How To Use Absinthe ?
An Absinthe revival can be experienced due to the authorization of some 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.
Absinthe was created as a medicine by Dr Pierre Ordinaire in Couvet, Switzerland in the 18th century. Henri-Louis Pernod was distilling Absinthe and selling it 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.
Absinthe or La Fee Verte (Green Fairy) became more famous than wine in France. Absinthe bars became popular and the “Ritual” or traditional method of using and preparing Absinthe was born.
Absinthe contained psychoactive chemicals and cause hallucinations, convulsions, insanity and death due to which it was restricted in France. Everybody now knows that these claims were false. Absinthe is not responsible for such effects. During 1990s Absinthe was legalized in several countries.
How to Use Absinthe the Traditional Way
To prepare Absinthe in the traditional way is to use the “Ritual”.
These are necessary items :-
– A large glass or Absinthe glass of appropriate size.
– Absinthe
– An Absinthe spoon– replica glasses and spoons can be purchased online at AbsintheKit.A person can also prepare his own Absinthe with top-quality Absinthe essences. Top-quality Absinthe essences can be used to make own Absinthe.
– A sugar cube.
– A carafe of iced water.
A person has to pour a shot of Absinthe into the glass.
After resting the spoon on the rim of the glass put the sugar cube on it.
Gradually drip the iced water over the sugar to make it soluble.
The Absinthe louche appears when the water is mixed into the Absinthe. As the essential oils in the Absinthe do not mix in water so the mixture gets cloudy.
One can stir Absinthe to feel the taste of the Green Fairy.
Although Absinthe will not give hallucinations but one can easily get drunk on Absinthe. Herbs that are naturally sedative in nature and stimulants are used to make Absinthe. This blend of herbs can give a very different drunkenness than that caused by other spirits or wine or beer. Some 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. Add the iced water into the Absinthe after the caramelization and melting of sugar.
One can have fun while drinking Absinthe with the Bohemian method. It can also be slightly dangerous because the whole glass of Absinthe can catch fire, a bit of a waste of Absinthe! Care should be taken.
Away from the Ritual method one can also search on the Internet for using Absinthe in cocktail recipes.