First rule of Sazerac-making is you don't f*ck with the Sazerac. It's one of the storied cocktails of New Orleans. For those who respect the sanctity of the Sazerac, here's what you do: put a sugar cube in a rocks glass. Add a quarter teaspoon of water. Muddle, then add a little ice, two ounces of rye, two dashes of Peychaud's (or a little more) and two dashes of Angostura bitters. Stir. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass that's been rinsed with a little absinthe and enjoy.

For those who can break once or twice from the Church of New Orleans, here's a variation.