Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces (60 ml) Rye Whiskey (preferably a high-proof rye)
  • 1 sugar cube
  • 3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
  • 1/4 ounce (7.5 ml) Absinthe (or Herbsaint, or Pernod)
  • Lemon peel, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Place the Old Fashioned glass in the freezer to chill, or fill with ice while you prepare the cocktail.
  2. Remove ice from the chilled glass. Pour absinthe (or substitute) into the glass, swirl to coat the inside, and discard any excess.
  3. In the mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube with 3 dashes of Peychaud's Bitters and a splash of water until the sugar is dissolved.
  4. Add the rye whiskey to the mixing glass. Fill the mixing glass with ice.
  5. Stir well with a bar spoon (or regular spoon) for about 30 seconds until the mixture is well-chilled and slightly diluted.
  6. Strain the mixture into the absinthe-rinsed Old Fashioned glass. Express the oils from a lemon peel over the glass by twisting the peel. Rub the peel around the rim of the glass, then drop it into the cocktail.
  7. Serve immediately. Consider adding a large ice cube if you desire.