The Handy & Schiller brand was named in honor of two founding personalities of the Sazerac Company. In 1857, John Schiller became part owner of New Orleans’ Sazerac Coffee House, named for the first branded cocktail in America, the "Sazerac Brandy." By 1860, Schiller had become the sole owner of the coffee house and hired Thomas Handy, who would take over the business nine years later. His Thomas Handy Co. would specialize in importing Sazerac Brandy and other wines and liquors from France. Handy eventually changed the recipe of the Sazerac cocktail, replacing the French brandy with American rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, and a dash of absinthe.

Exclusively from The Sazerac Company, Manhattan pre-mixed cocktails are blended perfectly then aged in Sazerac Rye barrels to impart an additional smooth, oaky flavor.