Sazerac Cocktail

A powerful, brawny cocktail of rye, absinthe, and Peychaud's bitters, the Sazerac is timeless for a reason.

Sazerac and Cider

The true apple flavor of hard cider is a natural partner for a warming spirit like rye and even plays well with the anise and botanicals in Pernod, which can be a bit of an oddball to mix.

Architects and Kings

Bartender Josh Relkin developed this recipe for Sable Kitchen & Bar in Chicago. It plays on the bitter side of coffee, adding herbal amaro and spicy bitters. Topped with whipped cream, it's a great way to wind down after dinner.

Cocktail à la Louisiane

First documented 70 years ago in Arthur's Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix 'Em, the Cocktail à la Louisiane has been largely ignored since then. It's worth the effort to search out the ingredients (or a talented bartender in a well-stocked establishment) and bring this drink into the 21st century.

The Federation

This Sazerac variation swaps in añejo tequila instead of rye and uses creme de cacao for sweetener.

Diamondback

Let's start the weekend right--with a cocktail recipe from Paul Clarke (The Cocktail Chronicles). Need more than one? Hit up the archives. Cheers! [Flickr: Michael Dietsch] Sometimes, at this time of the year, you want a drink that's light and...

Bourbon Renewal Cocktail

This recipe comes from Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Portland's Clyde Common. Sweet crème de cassis mixes with oaky bourbon to produce a delicious take on the classic whiskey sour.

Apricot Rhyme

Rye plus thyme (rhyme, get it?). This cocktail from Ryan Gannon of The Spotted Pig is herbal on the nose, more fruit-forward on the finish.

Frisco Sour

A complex rye cocktail in which Benedictine plays a small but delicious role, the Frisco Sour marries the spiciness of rye to the sweet herbal qualities of Benedictine. But because Benedictine's sweetness can so easily overpower other ingredients, it's held in check here by lemon juice. In this dry, bracing drink, rye takes the forefront.

The Arnaud's Special

With the advance of autumn, it's time to break out the dark-spirit drinks suitable to the cooler seasons. The Arnaud's Special is a close cousin to the Rob Roy, and was the house cocktail for Arnaud's Restaurant in New Orleans during the 1940s and '50s.