Wormwood oil extracted from Artemisia absinthium, a herb that grows in the temperate regions of North Africa, Asia, and Europe. Wormwood has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries. Wormwood oil is considered toxic in its pure concentrated form. It is extracted using the steam distillation method. Only the leaves and flowering tops of the plant are used for oil extraction.

The plant Artemisia absinthium belongs to the Asteraceae family and is also known as the green ginger, wormwood, absinthium, and armoise. The medicinal properties of this plant were recognized by early civilizations. In fact, the word absinthium comes from a Greek word apsinthion. Wormwood oil has been used in the treatment of several conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, Gall bladder inflammation and as an agent that expels intestinal parasites. Wormwood oil’s aromatic and antiseptic properties were appreciated by medical practitioners for centuries.

At the end of the eighteenth century a French doctor Dr Pierre Ordinaire invented absinthe using wormwood to treat stomach ailments. It was also used a digestive tonic in those days. Absinthe soon caught the fancy of the public and by the end of nineteenth century it had become one of the most sought after liquors in Europe. So popular had absinthe become that at one time it rivaled wine in popularity. Absinthe however, had high alcohol content and its unique effects added to its popularity. It was the favorite drink of many intellectuals, artists and painters along with the common man. Absinthe was considered as a creative stimulant and many great artists, painters and writers of the eighteenth and nineteenth century attributed their creative genius to its unique effects.

Absinthe is made using various herbs and neutral spirits; the main herb being wormwood. Thujone a chemical present in wormwood oil and other essential oils from other herbs were considered responsible for the unique effects of absinthe liquor. Thujone consumed in higher concentrations can cause hallucinations, hyper excitability, and in some cases brain damage

The late nineteenth century also saw an increase in alcohol addiction levels amongst the general population in Europe. Due to unsubstantiated rumors and misinformation, absinthe was eventually banned in most parts of Europe and North America at the beginning of the twentieth century. However, in the light of new research published in the later part of the twentieth century and early twenty-first century most countries in Europe lifted the ban and allowed production, consumption, and sale of absinthe. The research clearly demonstrated, using sophisticated analytical tools that thujone content in absinthe was within safe limits and fit for human consumption in moderation.

Wormwood oil is today used by many herbalists to treat indigestion, worm infestation and other liver and gall bladder problems. Wormwood oil contains active substances like thujone and isothujone.

Wormwood oil is also used in the preparation of absinthe essence. Absinthe continues to be banned in America. However, American citizens can purchase absinthe essence and absinthe kits from non-US producers online and prepare their own absinthe liquor.

For more authentic information on absinthe kits, absinthe essence, and other absinthe accessories visit absinthekit.com

Absinthe the legendary liquor of nineteenth century Europe has made a stunning comeback after being banned for most part of the twentieth century. Absinthe is considered a living fossil amongst all modern drinks. It has the ability to transport its lovers back to the magical days of nineteenth century Europe. Absinthe was the most popular drink of Europeans before it was wrongfully banned. Pre ban Vintage absinthe reminds connoisseurs of the glittering cafés of Paris, bohemian musicians, great painters like Vincent Van Gogh and Picasso and an era that epitomized artistic and cultural refinement.

Absinthe was invented by a French doctor Dr. Pierre Ordinaire just after the French revolution. It was initially used for treating stomach ailments. It was also called “La Fee Verte” or “The Green Fairy” this nickname is fondly used even today. In 1805 the first factory to commercially produce absinthe was started by Henri Louis Pernod, as by that time absinthe was considered an appetizing alcoholic beverage. Absinthe’s popularity grew by leaps and bounds and soon it became the most preferred drink in all cabarets and cafés of Paris. Everyday 5 p.m. was celebrated as the green hour.

By the middle of the nineteenth century concerns were raised as chronic abuse of absinthe had started creating social problems. Absinthe was blamed for a syndrome called absinthism. Hallucinations, epileptic fits, and hyper-excitability were considered as the classic symptoms of this new syndrome. Belgium banned absinthe in the year 1905 and by 1915 almost all European countries except Spain had banned absinthe. Most of the reputed distilleries that were producing absinthe went bankrupt and closed down while some distilleries started producing pastis.

However, in the beginning of this century most European countries lifted the ban on absinthe in the light of new discoveries that rubbished the claim that absinthe contained abnormal levels of thujone. This renewed interest in absinthe; and once again absinthe started to claim its rightful place amongst the finest of liquors. Suddenly vintage bottles of absinthe were the most sought after items and collectors began collecting vintage absinthe bottles from century old cellars.

