The Sazerac

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"The Sazerac cocktail is the oldest named cocktail on the planet. Dating from the 1840s, it was invented in New Orleans by a pharmacist of French and Caribbean heritage. Its main ingredients were: a proprietary concoction created by the pharmacist; a favored Cognac; and a distilled spirit that was to fall on hard times at the beginning of the 20th century (i.e., Peychaud's bitters, Sazerac Cognac, and absinthe). The Sazerac was a favorite of cafe-society in New Orleans and Paris. Over its popular life, the Sazerac cocktail changed its ingredients completely but kept its name. In one case, a whole new class of ingredient had to be created. The cocktail is more popular today than at any time during its 175-year history. Cocktail connoisseur Tim McNally gives an entertaining and informative history of the drink from its debated origins to its enjoyment today. Recipes included"-- Provided by publisher