With origins that date back to pre-Civil War New Orleans, the Sazerac is widely touted as being the original American cocktail. The drink itself has evolved since its creation and is now considered a combination of Rye whiskey, Peychaud's bitters, and a sugar cube. Garnished with a lemon peel, the Sazerac is usually served straight up in an old fashioned glass that's been rinsed with absinthe.