Sazerac: The Official Cocktail?
Rye Whiskey Concoction Rejected as Louisiana's Official Mixed Drink
Louisiana Legislature briefly considered making the Sazerac America's first official state cocktail. But the idea was rejected.
America has lived more than two centuries without an official cocktail, but a Louisiana legislator tried to remedy that with a rye whiskey concoction invented by a New Orleans pharmacist in the 1830s. It’s called the Sazerac and some say it was the nation’s first cocktail.
In 2008 the Louisiana Legislature considered naming the Sazerac as the state’s official cocktail. States have official flowers, birds, trees, fruit, vegetables, horses, fish and numerous other officially designated items, but a spokesman for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)said it knows of no official cocktail. It still hasn't because the Louisiana legislature killed the Sazerac bill.
The closest thing to an official cocktail is probably Conecuh Ridge Alabama Fine Whiskey. However, the Alabama whiskey is designated as that state’s "official spirit," not as a cocktail.
In 2004 the Alabama Legislature declared that Conecuh Ridge "is produced using pure Alabama water and embodies family pride, independence, entrepreneurial drive, innovation, and respect for the tradition and craftsmanship which is evident in this family tradition."
If any citizen questions the need or time spent on such resolutions, they are overlooking the political risk legislators take in endorsing a whiskey and cocktail. Ed Anderson of The Times-Picayune said at least one Louisiana legislator expected to "have a little fun" with the cocktail bill, but it didn't last long..
Sazerac Made with Rye Whiskey, Peychaud Bitters and Hersaint
The Sazerac is made with Sazerac rye whiskey, sugar, Peychaud’s Bitters, Herbsaint, a splash of water and a lemon garnish.
Both the Sazerac and its essential bitters were developed by Antoine Peychaud, a New Orleans pharmacist who enjoyed mixing drinks for friends. The Sazerac is still produced in New Orleans by the Sazerac Company.
Despite its historic advantage, the Sazerac was never a slam-dunk selection for the Louisiana title. The Ramos Gin Fizz is a half century younger, but was also developed in New Orleans and is still one of the city’s favorites.
Huey Long Took Bartender to New York to Make Ramos Ginn Fizz
In 1935 the Ramos Gin Fizz would have been a runaway selection because Governor Huey Long made everyone aware it was his favorite. The flamboyant governor brought a New Orleans bartender to the New Yorker Hotel to show the staff there how to make the drink for him wen he visited the Big Apple.
Both the Sazerac and the Ramos Gin Fizz owe much of their popularity to the former Roosevelt Hotel, a one-time haven for Long and other politicians in downtown New Orleans. The hotel trademarked the name Ramos Gin Fizz and had a lounge/restaurant named The Sazerac.
Some legislators could also make a case for the tall pink "Hurricane" rum cocktail produced by Pat O’Briens in the French Quarter. Young people and tourists have probably quaffed more "Hurricanes" than the total Sazeracs and Ramos Gin Fizzes sipped by the city’s more sophisticated drinkers. Pat O’Brien’s even packages and sells "Hurricane" glasses and mixes internationally.
Museum of the American Cocktail Looking for French Quarter Home
The official cocktail issue was raised at what was thought to be an appropriate time because the Museum of the American Cocktail is seeking a permanent home in the New Orleans French Quarter.
Sources:
- Ed Anderson, The Times-Picayune, March 18, 2008
- Museum of the American Cocktail
- The Sazerac Company, New Orleans
- Pat O’Brien’s,New Orleans
- The Troy (AL) Messenger, Sept. 7, 2004
- Alabama Dept. of Archives & History
