July 2012
Absinthe Liquor
To a layman the word green conjures up images of green meadows, gushing streams of crystal clear water, clean unpolluted air and dense forests. But for the true connoisseurs of fine liquor the word green connotes a different meaning. Connoisseurs of liquor associate the word green to the legendary alcoholic beverage absinthe. Absinthe liquor was the most popular drink of nineteenth century Europe. It was also affectionately called as the Green fairy by loyal devotees.
The French took to this liquor and soon it rivaled wine in popularity. Even today people display an extraordinary affection to this anise-flavored drink. The aura that absinthe liquor has, apart from the flavor, is due to the history and the elaborate ceremonial ritual that has to be followed while drinking it. Absinthe has a bitter taste which can be attributed to its basic ingredients such as wormwood, fennel, and anise. Absinthe liquor has high alcohol content usually in the range of 60% to 70%. Such high proof is necessary to maintain the natural green color of the drink.
Absinthe is not your everyday drink like whisky. it is a drink with illustrious history and culture behind it. Absinthe had become so popular in France and Europe that wine makers were worried about their business prospects. This intense rivalry led wine makers to spread rumors and stories about the harmful effects of absinthe. Some of the unsubstantiated claims made at that time resulted in most countries banning absinthe.
However, by the beginning of the twenty-first century most countries in the European Union began lifting the unfair ban on absinthe. Today, absinthe is no longer prohibited in Europe and the day is not far when it will reclaim its rightful place as the best and finest liquor of all times. The pleasant effects of absinthe can be attributed to its ingredients. Wormwood is the main herb used in the making of absinthe. Wormwood contains a chemical called thujone which is a brain stimulant. The permissible level of thujone in absinthe in the US is 10 mg and 35 mg in Europe.
Absinthe has high alcohol content and it must not be taken in excess; three glasses of absinthe is sufficient to feel the absinthe effect. The effect is pleasant and you feel slightly inebriated but there is a sense of clarity that your mind experiences. The colors around you seem brighter than they usually do, you can see, smell, and taste better. Your sense of perception is enhanced and even everyday chores seem to give you a new experience. This property of absinthe was responsible for its immense popularity with artists. Many a great painters like Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso were avid consumers of absinthe and attributed their creative genius to its marvelous effects.
Thankfully, most Europeans have access to absinthe. US citizens can now buy absinthe online from non-US producers. US citizens can also order genuine absinthe kits and prepare their own absinthe liquor by following the simple instructions that come along with the kit. For more information on absinthe kits and other absinthe products visit absinthekit.com.
Absinthe Kit
Absinthe is an alcoholic beverage which is also called as the Green Fairy; it is made from herbs and has an anise flavor. It was the most popular drink in Europe in the nineteenth century. Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemmingway, and Oscar Wilde were amongst the many legends that were great fans of absinthe. They attributed their creative genius to absinthe and considered it to be an inspiring drink; however, in the beginning of the twentieth century absinthe was banned in most European countries. Absinthe has made a stunning comeback in the 21st century after most European countries lifted the wrongly imposed ban. In the United States, the production and sale of absinthe is illegal; however, consumption and possession of absinthe is not a crime. US citizens can buy absinthe from non-US producers. The best alternative available for US lovers of absinthe is the absinthe kit.
A professional absinthe kit enables you to make your own 1 liter of absinthe with a thujone content of 50mg/liter or higher. The absinthe prepared from such kits tastes just like the original drink made in the 19th and early 20th century. Only vodka or any other neutral spirit has to be added.
The absinthe kit contains thujone containing herbs and spices. The kit also has detailed recipes of absinthe cocktails and a postcard size sticker that you can affix on your absinthe bottle. A special perforated absinthe spoon is also a part of the kit. The spoon is an integral part of the absinthe ritual; detailed descriptions of the absinthe ritual are also included in the absinthe kit. The kit has instructions on how to make your own absinthe with a high thujone level. The herbs come in neatly packed plastic bags with labels for easy identification. With the kit you can make your own absinthe and serve your friends. Enjoying an evening with the Green Fairy in the company of friends is an experience you will cherish forever.
