The Sazerac is a local variation of a cognac or whiskey cocktail originally from New Orleans, named for the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brand of cognac brandy. The drink is most traditionally a combination of cognac or rye whiskey, absinthe, Peychaud’s Bitters, and sugar. The cocktail, which is a close cousin to the Old Fashioned, has been kicking around in one form or another since as early as 1838 and was trademarked in 1900 by Sazerac Co.