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.

In the 18th century Absinthe was made as a medicine by Dr Pierre Ordinaire of Switzerland for his patients. Henri-Louis Pernod did the distilling and selling of Absinthe by the turn of the 19th century. Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), fennel, hyssop, lemon balm, angelica,aniseed, star anise,  juniper, dittany, nutmeg and melissa were also used along with a wine alcohol base distilled with different types of natural herbs by Pernod.

People of France prefer Absinthe to wine. Absinthe bars use the “Ritual” method for preparing Absinthe.

Absinthe was banned in France in 1915 after it was claimed that Absinthe contained psychoactive chemicals and cause hallucinations, convulsions, insanity and death. These claims were unreal and now every one knows that. Absinthe cannot and does not give rise to such effects. Absinthe was legalized in many countries in the 1990s.

How to Use Absinthe the Traditional Way

To prepare Absinthe in the traditional way is to use the “Ritual”.
The requirement is:-
- A large glass or Absinthe glass is needed.
- Absinthe
- An Absinthe spoon– replica glasses and spoons can be purchased online at AbsintheKit.One can visit the site AbsintheKit.com to make his own Absinthe. Get top-quality Absinthe essences to make your own Absinthe.
- One has to use a sugar cube.
- Use a 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.
One has to drop slowly the iced water over the sugar to dissolve it.
The Absinthe louche appears when the water is mixed into the Absinthe. The mixture louches due to the insolubility of the essential oils in water.
A person can enjoy the taste of the Green Fairy after stirring his Absinthe.

Although Absinthe will not give hallucinations but one can easily get drunk on Absinthe. Absinthe is made from naturally sedative and stimulants herbs. Other spirits, wine or beer can not give the same drunkness as caused by this blend of herbs. 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. After the caramelization and melting of sugar the iced water van be added into the Absinthe.

One can have fun while drinking Absinthe with the Bohemian method. There are some risks as the fire can catch the whole Absinthe glass! It is necessary to take care.

The Ritual is the very famous way of using Absinthe however it can also be used in cocktails.

 

 

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