The effects of absinthe are pleasant. Absinthe gives the drinker a clear headed inebriation. How this effect is caused is still not known. Absinthe contains thujone which is mildly psychoactive. The molecular structure of thujone is similar to THC which is an active substance found in cannabis. Absinthe has high alcohol content (50%-70%) and it is recommended to drink it in moderation.
There are many online stores that sell absinthe kits. However, it is advisable that you be sure before you order one as some of the sites peddle pseudo absinthe which may do more harm than good. One place where you can get genuine absinthe kit, absinthe, and other absinthe accessories like spoons, glasses, labels, etc is absinthekit.com
Absinthe for Sale
Thanks to lifting of the ban on absinthe in the European Union, it is now common to see ‘Absinthe for Sale’ banners in liquor stores across Europe. The ban still exists in the United States; however, the possession and consumption of absinthe is not illegal. US citizens can purchase absinthe from non-US producers online. Most reputed liquor stores have websites and anyone can shop for genuine absinthe or absinthe accessories such as spoons, essence, absinthe glasses, labels, and other absinthe merchandise by going online.
There are many online liquor stores that sell a wide variety of Czech absinthes. Czech absinthe should be credited for playing a major role in the revival of absinthe. A word of caution there are many online stores that sell pseudo absinthe, be wary of them. One place where you can find a lot of information on absinthe is absinthekit.com here you can buy the best quality absinthe with thujone, absinthe glasses, spoons, absinthe labels, and absinthe essence at reasonable prices. Chances are you might get the best possible deal at absinthekit.com
Absinthe can be the perfect gift you can give to someone who has heard a great deal about it but never tasted it. Once you introduce your friends to the green fairy in the absinthe bottle their respect for you will go up by a few notches. Serving absinthe at a party will guarantee you and your friends a real good time and chances are you might even earn yourself the title ‘King of Good Times’.
No liquor is as legendary as absinthe. Absinthe was the favorite drink of legends such as Vincent Van Gogh, Hemmingway, Oscar Wilde, and many others. Absinthe is made from the herb wormwood. It is now scientifically proved that wormwood does not contain any poisonous substance that can impair the brain. Wormwood contains thujone that is responsible for the pleasant effects of absinthe. In Europe, it is perfectly legal to buy and drink absinthe.
Absinthe kits are gaining popularity; however, be careful when ordering one online as they may not be genuine. One way you can prepare your own absinthe flavored drink is by mixing 20 ml of absinthe essence in 730 ml of vodka or any other neutral spirit to prepare 750 ml of absinthe drink. Absinthekit.com is one website where you can order genuine absinthe essence and other absinthe products. In European countries absinthe can be sold if the thujone content is 35 mg or lower. Absinthe is legal in Canada and is sold in many liquor stores.
The thujone content of all commercially available absinthes is low and does not cause any harm, so if you are visiting Europe and see ‘Absinthe for Sale’ board outside a liquor store go ahead and buy it. For those who are not so fortunate all is not lost, visit absinthekit.com and order your favorite genuine absinthe.
Absinthe Effects
The effects of absinthe or the perceived effects of absinthe were responsible for the massive popularity absinthe enjoyed in Europe in the nineteenth century. The effects of absinthe also added to the drink’s aura and mystery. The public discourse of the effects was so exaggerated that absinthe was ultimately banned from Europe and US for most part of the twentieth century.
However, absinthe has made a successful comeback in Europe with most countries lifting the ban on absinthe after new studies showed that it does not contain high amounts of harmful chemicals that can potentially impair the brain activity. In 19th century Europe, absinthe was virtually worshipped for its mind opening characteristics. Absinthe has had a very long romantic connection to the art world. It was not unusual to find great writers and painters drinking absinthe in cafes and having animated discussions on various issues.
Absinthe has something that no other alcoholic beverage has; it gives the drinker a clear headed form of inebriation. This is surprising given the fact that it contains a very high percentage of alcohol, usually in the range of 50% to 70%. People expect to feel drunk given the high alcohol content, but instead they have a bizarre clarity of thought. It is this property of absinthe that prompted the famous French poet Arthur Rimbaud to comment “the darkest forest melts into an open meadow” after a glass of the green fairy. Many have claimed that absinthe illuminates the mind and unlocks creative powers.
