"the" drink

Clue #1: It is the oldest known American cocktail
Clue #2: In 2008, it was named the official cocktail of New Orleans
Clue #3: If made with the proper ingredients, you will hallucinate

It is the SAZERAC!

The obsession started one random night while eating sushi at Wasabi. Joseph decided he was going to be adventurous and order a drink he had never tried. One spoken word to the waiter and ten minutes later, the kid developed a lifelong obsession with the drink. It was love at first sip (the kind that makes you see hearts and fireworks all in unison with a leg pop). I'm pretty sure he now makes up bad days to have an excuse to make his beloved mistress of a cocktail. I'm perfectly okay with it though; it gives me an excuse to buy more McCarty gin and tonic glasses. His obsession has grown to the extremes of this drink needing its own "minibar" station. (notice the missing Herbsaint, I'm pretty sure it went on an across the world expedition with Carmen San Diego to never be heard from again)

If you want to give it a try, here is the recipe:
- 2 oz rye whiskey
- 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters (easy to find)
- 1 sugar cube
- splash of Herbsaint (impossible to find)
- lemon twist

In one glass, pack with ice and water to chill the glass.
In a second glass, muddle the sugar cube with the bitters. Add the rye and stir.
Empty the ice and water from the first glass. Pour the Herbsaint into the chilled glass and swirl to coat the sides. Discard any excess.
Pour the rye/sugar/bitters mixture into the coated glass.
Twist a lemon peel over the glass and rub the rim of the glass with the peel. The peel can be discarded or placed into the cocktail. Enjoy!

Be prepared for bumps in the cocktail road such as being overzealous with the size of your ice cubes thanks to the King Cube tray (these are also an obsession of his).