By then, absinthe had already been banned in the United States and other countries for several decades. It wasn’t until the 1970s, after the rise of psychedelic drugs, that scientists finally started to seriously study thujone and its effects. This led to absinthe often being called the Green Muse or Green Fairy. It made their minds wander, which they equated with expanding their consciousness and inspiring creativity. The green aperitif became legendary in late 19th-century Paris thanks to bohemian artists and writers who reported psychedelic, mind-altering effects. This removes some of the alcoholic content, as well as things like eyebrows and fringes (note – not a recommended grooming method).ĭid you know? Thujone is not exclusive to absinthe there is actually thujone present in many herbs, including sage.Where did the whole hallucination thing come from? The sugar cube is then lit, and the cube is dropped into the drink and allowed to burn out. The Bohemian Method (We recommend you do not attempt this – it’s rather dangerous!) involves using a traditional heatproof absinthe glass, absinthe is poured into the glass, the slotted spoon is placed on top of the glass and an absinthe-soaked sugar cube is placed on the spoon. Note, it will become cloudy thanks to the Louche Effect. The spoon is then used to stir the drink. Using a slow drip fountain, water is gradually dripped onto the sugar cube, and into the glass, until the cube is dissolved. Then the slotted spoon is placed atop the glass with a sugar cube on it. The French Method of drinking absinthe involves the traditional slotted absinthe spoon. Whilst much of the controversy surrounding absinthe is factually inaccurate, we would recommend that, due to its high alcoholic strength, it be drunk diluted and in moderation. Vincent Van Gogh was famously said to be intoxicated with absinthe when cutting his own ear off and the drink was famously enjoyed by such eminent figures as Toulouse Lautrec, and even Oscar Wilde. All sorts of woes and social immoralities were blamed on it. Studies have also shown that there are only minute quantities of it in absinthe.Ībsinthe was paraded as the poster boy for the temperance movement (a shunning of alcoholic drinks). This is untrue, and thujone is allowed in certain foodstuffs in the EU. It was also, incorrectly, purported to be a cannabinoid (a narcotic compound present in a drug with a similar sounding name). The blame is usually centred on the chemical thujone which, if present, is only found in very small quantities. Bohemian Absinthe, often known as Czech-style absinthe, is made with very little or no anise or fennel, relying on wormwood for its flavour – it also has a very high alcoholic content.Ībsinthe has been portrayed as a dangerous intoxicant-even a narcotic-though its infamy has also been a blessing in disguise since the drink has gained an almost mythical reputation – with all sorts of suggestions of hallucinogenic effects and visions of green fairies and the like. Verte absinthe is coloured with a mixture of herbs post distillation, and Verte absinthes are similar to the Spanish Absenta – which differs in slightly in flavour (the addition of Alicante anise brings added sweetness). Other flavourings include star anise, angelica, coriander and nutmeg.Ībsinthe comes in various styles, including Blanche (also known as la bleue) which is bottled immediately after distillation and is clear in colour. The three main ingredients, sometimes known as the “Holy Trinity”, are Florence fennel, Green Anise and Grande Wormwood. Traditional variants are made with white grape spirit, though absinthes are often made using alcohol distilled from grains and potatoes of beets. La Fée Verte (The Green Fairy), as it is known, is distilled from the herb Grande Wormwood an ingredient used in many herbal drinks, including Bitters.Ībsinthe is usually bottled at very high strength and it is made with neutral alcohol and various herbs. Absinthe is the drink that needs little introduction, its reputation precedes it more than that of any other spirit in the world.
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