As Absinthe has become a popular drink and with the legalization of a few brands of it one can 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.
Legend has it that Absinthe was created by Dr Pierre Ordinaire in Couvet, Switzerland in the 18th century as an elixir for his patients. Henri-Louis Pernod was distilling Absinthe and selling it commercially 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.
In France Absinthe became more famous than wine. As the Absinthe bars became famous the “Ritual” or traditional method of using and preparing Absinthe was born.
Due to it’s assumed harmful effects Absinthe was banned in France in 1915. All over the world these claims have proven themselves wrong on careful examination. One cannot suffer with such effects due to intake of 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”.
The requirement is:-
– A large glass or Absinthe glass.
– 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. Top-quality Absinthe essences can be used to make own Absinthe.
– A sugar cube is needed.
– Use a carafe of iced water.
One has to pour a shot of Absinthe into the glass.
The spoon should be kept motionless on the rim of the glass before putting the sugar cube on it.
Slowly drip, rather than pour, the iced water over the sugar to dissolve it.
One can see the Absinthe louche as the water mixes into the Absinthe. The essential oils in the Absinthe are insoluble in water which causes the mixture to louche.
A person can enjoy the taste of the Green Fairy after stirring his Absinthe.
There is no problem in drinking Absinthe. Absinthe is made out of a curious blend of herbs that are either naturally relaxing in nature or are stimulants. The drunkness experienced by this blend of herbs are away from other drinks. A few people describe 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. Once the sugar has caramelized and melted through the spoon and into the Absinthe, you add the iced water.
Drinking Absinthe becomes a little enjoyful with the Bohemian method. There can be chances of catching fire in the glass of Absinthe due to a waste of Absinthe! Be careful.
One can make his own or search online for cocktail recipes on how to use Absinthe besides using the Ritual method for Absinthe.