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In the simplest of definitions, “absinthe” describes a potent alcoholic spirit, often distilled between 45-74% ABV (90-148 proof), that is flavored with anise and artemisia absinthium, better known as “grand wormwood” or just “wormwood.” When we say “anise,” we’re specifically talking about green anise, also known as aniseed, rather than the spice known as star anise, although it may additionally be used. Absinthe has had a tough existence, including bans in many countries that lasted almost a century, but today the green-tinted spirit is again growing and thriving as part of the modern microdistillery and mixology scene.īut what is absinthe, exactly? How is it made? Where and why was it banned? How is it consumed? And how has it persistently maintained such an exotic reputation? Read on, and find out how absinthe has returned stronger than ever. There are few spirits with more mythological power in their names than “absinthe.” Revered, demonized, feared and consistently misunderstood, it’s actually a fairly broad category of liquor-one with a pop-cultural depiction that has often cast absinthe in a sickly green light, as a ruiner of homes or gateway to psychedelic hallucinations.
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#Absynth brands series#
Check out every entry in the series to date. Varieties of absinthe can be found in most liquor stores, however due to government regulated markets, most will not contain thujone.Cocktail Queries is a Paste series that examines and answers basic, common questions that drinkers may have about mixed drinks, cocktails and spirits. Nowadays absinthe is also being used as a component ingredient in many mixed drink recipes. See our page regarding the Absinthe Ritual. It is produced in the Czech republic where there are no restrictions.
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The only brand having the original level of thujone is the King of Spirits Gold at 100 mg. However, don't get too excited, as most brands of absinthe on the market only have 10 mg of thujone due to regulations on thujone levels in the EU and other countries. Also, the absinthe must be ingested quickly or only the alcohol will be felt. At higher intakes thujone can induce hallucinations, but not for everyone. In other words, the liberating effects of the alcohol are felt while the mind remains coherent. People usually report a sense of drunken clarity when drinking absinthe.
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It was also believed to be a creativity stimulator, and many artists and writers of the period were loyal absinthe drinkers. Wormwood is the herb that produces the psychoactive constituent thujone, which produces the "absinthe effects".īack in the Belle Epoch period, absinthe was believed to act as an aphrodisiac and hallucinogen. It has a distinctive bitter taste caused by the wormwood used in the formulation. Absinthe derives its name from the Greek word apsinthion, which ironically means "undrinkable". Oridinaire as a medical tonic, and was not until after his death that it was first commercially distilled by Henry Louis Pernod. Absinthe gets its nickname from its light green color and its humble beginnings as a miraculous cure-all. Absinthe, affectionately known as the Green Fairy (La Fee Verte), is a high alcohol volume (usually 50-70%) licorice flavored herbal liqueur.