The legalization of a few brands of Absinthe in 2007 in the United States makes the people to experience an Absinthe revival. 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.
According to the legend Absinthe was created by Dr Pierre Ordinaire in Couvet, Switzerland in the 18th century as a tonic for his patients. Absinthe was distilled and sold by Henri-Louis Pernod commercially by the turn of the 19th century. Pernod used wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), fennel, aniseed, star anise, hyssop, lemon balm, angelica, juniper, dittany, nutmeg and melissa as well as a wine alcohol base distilled with different types of natural herbs.
The popularity of wine decreased in France in comparison to Absinthe. Absinthe bars became popular and gave rise to the “Ritual” or traditional procedure of using and 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. It is now known that there is no truth in these claims. These effects are not caused by Absinthe. 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”.
You will need:-
– One must have the Absinthe glass or a large glass.
– Absinthe
– An Absinthe spoon– replica glasses and spoons can be purchased online at AbsintheKit.AbsintheKit.com makes a person available with top-quality Absinthe essences which he can use to prepare his own Absinthe. Get top-quality Absinthe essences to make your own Absinthe.
– Get a sugar cube.
– Chilled carafe iced water.
Take a amount of Absinthe into the glass.
One has to rest the spoon on the rim of the glass and then put the sugar cube on it.
Gradually drip the iced water over the sugar to make it soluble.
As the water mixes into the Absinthe a louche is visible. The mixture louches due to the insolubility of the essential oils in water.
Stir your Absinthe and enjoy the taste of the Green Fairy.
However Absinthe will not give hallucinations but it is a strong drink and can be consumed easily. The herbs used in the preparation of Absinthe are sedative in nature and stimulants. This blend of herbs can give a very different drunkenness effect than the others. It is also described 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. Once the sugar has caramelized and melted through the spoon and into the Absinthe, you add the iced water.
One can have fun while drinking Absinthe with the Bohemian method. There are some risks as the fire can catch the whole Absinthe glass! Care should be taken.
Though the Ritual is the most popular way of using Absinthe but it can also be used in cocktails.