The Sazerac Bar Debuts “Sazerac 125” Cocktail to Commemorate 125th Anniversary of The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel Infamous Bar Serves Up $125 Drink as Commemorative Experience
NEW ORLEANS – Jan 8, 2018 – To celebrate The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel’s 125th anniversary its historic in-house bar, The Sazerac Bar, is now serving a commemorative “Sazerac 125” cocktail, offering a few discerning guests and locals a chance to take a sip of history.
The “Sazerac 125” features the famed Thomas Handy Rye, named after the New Orleans bartender who was the first to use rye whiskey in the Sazerac cocktails. Uncut and unfiltered, the straight rye whiskey is bottled directly from the barrel with a nod to the timeless history of New Orleans libations. Thomas Handy Rye features flavors of toffee, fig cake and candied fruit, followed by mint, cinnamon and clove for a long and warm taste. The Sazerac Bar is proud to include this locally inspired rye whiskey as the base for the “Sazerac 125.”
The $125 drink will be sold in limited quantities with only 125 available for sipping.
The cocktail takes the classic New Orleans drink to new heights with a unique recipe: 2 oz Thomas Handy Rye ¼ oz simple syrup (mixed 1:1) 6 dashes Barrel Aged Peychaud’s Bitters Splash of Herbsaint Legendre.
“The 125th anniversary of the hotel is a momentous occasion worth celebrating,” said Sazerac Bar Manager and creator of the commemorative cocktail Hadi Ktiri. “It would be a disservice to celebrate the without acknowledging the landmark cocktail that it helped make this bar and the hotel so famous.”
Invented around 1850 in a saloon on Exchange Alley, the Sazerac, known as the world’s first mixed cocktail, is the most famous drink of New Orleans. The Sazerac Bar has existed in only three locations: Exchange Alley, 300 Carondelet Street and at The Roosevelt New Orleans.
Fun facts about The Sazerac Bar and its namesake cocktail:
• Nearly 30,000 Sazeracs are sold each year in The Sazerac Bar • 30 stirs are required to make a classic Sazerac cocktail (That’s more than 860,000 twists of the wrist required of the bar’s mixologists to prepare individual Sazerac drinks.) • Infamous Louisiana Governor Huey Long loved the Sazerac Bar so much it’s often said that he had Airline Highway built from Baton Rouge to the front steps of the hotel just so he could get there in under an hour. He also once flew a Sazerac Bar bartender to New York to show Big Apple hotel bartenders how he liked his Ramos Gin Fizz, another specialty of The Sazerac Bar, made properly. • The drinks aren’t the only thing for which The Sazerac Bar is famous. When a group of women stormed the bar on September 26, 1949, they demanded equality—and a stiff drink—at a time when women were only allowed to be served on Mardi Gras day. To honor these women and continue their legacy, the annual Stormin’ of the Sazerac includes historic New Orleans libations, cuisine and various festivities. The celebration takes place in the Blue Room each September and includes a three-course luncheon, fashion show and competition. Ladies come dressed in their best 40s outfits. 2019 will be the 70th anniversary of the Stormin’ of the Sazerac.
In addition to the “Sazerac 125”, the hotel is also celebrating its historic anniversary in the Fountain Lounge, the property’s signature in-house restaurant. Guests can “Pick Three” for $18.93, a nod to the year 1893, when the hotel first opened. The Roosevelt Hotel made its debut as the Grunewald Hotel. Despite several owners, name changes, and restorations, the reputation of this glorious establishment has remained unblemished for 125 years. The hotel was renamed The Roosevelt by the 1920s. The legendary landmark building has weathered everything from turns of the century to storms of the century, remaining throughout its storied past a hotel that embodies all that makes New Orleans one of the world’s greatest luxury destinations.
“Nothing compares to The Roosevelt New Orleans’ unique history and timeless luxury,” said General Manager Tod Chambers. “Each guest’s experience speaks to the soul of our remarkable city. It’s been that way for 125 years and we hope to keep it going for another 125.”
The Roosevelt is proud to be an institution that helps shape New Orleans’ history. You’re invited to come be a part of it.
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About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is a portfolio of 30 iconic properties that creates a unique sense of place with a relentless commitment to personal service and culinary expertise in landmark locations around the world. Unified by their inspirational environments and True Waldorf Service, Waldorf Astoria hotels deliver graceful service from the moment a guest books through checkout. Waldorf Astoria is a part of Hilton, a leading global hospitality company. Experience Waldorf Astoria by booking at www.waldorfastoria.com or through the Hilton Honors mobile app. Learn about the brand by visiting newsroom.hilton.com/waldorfastoria, and follow Waldorf Astoria on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.