Antoine Amédée Peychaud came to New Orleans from the island of San Domingo, the former French colony that is now Haiti. By 1832 he owned an apothecary in the French Quarter where he made his famous bitters. These bitters gave a little zest to the elixirs he sold at his pharmacy and over time Peychaud's bitters became wildly popular. His recipe of distilled spirits infused with botanicals is still used today.

Peychaud's is an essential ingredient in the official Sazerac cocktail and an indispensable staple in any sophisticated bar.