Alex, Lil, and I watched the inauguration with tears in our eyes today. We believe there is a lot of room for change in this country, and our hope is with Obama. This afternoon we toasted the new president with a Sazerac cocktail. This is one of the oldest known traditionally American cocktails, reportedly predating the Civil War.
Alex's version:
Swirl 1/4 ounce pernod or absinthe in old fashioned glass. Discard (or chug) the absinthe.
Mix 1/2 tsp raw sugar, 3 dashes bitters, 1/4 tsp lemon juice, ice and 2 ounces rye in cocktail shaker.
Shake, strain, and serve in prepared glass.