from the alcohol.
Calories
Approximately 155 kcal / 649 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 6 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 6 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is an excellent aperitif, perfect for stimulating the palate before a meal. It's also a sophisticated choice for cocktail parties and warm-weather gatherings where a crisp, refreshing drink is desired.
  • Aperitif
  • Cocktail Party
  • Summer Evening
  • Celebration

Pairing suggestions

The White Sazerac's bitter and herbal notes pair exceptionally well with briny and savory foods. It cuts through richness, making it a great companion for seafood appetizers, charcuterie boards, and salty snacks.
  • Oysters on the half shell
  • Cured meats and charcuterie
  • Marinated olives
  • Smoked salmon

The White Sazerac: A Bright and Bitter Riff on a Classic

The White Sazerac is a masterful modern reinterpretation of one of America's oldest cocktails. By substituting gin for whiskey and Suze for Peychaud's bitters, it transforms the dark, spicy original into a bright, crisp, and beautifully bitter aperitif. The essential elements of the Sazerac—the preparation method, the absinthe rinse, and the lemon peel garnish—remain, paying homage to its heritage. It is a testament to how classic formulas can be adapted to create new and exciting flavor experiences.

Similar Cocktails

White Negroni

Shares a similar bitter profile, typically made with gin, Lillet Blanc, and a gentian liqueur like Suze. It is stirred and served on the rocks.

Vieux Carré

Another New Orleans classic with rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and two types of bitters.

La Louisiane

A complex rye-based cocktail from New Orleans featuring sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and an absinthe rinse.

Lucien Gaudin

A gin-based Negroni variation with Cointreau, Campari, and dry vermouth, offering a different kind of bitter-citrus complexity.

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