When you serve absinthe people invariably ask questions. These are the questions that we get asked most frequently along with our best answers. If you don't find the answer you are looking for here please email us... If we don't know the answer we will find it for you. There is no such thing as a stupid question but there is such a thing as a fantastic question. Your fantastic questions will be posted here.
What is absinthe?
Absinthe is a spirit distilled from herbs that have been soaked in alcohol. The defining herb being Artemisia Absinthium or wormwood. Usually absinthe is made with Anise and fennel as well. In fact some experts go so far as to classify absinthe as an anise based drink with wormwood added.
Absinthe was first sold as a beverage by Pernod in 1805. Absinthe grew in popularity during the next hundred years. By 1890 absinthe was the most popular drink in France and we becoming popular throughout most of the western world. A combination of events occurred from about 1905 though 1915 which led the prohibition movement to target absinthe as a particularly problematic spirit. Absinthe was banned in most of Europe by 1915. Absinthe was banned in the US in 1912.
In 1998 Absinthe became legal to produce and sell in the European Union. The prohibition against absinthe sales in the US was lifted in 2007.
Is the absinthe in America "real"?
American absinthe is made using the same recipes, materials, and standards here as in Europe. In fact many of the absinthes available in the US are based on recipes from a hundred years ago.
Recently scientists have syringed out samples from several bottles of pre-ban absinthe. Chemical analysis of these samples has given us insight into levels of thujone, alcohol, and other chemical components of absinthe. According to analysis of these samples many of the current brands of absinthe are very similar to what was available a hundred years ago.
What makes absinthe different from other spirits?
Most spirits are distilled from a single ingredient like potatoes for vodka or cane sugar for rum. They are processed to a point where most flavors have been distilled out. Absinthe on the other hand starts with a plethora of ingredients chosen specifically for their flavors. The finished product is a blend of flavors - complex, layered, and fragrant.
Why does absinthe change color when I add water?
During the distillation process oils from the plants are held in suspension in the Alcohol. When water is added these oils form tiny bubble which give the impression of turning opaque.
What are the different kinds of Louche?
Here is a video that shows the louching process. Note that the drink starts out clear then turns a beautiful opalescent white.
Secondary effects?
Some people report a secondary effect when drinking absinthe. That is to say they report a sensation different from that of alcohol.
Paul Nathan, co-founder of absintheology.com has this to say: I find that when I drink alcohol I walk a tight rope. I get a good buzz going and then have to be very careful not to drink to much or I get sick from the alcohol or I sober up and end up with a walking hangover. When I drink absinthe the high is much more pronounced, much clearer, and comes on much earlier. So instead of walking that tightrope I walk a nice wide path.
Whatever it is that causes this effect, whether it is the thujone, something in the fennel or some placebo effect it is definitely pronounced and pleasant.
What is wormwood?
Artemisia Absinthium (Absinthium, Wormwood or Grand Wormwood) is a species of wormwood, which grows in temperate regions of Europe, Asia and northern Africa. Wormwood contains a chemical compound called thujone which is credited with being responsible for the secondary effects in absinthe.
What is thujone?
Thujone is a neurotoxin found in Wormwood. It is classified as a convulsant and seems to be responsible for the secondary effects caused associated with drinking absinthe. According to one UC Berkeley professor it works like this... Neurotransmitters in the brain carry thoughts and ideas from one place to another. The brain has another chemical called Beta Blockers which stop this process. Without these Beta Blockers the brain would short circuit. Thujone acts as a Beta Blocker inhibitor. The effects are subtle and seem to be cumulative. Drinking small moderate amounts of absinthe over several days seems to cause more of an effect than drinking large quantities all at once.
Are all absinthes the same?
No. Virtually every absinthe is distinctly different from every other. This is because recipes for absinthe vary drastically and can include any of hundreds of herbs. From spinach to star anise. Production methods also differ drastically. Most premium French absinthes are made by soaking herbs in alcohol for six weeks then distilling that down. Swiss style absinthes often use the baine - olefson technique which is kind of like a booze espresso. This method speeds up the process drastically.
How are absinthes different?
Flavor, Smell, Ingredients, production methods. Where the hers are grown, the type of alcohol used. Whether any flavorings were added and if so what kind and how much. The same goes for Coloring. Check out our review section to get an idea of what flavors can be discovered.
What are the different types of absinthe?
French, Suisse (Swiss), Bohemian (czech), absinthes are all more than just regional denominators they are actually styles of absinthe with distinct characteristics. French absinthe tends to be sweeter and has the soft green long associated with absinthe. Suisse style absinthe tends to have more anise and is usually clear. Both of these styles usually contain a fair amount of anise so they tend to have a pronounced louche. Bohemian absinthe usually has little or no anise flavor and often does not louche.
There are other differentiators. Superior absinthes are made by macerating herbs in a vat of alcohol then distilling this. Amer absinthes are usually more bitter and contain more wormwood and thus have a higher thujone content making them illegal here in the US. There are dry absinthes which have no anise in them and flavored absinthes like Black Cat which is coffee flavored. There are colored absinthes like Serpis which is red, and absinthe liquors which have a lower alcohol content and sugar added to them. The thing to note is that unlike vodka which is a spirit that is distilled down to the point where it has no discernable flavor absinthe is all about its distinct and varied flavors.
How is absinthe served?
Traditionally absinthe is served in a glass with water and sugar. The traditional method is to place an absinthe spoon (a slotted spoon) over the lip of the glass. Place a sugar cube on the spoon and pour about an ounce of absinthe over the sugar. Then slowly pour cold water over the absinthe soaked sugar cube until it melts into the liquid below. During this process you will be able to see the Louche appear in the glass.
Suisse style absinthes don't typically use sugar. Just pour water into the glass.
There are several more exciting rituals involving absinthe and fire. These all originated in the Czech Republic. The most common is to place a sugar cube on an absinthe spoon and pour absinthe over this into the glass then light the absinthe soaked sugar cube on fire. The absinthe soaked sugar cube burns until it caramelizes. The effect on the flavor is minimal but the effect on the people watching is magical.
Does absinthe make you crazy?
You're already crazy.
