Absinthe Blog

Although the liquor known as absinthe was officially discovered by Dr. Pierre Ordinaire, a Frenchman, he was in Switzerland at the time. For that reason the Swiss claim a shared ownership of the famed juice. When the thujone-containing beverage became known as “madness in a bottle”, the international community banned the sale and distribution of it. Swiss absinthe was banned in 1910. It was actually disallowed in the country’s constitution. In the year 2000 it was removed as a constitutional illegality, but remained illegal according to common laws of the land.

As of May 1, 2005, the ban was lifted in Switzerland completely. This was a direct result of the international trend to again embrace the hard beverage. The Swiss government saw an opportunity to generate revenue from heavy taxation on the enormously popular drink. Thus the legal production of traditional Swiss absinthe was reestablished. A tradition and history of quality distillation was reborn.

Swiss absinthe, along with several French varieties is known as the finest the world has to offer. Few countries, including the US, still disallow the production and sales of the wormwood-based intoxicant known to many as “The Green Fairy”. However, a distinct difference in the Swiss varieties lies in the fact that they are not macerated with chlorophyll-containing herbs which offer absinthe its green hue. These colorless varieties of absinthe are known as La Bleues. The Swiss are said to have left these varieties colorless during the period of absinthe prohibition because of the fact that is was easier to hide them as compared to their green-hued counterparts.

As with many Swiss products, the Swiss produce their absinthe with great care for quality and authenticity. They generally employ a combination of the “Holy Trinity” of ingredients: wormwood, fennel, and anise. They also utilize traditional methods of production, specifically the distillation process. True, traditional absinthe must be distilled in the opinions of absinthe connoisseurs because this mellows the extremely bitter nature of macerating wormwood and ethanol. So grab a bottle of high-quality Swiss absinthe and imbibe today! According to the Swiss, that’s how it is meant to be experienced.

Aside from alcohol, the other main component in Absinthe is thujone.  Although thujone’s mechanism is not known, it is considered to be a convulsant.  It is believed that there are structural similarities between thujone and tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the active component in marijuana.  This made people think that both substances have the same site of action in the brain.  But these chemicals have been used for ages for medicinal purposes because of their therapeutic claims when taken correctly.

Thujone makes up about 40 to 90 percent of the essence of wormwood, a major ingredient in Absinthe.  This would make thujone appear to be a good candidate for a second active component in Absinthe.  Thujone is shown to cause adverse effects and it is believed to be the component responsible for the ban of Absinthe in many countries.  It has long been considered that thujone is the neurotoxic cause of absinthism.  Thujone has been suggested to cause addictions, hyperactivity, hallucinations and psychedelics.  But there is no direct evidence to support this.

Absinthe is composed of 75 percent alcohol, the alcohol’s effects will control the amount of thujone a person can ingest.  Even with just a moderate amount of Absinthe, you can become drunk from the alcohol.  The thujone would have to be either active at a very low dose or be present in high quantities in order to have a considerable effect.  In a regular dose of Absinthe, there is 2 to 4 milligrams of thujone, which is way below the level wherein acute pharmacological effects are observed.  But frequent intake may cause thujone to build up in the body, and increase the chance of getting seizures of hallucinations.  As with any other drug, each individual’s reaction is different.  But a single serving of Absinthe would unlikely have any lasting effects.

Absinthe cocktails are as numerous and varied as the myths and legends that surround the distilled adult beverage. The cocktails listed here are all creations of enthusiasts of The Green Fairy from times near and far. Let it be known that absinthe in its traditional form is a highly alcoholic, twice-macerated distillate that is flavored heavily of anise. Modern spins have been induced upon the original recipes and methods of production defiling the authentic properties of absinthe proper. First, the traditional drink in pure form, Absinthe louche:

Traditional Louche
1 shot (1 to 1 ½ ounces) of Absinthe is poured in a glass.
A special slotted spoon is the placed in a centered fashion atop the glass. (In absence of such a spoon, a tea strainer can be used.)
A sugar cube is placed upon the slotted spoon.
Ice cold water is slowly drizzled over the sugar cube until it is completely dissolved and the Absinthe is diluted to a ratio between 3:1 and 5:1.
*True connoisseurs of absinthe would used no sugar*
The exposure of certain non water-soluble herbal components of absinthe causes the concoction to cloud up. The resulting mixture, in its now opaque form, is called a louche.

