The Storming of the Sazerac

The Sazerac is considered by some to be The New Orleans cocktail. It is such an important part of New Orleans history that it was named the official cocktail of the city by the Louisiana State Legislature in 2008.

The Sazerac was invented, some say, back in the 1830’s by a Creole apothecary named Antoine Peychaud who became famous for aromatic bitters that claimed to relieve ailments. In fact, Peychaud’s Bitters are still made in New Orleans today and are a key ingredient in a traditional Sazerac. Even more interesting than the beginnings of the popular cocktail is the role that it played in a small women’s liberation movement in 1948.

In the 1930’s the Sazerac was all the rage in New Orleans’ finest establishments, including The Roosevelt New Orleans. The Roosevelt hosted men of the likes of Huey P. Long and did not allow women to enter.  That’s not entirely true. Women were allowed one day a year, on Mardi Gras day. This wasn’t enough and what soon followed was a day to be remembered.

On September 26, 1949, a group of women stormed into the bar and demanded to be served. The bartender was so dumbfounded that he obliged the ladies and they were served. From that day forth, The Roosevelt New Orleans opened its doors to women, allowing New Orleans ladies to enjoy what was then known as the best Sazerac around.

To learn more about the history of the Sazerac please visit the Gumbo Pages and Liqour.com.

To learn more about this historic event, please visit MyNewOrleans.com.