We’re now less than a month from Mardi Gras, and you might be starting to think about ending dry January. If you’d like to switch up your Sazerac this year, why not consider a De La Louisiane? Originally from Famous New Orleans Drinks, this Manhattan cousin adds some flair with the addition of absinthe and Benedictine to thinks to the next level.
De La Louisiane
The De La Louisiane is a wonderful creole inspired Manhattan that bursts with herbal complexity. The spice and herbal notes of the rye shine through, while the sweetness of the vermouth and the Benedictine give a canvas with which the absinthe and bitters can weave their complex magic over. The result is silky, smooth, spicy, and delightfully complexly herbal cocktail that’s ever so slightly sweet. Fans of Manhattans and those that like Sazeracs should consider this a must try.
Drink Notes & Recommendations
The primary variation for the De La Louisiane is the amount of Benedictine used. The range goes from ¼ to ¾ oz. We chose a half here to moderate sweetness, but you can adjust as needed. As for dashes, we typically estimate a healthy dash is around .02 – .04 oz. We aim to be between .08 and .12 oz for 3 dashes.
- Rye – We went full on into the earthy / herbal side of rye with Wild Turkey 101 Rye here. Feel free to experiment to make a sweet combination, with ryes that are less spice and herb focused (Rittenhouse / Sazerac), but remember you might need to adjust your Benedictine for sweetness in this scenario.
- Sweet Vermouth – We utilized the more vanilla forward Carpano Antica here (which is our go to) and the strong flavors at work here can tolerate it. Feel free to use your favorite here if you don’t have Carpano.
- Benedictine – Due to the herbal notes and honeyed sweetness that go into this brandy based liqueur, we don’t recommend swapping this for anything else. Similar to certain other classics, this is both a specific liqueur and a brand recommendation.
- Absinthe – We used St. George Absinthe Verte, but absinthe can be limited by location. If you can’t find an absinthe, consider a pastis, like Pernod.
- Peychaud’s Bitters – These are the standard for any Sazerac. You can purchase them at most well appointed liquor stores or through Amazon*.
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