And now, some of the modern spins:

Absinthe Minded
1 shot Absinthe.
1 shot coffee liqueur.
1 shot Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Layer these ingredients in a chilled Collins glass and sip slowly. To skip the sipping will most probably lead you to the floor!

The Absinthe Eye
1 shot Absinthe.
1 shot peppermint liqueur.
Shake together with ice and serve in a whiskey glass.
Too many of these and at least one of your eyes will lose the ability to see!

The Sea Captain
2 shots Absinthe.
The juice of ½ lemons.
Squeeze the juice from the lemon into the Absinthe into a chilled glass. Sip with ease or fall to your knees, mate! Prevents more than scurvy.

The primary ingredient in absinthe is common drinking alcohol, ethanol. The hard beverage is classified as liquor, not a liqueur as commonly misconceived. It is created through a double macerating and distilling process. The three ingredients most universally accepted for the making of absinthe are green anise (Pimpinella anisum), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia pontica), and Florence fennel (differing cultivars of Foeniculum vulgare). These three ingredients of traditional absinthe have come to be known as the “Holy Trinity”. The beverage, although named after wormwood, has relatively little of it in its final composition with anise being the predominant herb utilized.

The “Holy Trinity” ingredients of absinthe are crushed and macerated in alcohol. This resulting substance is then distilled to yield a colorless alcoholic distillate called a Blanche or a Bleue. This substance is then secondarily macerated with chlorophyll containing herbs such as petite wormwood, hyssop, melissa, lemon balm, veronica, angelica, coriander, and Sweet Flag. The resulting green-colored absinthe is called verte. The green color was most likely not the desired result of these additional herbs; however it contributed greatly to the popularity of the beverage. This substance is then reduced with water to yield the desired alcohol content.

The most notorious component of absinthe is thujone. Thujone, a ketone, is a fragrant, oily chemical (C10H16O) found in many plants including wormwood. It was believed to be a neurotoxin, and therefore became the scapegoat reason for the international ban of absinthe by 1915. However, only by modern chemical analysis techniques has it be discovered that very little thujone survives the process of distillation. It turns out that the high alcohol concentration of absinthe was the only “poison” that the concoction contained. With the production ban lifted in most countries, the ingredients of absinthe are once again combined to create one of the worlds most sought after adult beverages. With moderation in mind, Enjoy!

Why should anyone want to drink absinthe? Why should a person wish to drink a solution of wormwood, fennel, and anise macerated in high concentrations of ethanol? The reasons are uncountable!

Many are attracted to the act of drinking absinthe through the repetition of stories of its consumption by many a famous historic character: Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Hemingway, and Oscar Wilde to name a few. Known to many as “The Green Fairy”, absinthe is reported to have aphrodisiacal and hallucinogenic traits. It is said that Vincent van Gogh was drinking absinthe at the time of his famous ear-lopping incident. At the time of the aforementioned nearly global ban, it was commonly called “madness in a bottle”. The rebel-spirited of the planet are no doubt enticed by such a sorted history.

As a solution created by combining herbs including wormwood, fennel, anise, hyssop, coriander, angelica, veronica, and Sweet Flag, absinthe is a virtual mega-remedy of uncountable ailments for believers in the healing qualities of herbs. It is also reported to pack quite a wallop of a buzz. How many more reasons does one need to get in on the act of drinking absinthe and absinthe-based cocktails? Here are a few modern recipes to try out for you:

The Absinthe Eye
1 shot Absinthe
½ shot peppermint liqueur
Shake well and pour into a cocktail glass. Drink a few of these and at least one of your eyes will go shut!

