Absinthe: What is it?

Sometimes referred to as “the green fairy,” absinthe is one of those lesser-known spirits. Even if you find someone who has heard of it, this green drink always seems to be described with an air of mystery and danger. Bring up absinthe at a party and someone is bound to say something about hallucinations and madness.

But what is absinthe, really?

We’re here to demystify this delicious drink once and for all. Read on to learn all about absinthe, from its taste to its history. Plus, we’ll even throw in five cocktail recipes that will make you want to go purchase a bottle of the green fairy.

What is absinthe?

Before facing down absinthe’s taboo reputation, you need to know a little about it.

Absinthe is an anise-flavored liquor that originated in Switzerland. To make it, anise, fennel, and wormwood mixed with other herbs and flowers are soaked in a base alcohol. The liquor is then distilled, yielding a colorless alcohol. Next, it is either bottled or colored with the natural chlorophyll found in herbs – hence its green hue.

Absinthe has a high ABV (generally between 45-74 percent). So this aperitif is generally watered down or incorporated into cocktails to add an earthy and effervescent flavor.

How do I drink it?

Drinking absinthe straight is not advised. Note the high ABV – a 74 percent spirit may knock you down after a few sips. That is why, traditionally, absinthe is served with water and sugar. And it’s prepared using a special method called an absinthe drip.

The method is simple: place two sugar cubes on a slotted spoon balanced over a single serving of absinthe. Then slowly drip water onto the cubes until they disintegrate and drip into the glass of absinthe. There are special tools made specifically for this, however, it can be accomplished with a straw or dropper. Once the sugar is dissolved in the absinthe, it will turn a pale green, and it is ready to drink.

When prepared this way, absinthe tastes like sharp licorice and gives off an effervescent smell. In other words, it’s delicious. 

 

Why the bad reputation?

Okay, let’s address the rumors. It is true that absinthe has a muddled past and the stories surrounding this spirit have left it with a tainted reputation.

It picked up the label of “green fairy” in the late 19th-century Bohemian paradise that was Paris, France. But the stories of hallucinating artists and psychotic breaks are unreliable.

Fueled by these stories, the United States banned absinthe in 1915.

Those who were for the ban in the United States appealed to the science of the time. They argued that a compound released from the wormwood during fermentation, called thujone, causes mind-altering events. High doses of thujone are toxic (just like high amounts of alcohol). But very little thujone is left in absinthe at the end of the distillation process. It the 1970s, though, researchers in the U.S. began testing absinthe. And they found that it doesn’t contain enough thujone to be dangerous.

That’s why the ban in the United States was lifted in 2007. Now, American consumers can purchase many different varieties of absinthe. Since then, absinthe has enjoyed a resurgence. And mixologists have been taking the time to incorporate absinthe recipes into their repertoires.

Five Absinthe Cocktails

Now, it is your turn to try. Not sure how? Don’t worry, we have five absinthe cocktails that will get you started.

1. The Classic French Drip

This is the classic way to drink absinthe. This French-style method is the preferred way to experience traditional absinthe. It requires some special equipment and patience, but it is worth it. Don’t have a traditional French absinthe drip? You could always use your Prestige Haus decanter, if it has a leak-proof stainless steel spigot like this one.  

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ oz. absinthe
  • 2 oz. chilled water
  • 1 sugar cube

Directions

  1. Add absinthe into a glass. Rest a slotted spoon over the glass and place the sugar cube over the slots.
  2. Using an absinthe fountain, drip chilled water onto the sugar cube until it dissolves and drips into the glass.
  3. Let the water drip until the absinthe becomes milky white.
  4. Add ice to the glass, stir and serve.

 

2. Absinthe Cocktail

Another oldie but goodie, this classic absinthe cocktail is one passed down through time. It’s seen in bartending books published as early as 1887.

Ingredients

  • 1 oz. absinthe
  • 2 dashes anisette
  • 2 dashes aromatic bitters
  • 1 oz. ice-cold water

Directions

  1. Add absinthe, anisette, and bitters to a cocktail shaker.
  2. Pour ice-cold water into the shaker and shake vigorously.
  3. Pour into a coupe glass and serve.

 

3. The Necromancer

This playfully named cocktail accentuates all the best aspects of absinthe. The citrus harmonizes with the floral accents in the Lillet Blanc and elderflower liqueur. Together, they unlock the refreshing potential of the anise, fennel, and wormwood in the absinthe.

Ingredients

  • ¾ oz. white or blanche absinthe
  • ¾ oz. Lillet Blanc
  • ¾ oz. elderflower liqueur
  • ¾ oz. lemon juice
  • 1 dash gin

Directions

  1. Put the ingredients into a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice.
  2. Shake until the shaker is cold.
  3. Strain shaker contents into your custom-engraved Prestige Haus rocks glass. (Don’t have one? Get one here.) Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.

 

4. The Sun Also Rises

Yes, Nobel Prize winning author Ernest Hemingway danced with the green fairy as well. Hemingway preferred drinks with little to no sugar; he substituted fruit juices and Maraschino liqueur. The herbs in the absinthe complement the white rum in this cocktail. It’ll leave you feeling able to contemplate life’s mysteries like Hemingway himself.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. white rum
  • ¾ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
  • ½ oz. Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
  • 1 tsp. absinthe

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice.
  2. Shake until the shaker is cold.
  3. Strain into a coupe glass filled with crushed ice.

 

5. Arsenic & Old Lace

This old favorite takes its name from the Broadway play. It’s a martini-style cocktail with absinthe and crème de violette liqueur. The subtle floral flavors and violet hue of this cocktail are reminiscent of another era.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. gin
  • 1 oz. dry vermouth
  • 1/8 oz. absinthe
  • ½ oz. crème de violette liqueur
  • 2 dashes of orange bitters

 Directions

  1. Add absinthe to a martini glass, coating the glass with the liquor. (We suggest the Bond Stemless Martini Glass.)
  2. In a mixing glass, add the gin, vermouth, and crème de violette with ice.
  3. Stir contents until fully incorporated.
  4. Strain the contents of the glass into the coupe glass. Top with bitters, and garnish with a lemon twist.

 

What are you waiting for? Now that you know what absinthe is and how to incorporate it into your cocktail lineup, go out and purchase a bottle today.

The green fairy will thank you.

 

What is your favorite absinthe cocktail? Let us know in the comments below.