Vintage absinthe sells for a phenomenal amount and there are people who are ready to pay hundreds of dollars for a 30mL samples. Perfectly sealed bottles with the cork intact sell for hundreds of dollars. The absinthe in these vintage absinthe bottles is very well preserved and louches beautifully and is remarkably smooth to drink.
However, not everyone has the resources to buy vintage absinthe just to spend an evening with the “Green Fairy”. The best alternative to vintage absinthe is to order absinthe essence and prepare your very own absinthe with neutral spirits like vodka. United States continues to ban production and sale of absinthe. US citizens can posses and consume absinthe as it is not a crime. The closest you can get to taste pre-ban absinthe is by ordering absinthe essence from non-US producers of absinthe essence and absinthe kits and make your own absinthe at home. The essence is made using the classic absinthe recipes.

Absinthekit.com is the most trusted site that offers a variety of genuine absinthe essence, absinthe kits, and other absinthe accessories.

Due to its legendary reputation and a certain aura of mystique around it, absinthe is still considered somewhat of a mystery. So, what is absinthe? This is a question asked by many people who have little or no knowledge of fine liquors. Well, absinthe is the legendary liquor made popular by the likes of Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemmingway, and Oscar Wilde just to name a few.

This legendary liquor started out as a digestive tonic after a French doctor Dr. Pierre Ordinaire discovered its magical properties in the late eighteenth century. Absinthe was then prescribed to treat various stomach ailments. However, soon after it became the most popular alcoholic beverage in Europe. It was common to see people drinking this liquor in the cafés and bars of Paris and other European cities in the nineteenth century. Absinthe was considered as a creative stimulant by many great artists, authors and other creative people.

Absinthe is anise flavored liquor with high alcohol content. It is prepared by distilling neutral grain spirit or wine with different herbs such as wormwood, anise, fennel, angelica root, dittany leaves, hyssop, juniper, nutmeg, Melissa, veronica and coriander. Absinthe liquor may be colorless or have a bright green hue. The green color is due to the presence of chlorophyll from herbs such as hyssop and Melissa.

Absinthe has a very bitter taste and is usually taken with sugar and ice-cold water. The bitter taste is due to absinthine a substance found in wormwood. The alcohol content is generally between 50% and 75%. When at its peak, absinthe rivaled wine in popularity. Thujone, a chemical present in the herb wormwood, is the active ingredient in absinthe However, due to its mild hallucinogenic effects, misinformation and unsubstantiated rumors were spread by vested interests from the wine industry. This had the desired effect and absinthe was ultimately banned by most western countries at the beginning of the twentieth century.

In the last decade of the twentieth century new research proved that absinthe did not contain abnormal levels of hallucinogenic substances. Absinthe was once again legalized and since then has made a terrific comeback in most European countries. Absinthe production and sale continues to be banned in the United States; however, drinking and possession of absinthe is not considered as a crime. Absinthe is not drunk like other everyday spirits such as whiskey or rum; an elaborate ritual is followed to prepare the absinthe drink. Special absinthe glasses, absinthe fountains, absinthe bottles, absinthe spoons, sugar cubes, and ice-cold water are a part of the classic absinthe ritual.

In the classic French ritual absinthe is poured in a special absinthe glass and a special absinthe slotted spoon is place over the rim of the glass. A sugar cube is placed over the spoon and ice-cold water is poured over the spoon from an absinthe fountain. As the sugar cube dissolves in the water it falls through the perforations into the glass. The clear green absinthe in the glass turns opaque due to the louche effect as essential oils in the liquor are released. Ice-cold water is added to dilute the absinthe and the drink is then ready.

Since absinthe is still outlawed in the United States, US citizens are denied the pleasure of authentic absinthe. US citizens can source absinthe essence and absinthe kits from European producers and make their very own absinthe liquor. Genuine absinthe essence is mixed in neutral spirits such as vodka to prepare absinthe liquor.

Absinthekit.com is one place where you can get genuine absinthe essence, absinthe kits, and other absinthe accessories.

Absinthe is made from several herbs and the principal herb used in its production is Artemisia absinthium or grand wormwood. The active chemical present in wormwood is thujone; it is a monoterpene and is related to menthol. Thujone in pure form is a colorless liquid and is known for its healing, restorative, and anthelmintic qualities. Wormwood oil has approximately 40%-60% thujone.

