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.
Absinthe was created as a medicine by Dr Pierre Ordinaire in Couvet, Switzerland in the 18th century. By the turn of the 19th century Henri-Louis Pernod was distilling Absinthe and selling it commercially. Pernod used wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), fennel, aniseed, star anise, hyssop, lemon balm, angelica, juniper, dittany, nutmeg and melissa as well as a wine alcohol base distilled with different types of natural herbs.
In France the popularity of Absinthe is more than wine. Absinthe bars became popular and the “Ritual” or traditional method of using and preparing Absinthe was born.
Due to it’s assumed harmful effects Absinthe was banned in France in 1915. These claims were unreal and now every one knows that. Absinthe cannot and does not give rise to such effects. Absinthe was given right in many countries during 1990s.
How to Use Absinthe the Traditional Way
To prepare Absinthe in the traditional way is to use the “Ritual”.
These are necessary items :-
– A large glass or Absinthe glass.
– 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. To prepare own Absinthe a person will require top-quality Absinthe essences.
– Get a sugar cube.
– Sufficient amount of carafe of iced water.
Pour a shot of Absinthe into the glass.
After resting the spoon on the rim of the glass put the sugar cube on it.
Slowly drip the iced water over the sugar to dissolve it.
As soon as the water mixes into the Absinthe,the Absinthe louche is seen. Because of insolubility of the essential oils in the water the mixture gets cloudy.
After stirring the Absinthe an individual can experience the taste of the Green Fairy.
Remember that although Absinthe will not give you hallucinations, it is a strong drink and it is very easy to get drunk on Absinthe. Herbs that are naturally sedative in nature and stimulants are used to make Absinthe. This blend of herbs can give a very different drunkenness effect than the others. Some call 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. Once the sugar has caramelized and melted through the spoon and into the Absinthe, you add the iced water.
There is a bit of enjoyment with the Bohemian method of drinking Absinthe. It can be dangerous as the Absinthe glass can burn also! It is necessary to take care.
The Ritual is the very famous way of using Absinthe however it can also be used in cocktails.