Part of the fun is in the elaborate ritual you have to follow to prepare an absinthe drink. The most amazing effect is that although you feel drunk and your body gets slightly impaired as it happens with any other alcoholic drink your mind remains sharp and clear. You are able to feel, taste, listen, and smell better than before and surprisingly colors seem brighter than normal.
Absinthe is made of herbs and wormwood is one of the main herbs used in its making. Thujone, a substance that is naturally present in absinthe is responsible for the effects of absinthe. How thujone produces such effects remains a mystery. What thujone does is that it removes the blocks in the mind and senses thus allowing the mind and the senses to work at full capacity. Our subconscious and conscious awareness begin to work together thus improving our creative, perceptive, and cognitive abilities.
Modern science agrees that thujone and other ingredients in absinthe improve the cognitive functions of the brain. However, it is important to know that the effects don’t last long and since absinthe has high alcohol content it is recommended that it be drunk in moderation. Absinth should never be drunk neat. To experience the pleasing absinthe effects it should be sipped slowly.
Drinking, possessing, and manufacturing absinthe is now legal in the European Union. However, production and sale of absinthe in the United States is still not allowed but drinking and possession of absinthe is not a crime. US citizens can buy absinthe online from non-US producers.
Absinthe drink
Absinthe has made a dramatic comeback in the 21st century after being banned for almost a century in most of the European Union and North America. Absinthe is an alcoholic beverage that is primarily made of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) and other herbs. Absinthe is also known as the green fairy was first formulated in Switzerland by a French doctor Dr. Pierre Ordinaire in the 19th century as a digestive tonic.
In the nineteenth century, absinthe was the most popular drink in France. It was supposed to act as a creative stimulant and was patronized by great writers and painters such as Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Allan Poe, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde. The beginning of the twentieth century saw absinthe being banned in most European countries and the United States. Herbs such as green anise, wormwood, and Florence fennel are the main ingredients. Many other herbs such as Melissa, hyssop, angelica root, sweet flag, dittany leaves, star anise, veronica and other mountain herbs are also used in making absinthe.
The finest absinthe is made using natural herbs and does not contain any artificial colors or flavors. The herbs are ground and absinthe is extracted by the distillation process. The pale green color of typical absinthe is due to the chlorophyll present in the herbs. The herb wormwood contains a very mild neurotoxin called thujone. The thujone content may differ in different brands of absinthe. In some brands of absinthe, the quantity of thujone is negligible while in others it may be as high as 35mg/kg. International standards require alcoholic beverages to contain no more than 10mg/kg of thujone. Bitter spirits can contain up to 35mg/kg of thujone.
A good quality absinthe drink will show louche effect when water is added to it. Good quality absinthe will show gradual turbidity or opaqueness as ice cold water is added to it. The louche effect is the result of precipitation of essential oils present in the herbs. Absinthe has high alcohol content and it is never taken neat. It is to be diluted with ice cold water and sipped slowly.
There are traditional and non-traditional ways to prepare the absinthe drink. The traditional method is called as the absinthe ritual. In the French absinthe ritual an ounce of absinthe is poured in a glass and a special absinthe spoon is kept on the glass. The absinthe spoon is flat and perforated, a sugar cube is place on the spoon and then ice cold water is dripped over the sugar cube, as the cube of sugar dissolves in the water it falls in the glass through the perforations in the spoon. Once the sugar cube is completely dissolved, ice cold water is added in the glass, the drink stirred with the spoon and then sipped slowly.
The Czech ritual is more fun and interesting. Absinthe is poured in a glass, and then a sugar cube is place on the absinthe spoon. The spoon along with sugar cube is then dipped in the glass so that the sugar cube absorbs absinthe. The spoon is then kept flat over the glass and the sugar cube lighted. As the sugar caramelizes and melts, it falls in the glass through the perforations in the spoon. Ice cold water is then added to the absinthe, stirred with the spoon and the absinthe drink is ready.
You can also buy absinthe essence online and prepare your own absinthe drink. Take 20 ml of absinthe essence and add it to 730 ml of vodka to prepare 750 ml of great tasting drink. One place where you can find the best deals and high quality absinthe essence is absinthekit.com