Thujone is a naturally occurring compound in many plants and herbs such as thuja, white cedar, common sage, etc. Many popular liqueurs such as Benedictine, Chartreuse, and Vermouth contain small amounts of thujone. The most famous liqueur that contains thujone is absinthe. Absinthe the legendary drink of nineteenth century Europe is made from several herbs such as Florence fennel, green aniseed, lemon balm, hyssop, dittany, angelica, star anise, nutmeg, juniper, veronica and wormwood.

Thujone in its pure and concentrated form is toxic and can cause convulsions and brain damage. However, the concentration of thujone in absinthe is thousand times lower than what can be considered as dangerous for human consumption. Thujone in small quantity acts as a stimulant. This was one reason for absinthes popularity in nineteenth century Europe when a great cultural and artistic revolution was taking place. Famous personalities that included great painters and writers were avid followers of absinthe and many attributed their creative genius to absinthe and its magical effects. Great masters like Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemmingway were devotees of absinthe or the “Green Fairy”.

Thujone’s chemical structure is similar to that of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol that is present in marijuana. This led a few scientists to believe that thujone has the same effect on the brain as marijuana; however, recent studies have proved this to be a false alarm and the hypothesis stands discredited.

Absinthe has for long been considered a creative stimulant and its effects are different from other alcoholic beverages. It was a strong belief of past masters that drinking absinthe heightened the clarity of vision and mind. These claims have however not been substantiated by scientific tests. Absinthe should be drunk not for it’s so called effects but because it tastes great. Absinthe has high alcohol content and should be taken in moderation.

Absinthe was banned by most European countries and United States at the beginning of the twentieth century due to misunderstandings and unfounded rumors that were doing the rounds at that time. However, in light of new research most European countries have lifted the ban and absinthe production and sale is no longer illegal. The United States continues to ban absinthe and production and sale of absinthe is a crime. However, it is not a crime to posses and drink absinthe in the United States.

Thujone content in most modern absinthe produced by European manufacturers is less than 10 mg per liter. The European standard for Thujone in bitters is 35 mg per liter.

US citizens can buy their absinthe online from non-US producers or order absinthe kits and essence and prepare their very own absinthe. Absinthekit.com is the best place where you are assured of the finest absinthe essence made using authentic traditional recipes.

So, go ahead and order your absinthe essence, absinthe kits, and other absinthe accessories from absinthekit.com and spend an eventful evening with friends and family enjoying the most popular drink of 1800s.

Jade absinthe or the fabled green colored aperitif is making a stunning comeback in most parts of the world. Today, almost all west European countries have lifted the century long ban imposed on absinthe. No drink in history has been so wrongfully blamed as absinthe. Absinthe has been blamed for almost all miseries from madness to serial murders.

Absinthe also nicknamed as the “Green Fairy” was the most popular liquor of nineteenth century Europe. Original absinthe was a potent blend of various alpine herbs soaked in alcohol. Several artists and writers in the nineteenth century were devotees of absinthe. This liquor was liked by both the masses and classes of nineteenth century Europe. At one time it was more popular than wine.

Since, lifting of the ban absinthe has generated a great deal of interest amongst connoisseurs of fine liquor. Younger people today want to taste pre-ban absinthe. Vintage absinthes of the pre-ban period recovered from old cellars in Europe are fetching astronomical prices; however, not everyone can afford to pay huge sums to taste the original absinthe.

Thankfully, T.A. Breaux a professional scientist has taken it upon himself to offer connoisseurs the opportunity to taste and relish the experience of original pre-ban absinthe. T.A. Breaux established Jade liqueurs in the year 2000 to produce recreations of classic absinthes of nineteenth century Europe. A chance discovery of rare pre-ban absinthe bottles in a Corsican cellar have allowed Mr. Breaux and his other associates to use modern analytical tools to unlock the secrets of vintage absinthe.

Jade absinthes are made using accurate and authentic recipes. The herbs used in making absinthe are harvested from specific areas of Europe and at particular time of the year, as was done during the pre-ban era. Some of the stills used for distillation are carefully restored and date back to the nineteenth century. Ted Breaux and his associates have done huge amount of original research to produce or recreate original absinthe. Jade absinthe is balanced and has the same herbal aroma and the lingering taste of vintage absinthe. Tasting this absinthe is bound to take the connoisseur back in history when the Green Fairy was the favorite muse of great masters like Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Oscar Wilde.

