Absinthe Alcohol

Absinthe alcohol content is very interesting when compared to the alcoholic content of liquor such as whisky, gin and vodka. Although alcohol content varies by brand, it contains nearly twice as much alcohol as whisky, gin and vodka.

Absinthe is a very interesting distilled alcoholic drink which originated in Switzerland but was made famous in France by its association with Bohemian Paris and artists and writers such as Van Gogh, Verlaine, Pablo Picasso, Oscar Wilde, Charles Baudelaire and Ernest Hemingway. Absinthe was nicknamed “The Green Fairy” or La Fee Verte, in French, because of its green color. Blanche Absinthe, or La Bleue, is a clear Absinthe.

Absinthe is a spirit, not a liqueur and has the flavor of anise, like Pernod Pastis which was produced to take its place when Absinthe sales were banned in the early 19th century by the USA and many European countries. Its flavor comes from its herbal ingredients which include the herb, grand wormwood, (Artemesia Absinthium), anise and fennel. Some brands of Absinthe also contain licorice, hyssop, angelica root and other herbs.

The active chemical, thujone, which comes from the herb wormwood, was thought to have psychedelic effects on the brain like the drug cannabis, due to thujone’s similarity to THC which is present in cannabis. Many studies have now shown that this is a myth and that Absinthe is no more dangerous than any other strong liquor. Absinthe was reviewed for safety in the 1990s and was legalized for purchase in most European countries. Many countries now produce Absinthe including the Czech Republic, Spain, France and Switzerland and there are many different brands on sale. You can order and buy Absinthe from various companies including AbsintheKit.com who sell Absinthe essences. A kit is a great idea because it contains an essence which will make up to 14 bottle of Absinthe! Buying online is very easy.

Absinthe Alcohol Preparation Ritual

There is an amazing ritual involved in the preparation of original Absinthe. Here is a brief outline of the steps involved to make real Absinthe:-
– Pour Absinthe into a glass like the Absinthe glasses that are available online from AbsintheKit.com
– Place a cube of sugar on a special Absinthe slotted spoon and rest over the glass.
– Pour ice cold water over the sugar cube to dilute the Absinthe to the required ratio.
The oils of anise, fennel and star anise are not soluble and so cloud the drink. This clouding is called “louching” and Absinthe is meant to do this. The finished drink will look milky and cloudy.

Absinthe can also be used in cocktails. Ernest Hemingway’s famous recipe was to mix Absinthe with champagne. Other cocktails with Absinthe include the Tomate which is Absinthe mixed with grenadine and iced water.

Absinthe alcohol content is not to be worried about – just remember that it is twice as strong as whisky, gin and vodka and that you should drink it in moderation.