Sazerac vs. Old Fashioned: Clearing the Confusion

Let’s start there. Sazerac (often misspelled “sezarac”) is both a classic cocktail and the name of a specific whiskey. The cocktail hails from New Orleans and traditionally features rye whiskey, a sugar cube, Peychaud’s bitters, and an absinthe-rinsed glass, finished with a lemon peel. Separately, Sazerac is also a bourbon (and rye) brand, which leads many people to wonder whether they’re ordering a drink or a spirit.

Here’s the fun part: you can absolutely make a Sazerac cocktail using Sazerac whiskey—in other words, a Sazerac made with a Sazerac. It’s correct, traditional, and delicious, even if it sounds like a tongue twister.

The Old Fashioned, by contrast, is more flexible and minimalist. It typically uses bourbon or rye, sugar, and Angostura bitters, stirred down and garnished with citrus. No absinthe, no specific bitters requirement, and far less ritual—just a showcase for the base spirit.

In short:

• Old Fashioned: straightforward, customizable, spirit-first.

• Sazerac: aromatic, structured, and steeped in tradition—with a name that likes to keep people guessing.

If you want to explore both sides of the comparison (and clear up the Sazerac-on-Sazerac mystery in one sitting), Frost Lounge in Doylestown has all of it—Old Fashioneds, Sazeracs, and the Sazerac whiskey itself—ready to pour.