A great overview of all things related to the exotic cocktail spirit called Absinthe. This article includes Absinthe pictures, recipes, history and the legality of Absinthe in the United States. Learn about the legendary Green Fairy and the myth of this wonderful exotic cocktail.
Vincent Van Gogh is reported to have painted the Starry Night under the influence and it thought it played a part in him cutting off the tip of one of his ears.
Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec and Picasso all partook in a five o'clock ritual of sipping absinthe with a lump of sugar on a absinthe spoon.
usually 50% - 70% alcohol.
There are many more ingredients, but these are the basic three.
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| Wormwood - Artemisia absinthium |
ORIGIN: Switzerland
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| Absinthe |
HISTORY
Very few other cocktails have the mystery and lore that surrounds absinthe. Often referred to as the drink that would make one mad. Absinthe was also known for it's creative inducing states. Born in Switzerland, popular in France, banned in the USA and other countries. Absinthe has quite a history indeed. The older roots of absinthe go back to ancient Egypt around 1550 BC where it was mentioned in one of the oldest medical documents. Wormwood was mixed by the Greeks with wine to promote healing.
There are Absinthe Bars opening right now in America.
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| Absinthe Poster |
ABSINTHE EFFECTS:
Has been said by many to be a aphrodisiac and hallucinogen.
Artist have used it for ages to try and enhance creativity.
PROCEDURE:
How to prepare absinthe for drinking.
The Absinthe Ritual ONE.
1. Fill the bottom part of the glass with absinthe.
2. Place the absinthe spoon on the glass, then place the sugar cube on the spoon.
3. Iced water is then dripped slowly over the sugar and spoon.
4. This process lets out the essential oils to louche out turning the absinthe a opaque greenish color.
The Absinthe Ritual TWO "Flaming."
This method is know as the CZECH METHOD.
1. Fill the bottom of a glass with absinthe.
2. Take a spoon full of sugar and dip it gently
into the absinthe to moisten the sugar.
3. Light the spoon full of sugar and let it burn until
it starts to go out.
4. Then place spoon into the absinthe and swirl.
5. Add water and ice then enjoy.
ABSINTHE SPOONS
Sometimes the sugar is shaped into neat designs.
RECIPES
1. CLASSIC
This is just the basic ritual of sugar, ice, and water.
2. GREEN FAIRY (classic)
This is a old recipe used in Europe.
• 3 oz Absinthe
• 3 oz Water
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 2 tsp of white of egg.
Shake all ingredients together.
3. ABSINTHE BULL RECIPE(modern)
Modern recipe for the younger crowd.
Gives you wings, green fairy wings.
• 4 oz Absinthe
• 1 Can of Red Bull
Pour over ice in a clear glass.
4. DEATH IN THE AFTERNOON RECIPE
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway
• 4 oz Absinthe
• Sugar soaked in Angostura bitters
• Sparkling Wine, fill rest of way up.
5. SULSSESSE
• 2 oz Absinthe
• 1/2 oz Anisette
• 1/2 oz White Creme De Menthe
• 1 egg white
6. Absinthe Margarita
• 2 oz Absinthe
• 1 oz Triple Sec
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 1/2 oz Tequilla
6. Absinthe Minded
• 1 oz Absinthe
• 1 oz Velvet Falernum
• 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 4 oz lime gin
Lime zest is optional.
6. HEAD SHOCK, SHOT
• 2 oz Absinthe
• 1 oz Light Tequila
Mix into s shot glass.
ABSINTHE LEGAL and LAW
Q. Is Absinthe Legal in the USA?
A. YES and NO.
Yes they are selling it in the stores here in the USA, but it's not the REAL stuff. Buy real stuff i mean the traditional 100mg of thujone, the active ingredient from the herb wormwood. The stuff on the shelfs here is 10mg or less.
The FDA bans the use of wormwood related products, but it has a lot of grey area. What makers are doing is either
filtering out the thujone or reducing it's level to meet FDA regulations. It is not illegal to own, only to sell.
Q. Is Absinthe Legal to own in the USA?
A. YES
Yes, you can legally own absinthe in the USA, you just cannot sell it.
Absinthe Substitutes
When Absinthe became illegal in some countries companies
started making taste alike substitutes. Some of these brands
are listed below.
• Absente (Uses a southern legal wormwood)
• Herbsaint
• Pastis
SUPPLIES (coming) new update
BEST ABSINTHE On the MARKET TODAY:
One of the few brands containing the original high level of thujone is the King of Spirits Gold which contains 100 mg of thujone. King of Spirits Gold Absinthe is made in the Czech republic where there are no restrictions on thujone levels.
ABSINTHE BARS in the USA:
WEST COAST
• ABSINTHE Brasserie and Bar.
398 Hayes Street at Gough,
San Francisco, CA
94102
PH. 415-551-1590
Fine Dining.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR ABSINTHE VIDEOS!!!!
IMAGE GALLERY
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| Vintage Absinthe Drinker Photo |
MAKE YOUR OWN ABSINTHE AT HOME.
