Absinthe Green Fairyis an alcoholic drink with an interesting history. Developed as an elixir or tonic in the 18th century it is now one of the most controversial and famous drinks of all time.

Absinthe is an anise flavored spirit which is incredibly strong, between 45 and 75% Alcohol by volume. The “Green Fairy” is so called because it is emerald green in color. It is a distilled liquor made from herbs. Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), green aniseed and fennel (fennell) are the main herbs. Henri-Louis Pernod produce his famous original Pernod Absinthe recipe by utilizing herbs like hyssop, lemon balm, nutmeg, juniper, veronica, star anise and dittany. A few producers also used the herb calamus which was believed to be psychoactive along with wormwood and nutmeg. When the chilled water is poured over the sugar on the Absinthe spoon the essential oil extract from the herbs causes Absinthe to louche. The reason of Absinthe to cloud or louche is the insolubility of oils in water.

Absinthe Green Fairy and the Art World

Absinthe is famous for inspiring many artists and writers associated with the Bohemian culture of the Montmartre area of Paris. Famous Absinthe drinkers include Vincent Van Gough, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Charles Baudelaire, Edgar Degas, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde. Many writers and artists were convinced that Absinthe gave them inspiration and gave them their genius. Painters like Van Gogh and Picasso gave emphasis on Absinthe and Absinthe drinkers in their paintings.

Absinthe's association with old Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge and the Bohemian sect, was simply the explanation that prohibition campaigners required. Absinthe was linked with the murder of a family and the growing problem of alcohol addiction in France so the campaigners raised their hands against the legalization of Absinthe in France. It was restricted in most of the countries.

The chemical thujone, present in wormwood was thought to be the reason behind the psychedelic effects. Thujone and THC in cannabis were believed to be the same. Absinthe only contains minute quantities of thujone. A person can have the risk from the alcohol content in Absinthe and not from the thujone. A number of studies and articles have been written on the subject. One should remember it's strongness and drink it with care and in balance amount.

During the time of prohibition many people enjoyed buying and drinking vintage style Absinthe in Absinthe bars in the Czech Republic, served in the classic Absinthe large glassesand in surroundings decorated with vintage Absinthe posters. Absinthe is legal in various nations with thujone levels controlled by the EU and the United States only allows marketing of Absinthe with trace quantity of thujone.

Internet is the best way of getting Absinthe by the bottle or for ordering Absinthe essences.com) to make your own Absinthe Green Fairy to bottle at home. The vital ingredient wormwood is the content of real Absinthe and Absinthe essences but some new Absinthes do not contain thujone.

Absinthe Green Fairy can also be used in cocktails – mix with champagne for a truly decadent drink!

 

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