We are experiencing an Absinthe revival with the legalization of a few brands of Absinthe in 2007 in the United States. Yet, some people don’t really know how to use Absinthe correctly or even what absinthe is.
What is Absinthe
Absinthe is not a hallucinogen or a drug. It is a strong alcoholic beverage with an alcohol by volume of up to 75% and an anise flavor.
Dr Pierre Ordinaire in Couvet, Switzerland in the 18th century prepared Absinthe as an elixir for his patients. Absinthe was distilled and sold by Henri-Louis Pernod commercially by the turn of the 19th century. A wine alcohol base distilled with different types of natural herbs including wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), fennel, aniseed, star anise, hyssop, lemon balm, angelica, juniper, dittany, nutmeg and melissa was used by Pernod.
Absinthe, or La Fee Verte (Green Fairy)as it became known in France, became such a popular drink that it even became more popular than wine in France. Absinthe bars became popular and the “Ritual” or traditional method of using and preparing Absinthe was born.
Absinthe was banned in France in 1915 after it was claimed that Absinthe contained psychoactive chemicals and cause hallucinations, convulsions, insanity and death. It is now known that these claims were false. One cannot suffer with such effects due to intake of Absinthe. Absinthe was legalized in many countries in the 1990s.
How to Use Absinthe the Traditional Way
To prepare Absinthe in the traditional way is to use the “Ritual”.
Following things are needed :-
- A large glass or Absinthe glass is needed.
- Absinthe
- An Absinthe spoon – replica glasses and spoons can be purchased online at AbsintheKit.com along with top-quality Absinthe essences to make your own Absinthe. Top-quality Absinthe essences is essential for making one’s own Absinthe.
- One has to use a sugar cube.
- A carafe of iced water.
Take a amount of Absinthe into the glass.
Place the spoon on the rim of the glass and supply the sugar cube on the spoon.
Slowly drip the iced water over the sugar to dissolve it.
Watch the Absinthe louche as the water mixes into the Absinthe. The essential oils in the Absinthe are insoluble in water which causes the mixture to louche.
The taste of the Green Fairy can be enjoyed by the stirring the Absinthe.
Remember that although Absinthe will not give you hallucinations, it is a strong drink and it is very easy to get drunk on Absinthe. The herbs used in the preparation of Absinthe are sedative in nature and stimulants. Other spirits, wine or beer can not give the same drunkness as caused by this blend of herbs. A few people describe it as a “clear headed” drunkenness.
The Czech or Bohemian Method
With this method, once you have poured the shot of Absinthe into the glass you dip the sugar cube into the alcohol and then set it alight on the spoon with a match. Add the iced water into the Absinthe after the caramelization and melting of sugar.
One can have fun while drinking Absinthe with the Bohemian method. It can be dangerous as the Absinthe glass can burn also! Take care.
The Ritual is the very famous way of using Absinthe however it can also be used in cocktails.
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