Absinthe B-55
1 shot Absinthe
1 shot coffee liqueur
1 shot Bailey’s Irish Cream
Layer these shots in a whiskey glass. Sip slowly or you may end up licking the floor!
 

Absinthe-minded Martini
½ shot Absinthe
3 shots gin
½ shot Grand Mariner
Dry vermouth
Chill a cocktail glass and swirl with ½ shot dry vermouth. Shake together the Absinthe, gin, and Grand Mariner with ice. Pour into chilled glass.

This is not for the weak, or the innocent!

Absinthe is defined as a distilled, highly alcoholic, anise-flavored drink that is derived from a variety of herbs.  Absinthe is not bottled and has no added sugar so it cannot be technically classified as a liquor or spirit, even though it is usually referred to as Absinthe liquor.

There is a special way to drink Absinthe.  Traditionally, the Absinthe liquor is poured into a glass over which an Absinthe spoon is placed.  This is a type of slotted spoon that is specially designed for the use of Absinthe.  After that, one or two sugar cubes are placed in the bowl of the spoon.  Then ice-cold water is poured over the sugar and it will drip into the Absinthe liquor until the drink is diluted 3:1 to 5:1 ratio.  Adding water is important because it makes the herbs blossom and brings out the rest of the flavors that are originally overpowered by the anise. During this process, the parts that are not water-soluble will come out of the solution and cloud the drink.  Anise, fennel and star anise are the usual ingredients that would cause the Absinthe liquor to have a milky opalescent quality.  This kind of consistency is commonly referred to as the louche.

A lot of people say that good quality Absinthe liquor should not require sugar, although this can just be added according to taste.  The sugar will also help thicken the mouth-feel of the drink.

When ordering Absinthe in bars, the drink is usually served in standard glasses, although there are specifically made glasses for Absinthe.  These glasses have a line in its lower portion to mark the amount of Absinthe dose that should be poured into it.  A dose of Absinthe liquor is around 1 ounce (30ml) and most glasses use this as the standard amount.

Absinthe liquor is increasingly becoming popular because of its unique flavor and effects. Unfortunately, the ban in the United States as ordered by the Food and Drug Administration has made it nearly impossible to have a taste of the controversial liquor. Because of this ban, some people have resorted to making their own absinthe in the comfort of their own home using absinthe kits sold online.

Traditionally, absinthe is made using a simple process that involves steeping wormwood in another drink such as wine or beer. Considered to be simpler than the modern distillation technique, this steeping method is quicker with a resulting absinthe that is quite acceptable.

If you browse the many sites that sell absinthe kits, you will observe that these absinthe kits differ. Some absinthe kits are more of a “starter set’ and contain a couple of bottles of absinthe together with glasses and spoons. These absinthe kits are great for first timers, who have yet to experience the distinct taste of absinthe. On the other hand, there are some absinthe kits that are best for experienced absinthe drinkers. These absinthe kits contain the actual ingredients for making absinthe. The absinthe kits usually include wormwood herbal mixture, flavoring mixture, granulated sugar and small bottles of vodka or other neutral spirits.

The absinthe kits also come with detailed instructions on how to use the ingredients to make absinthe. The procedure is easy to understand and simple enough for anyone to follow. By carefully following the step by step instructions, you will find yourself enjoying a glass of absinthe in a short time. To ensure that your absinthe kits contain real and fresh herbs, make sure you purchase them from reliable online vendors such as Green Devil Absinthe Kits or Eabsinthe. These vendors can also provide you with great recipes and tips for making absinthe, so they make a great learning source as well.

When drinking Absinthe, it is better paired with a fine, original Absinthe glass. There are several selections to choose from.

Types of Absinthe Glasses

Tarragona style crystal glass – This antique hand-blown and hand-cut crystal glass comes with a matching brouilleur. You would be able to fully appreciate the beauty of the Absinthe’s louche since this is made of fine, crystal-clear glass. The matching brouilleur delivers a fine and steady drip into the glass. Connoisseurs say that the preparation of Absinthe is most enjoyable with the use of this Absinthe glass.

