La Louisiane recipe
A complex, herbaceous New Orleans classic marrying rye whiskey, Bénédictine, and dual bitters.
Method: Stir ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Advanced ·
Family: Modern Classics
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye whiskey (High-rye mash bill, bottled-in-bond preferred)
- 3/4 oz Sweet vermouth (Rich, full-bodied Italian style)
- 1/4 oz Bénédictine (French herbal liqueur)
- 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters (New Orleans aromatic bitters)
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters (Classic aromatic bitters)
- 1 tsp Absinthe (For glass rinse)
- 1 Brandied cherry (For garnish)
How to make a La Louisiane
- Rinse a chilled coupe glass with absinthe, discard the excess, and set aside.
- Combine rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, Peychaud's bitters, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir continuously for thirty seconds until thoroughly chilled and diluted.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared coupe glass.
- Garnish with a single brandied cherry dropped into the center.
Garnish
a single brandied cherry dropped into the center
Pro tip
Measure carefully, keep the dilution controlled, and serve La Louisiane as soon as it is cold and balanced.
History of the La Louisiane
First appearing in print in Stanley Clisby Arthur's 1937 guide Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix 'Them, the La Louisiane was created as the signature drink of the eponymous Restaurant La Louisiane on Iberville Street. While precise attribution to an individual bartender remains debated, the recipe stands as a monument to mid-century New Orleans cocktail craftsmanship.
Flavour profile
Boozy, Herbal, Sweet, Bitter
Variations
- Cognac La Louisiane substituting aged French cognac for half or all of the rye whiskey for a richer profile — A bartender's variation on the original.
- Mezcal La Louisiane featuring artisanal Oaxacan mezcal in place of rye for a smoky, earthy dimension — A bartender's variation on the original.
- Barrel-Aged La Louisiane rested in charred oak mini-barrels for two weeks to mellow and meld the botanicals — A bartender's variation on the original.
Practise making the La Louisiane in the free Virtual Bar game.