Vintage absinthe accessories such as absinthe spoons, absinthe glasses, absinthe labels, and absinthe fountains are also in great demand; however, they come with a heavy price tag. Silver plated stylish copies of absinthe spoons glasses and other accessories are available online and lovers of absinthe can buy them online. Absinthekit.com is a reliable source for authentic absinthe essence, classic absinthe spoons, glasses, and other absinthe accessories.

How to make absinthe? This is one question that is being asked by connoisseurs of alcoholic beverages more often these days as there is heightened interest in absinthe. The reason is fairly simple to understand, absinthe has made a dramatic comeback after being banned for almost a century.

There are two ways you can answer the question, how to make absinthe? One way would be explaining how to prepare an absinthe drink and the other would be how to prepare the liquor absinthe. In this article we will discuss how to prepare the liquor using traditional a recipe and herbs.

Absinthe is made using different alpine herbs including wormwood or Artemisia absinthium. Absinthe was originally used as a bitter digestive tonic. Good quality absinthe is made by soaking wormwood and other herbs in alcohol and then distilling the solution. Wormwood contains thujone which is the active ingredient in absinthe and gives absinthe its bitter taste.

The ingredients required to make absinthe are 750 ml of vodka or any neutral spirit, herbs such as wormwood, hyssop, fennel seed, anise seed, angelica root, lemon balm, veronica, sage, coriander, mint, thyme and cardamom. To prepare green absinthe coriander and mint are used while to prepare red absinthe green herbs are excluded and red herbs such as paprika are used.

Depending on the color of absinthe desired; ground all the herbs finely and place in a cup. Fine grounding of herbs results in efficient extraction of herbal constituents. The finely ground herbal mixture is added to vodka or any other neutral spirit and placed in a jar and sealed.

The bottle or jar is then stored in cold and dark place for up to two months. The longer you keep the greater is the infusion of herbs in the solution. This process is called as maceration. The duration of maceration will also influence the flavor of the final product.

After the mixture is kept for two months, it is then removed and strained. The strained liquid will be brown in color and very bitter. This liquid is then distilled to reduce the bitterness and give it a clear hue. This liquid is called as the “absinthe blanche”. Now you may add other flavoring and coloring herbs such as hyssop, mint and coriander if you want a green absinthe or paprika if you want a red absinthe. This second maceration gives the absinthe its final flavor and color.

While mixing the distillate with flavoring herbs you should further dilute the absinthe with vodka. Keep for a fortnight and your absinthe is ready.

Absinthe should be enjoyed using the traditional ritual. Absinthe is the only liquor that needs an elaborate ritual using special absinthe spoon, absinthe glass, sugar cube, ice cold water, and absinthe fountain.

You can make your own absinthe by a much easier method than the one mentioned above. Just buy genuine absinthe essence that is made using traditional absinthe recipe and mix it with vodka or any other neutral spirit, and your absinthe is ready to serve. Absinthekit.com is a very trusted name from where you can source genuine absinthe essences of various strengths.

Visit absinthekit.com for more information on absinthe essence and other absinthe accessories such as absinthe spoons, absinthe glasses and absinthe labels.

Absinthe is the legendary liquor of nineteenth and early twentieth century Europe. It was a drink that was favored by great artists and intellectuals before being banned by most countries for most of the twentieth century. Absinthe or the “Green Fairy” has made a terrific comeback since most countries have now lifted the ban in the wake of new discoveries that proved it does not contain substances that are harmful to humans. Since the lifting of the ban great deal of interest has been generated in the drink and the elaborate serving ritual. In this article we will see how to drink absinthe following two traditional rituals.

Absinthe is anise flavored bitter liquor made from several alpine herbs. Wormwood or Artemisia absinthium is the main herb used in its preparation. Wormwood contains thujone a chemical that is widely believed to produce effects similar to cannabis. However, new research has proved that the effects of thujone are largely overstated. Absinthe was very popular amongst great painters and writers, some famous names included Vincent van Gogh, Ernest Hemmingway, Pablo Picasso, and Oscar Wilde.

Absinthe is not like any other spirit and an elaborate ritual is followed in its preparation. Traditional French and Czech rituals are the two most followed rituals used when serving absinthe.

