The De La Louisiane is an old New Orleans cocktail. It’s the bayou city’s version of the Manhattan. It’s the Herbsaint or absinthe that makes it different and almost brings it into the Sazerac territory, which happens to be one of my favorite cocktails. Like I said, it’s an old drink, from a 1937 cocktail book from New Orleans. It’s got heritage, one might say. I happened to get the recipe from the PDT Cocktail book, but the recipe’s the same.
To make a De La Louisiane cocktail, stir with ice:
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| The De La Louisiane Cocktail: Rye, Benedictine, Vermouth, Peychaud’s, Herbsaint |
- 2 oz Old Overholt rye whiskey
- 3/4 oz Benedictine
- 3/4 oz sweet vermouth
- 3 dashes Herbsaint or absinthe
- 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
and strain into a coupe with a cherry.
The result is a mix between a Manhattan and a Sazerac, with the absinthe and Peychaud’s nose of the Sazerac, and the sweet vermouth/whiskey taste of the Manhattan. It’s utterly drinkable, too. It reminds me of the bayous and the ports, some similarities between New Orleans and my own bayou city, Houston. Be careful, though: it packs a wallop. After two of them, you’ll have to call a cab.
PDT adapts the recipe to a more spirits forward one from the Stanley Clisby recipe which is equal parts rye, vermouth, & Benedictine. Not sure if they did that for cost purposes (Benedictine is 3x pricier than Old Overholt) or for a more modern/NYC palate. Great drink either way.
This is a great cocktail! It’s going to become one of my favorites. Love a Sazerac, and also a Manhattan. This is an amazing blend of the two! Thanks very much.