The Sazerac is a classic New Orleans cocktail, easy drinking the whole year round (not just during Mardi Gras). H. Joseph Ehrmann, owner of Elixir, and Jonny Raglin, bar manager of Absinthe, both in San Francisco, describe what makes the perfect Sazerac: the right whiskey, bitters, and absinthe mixed in just the right balance. If any of the ingredients overpower the others, you’ll be left with a too-sweet or alcohol-heavy drink. Optional, though recommended: Watch the video while sipping your own Sazerac.