Cordon reservoir glass – This is one of the rarest of all Absinthe glass styles. This circa 1900 hand-blown cordon glass has a raised glass band that defines the ideal Absinthe dose, which is approximately 2,5cl. This Absinthe glass is gorgeous to hold and is perfectly proportioned.

Reservoir and Pontarlier glasses – These rare reservoir glasses come in different sizes and shapes but are normally about six inches high. These have a clearly differentiated reservoir at the base for an Absinthe serving. The Pontarlier glass is a particularly desirable reservoir style that has a unique outwards swell to the reservoir.

Chope Yvonne glass – This glass is not solely for Absinthe, but also for beer. It is a tall and narrow glass that can either be plain or faceted. Some of these glasses have an etched line to mark the alcohol dose.

East glass – This is believed to have originated from the East of France. It is an unusually large Y-shaped glass that has three horizontal lines etched into the glass to mark the dose.

Egg and swirl glass – This Absinthe glass is also used for other drinks. It has a swirl design that acts as a reference for an Absinthe dose. Some egg glasses have an etched line marking the dose.

Interest in the controversial drink Absinthe has increased over the years and even more so when Ted Breaux, an environmental chemist from New Orleans, claimed to have exactly re-created the original recipe. He used a couple of hundred-year old bottles of authentic Pernod Absinthe to distill the recipe. He also utilized half a dozen odd botanicals, which includes Spanish green anise, absinthium and Alpine hyssop. This concoction resulted in Absinthe Edouard 72 (144 proof) and Jade Verte Suisse 65 (130 proof). Buy these Absinthes online for $90 per bottle.

You can now get a taste of this original recipe when you buy Absinthe online. You can order Absinthe through the Internet since there are a lot of international online stores that sell Absinthe. It is safe to buy Absinthe online from recognized vendors and distributors. However, you have to be aware that there are many pseudo Absinthe drinks in the market today. Just make sure that every period detail is correct. Like in the Absinthe created by Breaux, he chose Samur’s Combier distillery in France, with the very stills used by Pernod during the 1870s.

Switzerland is another place where there are fine Absinthes to be had. After all, Switzerland is the birthplace of the green fairy.

Absinthe is found in Europe and if you want to buy Absinthe online, you also have to consider the shipping costs. Keep in mind that shipping from Europe is really expensive.

Absinthe is probably the only drink that has managed to get such a fearsome reputation. It is believed that the drink has mind-bending potency and one of Absinthe’s alcohol effects is being hallucinogenic but no real evidence supports this claim.

In an experiment by Dr. Magnan, a study of 250 cases of alcoholism claimed that Absinthe drinkers were worse off compared to regular alcohol drinkers. And those who drank Absinthe experienced rapidly brought on hallucinations among other things. These purportedly Absinthe alcohol effects got a boost in the 1970s when a scientific publication mistakenly stated that thujone (the supposed active chemical in Absinthe) was related to Tetrahydrocannabinol and most probably had the same hallucinogenic properties based on its shape.

Absinthe Alcohol Effects

The most commonly reported Absinthe alcohol effect is a clear-headed feeling of inebriation, which is sometimes called secondary effect. This state of lucid drunkenness is believed to have been caused by thujone and other compounds. Ted Breaux, a chemist and Absinthe historian, said that these Absinthe alcohol effects might be caused by the fact that some of the compounds act as stimulants, others as sedatives, and collectively create a neutral effect. Other people believe that the placebo effect and individual reaction to the herbs make these secondary effects subjective and minor when likened to the psychoactive effects of alcohol.

According to the Journal of Studies on Alcohol, a high concentration of thujone in alcohol would have a negative effect on attention performance. One of Absinthe’s alcohol effects is a decrease in reaction time. The subjects seemed to focus their attention more in the central field of vision.

Nowadays, it is known that drinking Absinthe will not cause hallucinations. Although large doses of thujone can cause muscle spasms, there is no real evidence that hallucinations are one of Absinthe’s alcohol effects.