La Louisiane Recipe
Rye stirred with Bénédictine, sweet vermouth, and absinthe — a Vieux Carré-adjacent New Orleans classic for herbal-whiskey loyalists. A New Orleans stirred classic pairing rye with herbal liqueur and absinthe, documented in pre-Prohibition cocktail books.
What Makes It Special
Rye stirred with Bénédictine, sweet vermouth, and absinthe — a Vieux Carré-adjacent New Orleans classic for herbal-whiskey loyalists. Built on rye, it shows the manhattan format at its best: herbal and boozy, finished up.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Rye whiskey
- 0.75 oz Sweet vermouth
- 0.5 oz Bénédictine
- 1 tsp Absinthe (or a rinse)
- 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
- Brandied cherry, for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Rinse a chilled coupe with absinthe, or measure it with the other ingredients.
- Add rye, vermouth, Bénédictine, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir 25-30 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain into the prepared coupe.
- Garnish with a brandied cherry.
The History Behind the Recipe
A New Orleans stirred classic pairing rye with herbal liqueur and absinthe, documented in pre-Prohibition cocktail books.
Presentation and Visual Appeal
Serve up in coupe glass, garnished with brandied cherry. Expect a deep amber-mahogany pour over none, served up.
Pro Tips and Variations
Treat absinthe as seasoning. A rinse gives aroma; a full pour takes over the drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
No Bénédictine?
No substitute is exact — herbal liqueurs differ widely. This is the bottle to buy for this drink.