The traditional French ritual requires a bottle of absinthe, absinthe spoon, absinthe fountain, sugar cube, absinthe glass, and ice cold water. A shot of absinthe (1.5 ounces) is poured in a special absinthe glass. An absinthe slotted or perforated spoon is placed over the glass and a sugar cube placed over it. Ice cold water is slowly dripped over the sugar cube from an absinthe fountain. As the water drips over the sugar cube it dissolves the sugar and falls in the glass. Once the sugar has completely dissolved some more ice water is added in the glass to further dilute the absinthe. Generally two parts of water to one part of absinthe is used. As absinthe gets diluted it turns cloudy white or opaque, this is called the louche effect. This happens as the essential oils from herbs contained in absinthe precipitate. The absinthe is now ready to be served.

The Czech ritual is more modern and more fun. One shot of absinthe (1.5 ounces) is poured in absinthe glass and absinthe spoon is placed on the glass with a sugar cube. The sugar cube and the spoon is then dipped in absinthe and withdrawn. The absinthe soaked sugar cube is then lighted with a lighter. As the flames engulf the sugar cube it caramelizes. The spoon is then dipped in the glass and ice cold water is added to further dilute the absinthe. As water is added the absinthe turns opaque white due to louche effect. The drink is then served.

A note of caution, absinthe has high alcohol content (about 140-proof) and should be consumed in moderation. The best way to drink absinthe is to sip it slowly to experience the subtle and unique effects of the herbs.

Special absinthe spoons, absinthe glasses, and absinthe fountains add to the aura and mystique of absinthe. You can buy absinthe and absinthe accessories from several online stores. Some of the best absinthe essence and other absinthe accessories are available on absinthekit.com, one of the most trusted sites dealing in absinthe and related products.

Absinthe the fascinating liquor with a lot of history and romantic connections to nineteenth century art world is back after being banned for almost a hundred years. Absinthe, a drink in a class of its own has aroused a great deal of interest and it is common to hear many versions about absinthe’s unique effects. The effects of absinthe are different for different people. However, one common experience that absinthe drinkers report is a unique clear headed form of drunkenness.

Absinthe is made using several herbs, the most important being wormwood or Artemisia absinthium. Absinthe also has very high alcohol content. It is widely believed that thujone a naturally occurring substance in wormwood is responsible for absinthes unique effects. It was widely believed that thujone was responsible for inducing effects similar to cannabis. This belief was based solely on the fact that thujone’s chemical structure is similar to THC a compound found in cannabis, however, new research have proved that the effects of thujone are grossly overstated.

Absinthe’s unique effects cannot be explained precisely, but it could be the result of several herbs that are used in its preparation. Different people have reported different effects. Perhaps the reason why absinthe was so famously endorsed by great artists and intellectuals was because of its so called mysterious effects. Absinthe was wrongly labeled as a narcotic in the beginning of the twentieth century and banned by almost all countries in west Europe and the United States.

Genuine absinthe causes no more than a mild buzz and heightens the clarity of mind and vision. The effects of absinthe do not last long and start wearing off after about half an hour of drinking it. There are numerous stories doing the rounds of cocktail circuits that suggest absinthe is able to influence the subconscious mind and take it to a different level of awareness.

Some of the effects can be explained by the fact that thujone is a neurotoxin and when consumed in a small quantity acts as a creative stimulant. Thujone and other ingredients from different herbs present in absinthe remove mental blocks thus increasing our cognitive and perceptive abilities. It is no wonder that great masters of the nineteenth century attributed their creative genius to absinthe’s unique effects. It was fondly nicknamed as the “Green Fairy” or “Green Muse”.

Today most European countries have lifted the ban imposed on absinthe and it is once again produced and marketed in Europe. The United States continues to ban the production and sale of absinthe; however, the possession and consumption of absinthe is not illegal in the US. Absinthe should be drunk for its taste and not for its supposed effects. This anise flavored liquor is one of the finest and comes with a great deal of history and culture attached to it.

US citizens can buy absinthe online from non-US producers or order absinthe essence and make their very own absinthe at home. Mixing genuine high quality absinthe essence in vodka or any other neutral spirit is the best and easiest way to make your very own absinthe.

So if you want to spend an evening flirting with the “Green Fairy” visit abisnthekit.com and order genuine absinthe essence and other absinthe accessories.

Clandestine absinthe or La clandestine absinthe is one of the finest absinthes available. Due to the overwhelming attention given to green absinthe this fine absinthe is known only to the real connoisseurs. Clandestine absinthe is different from traditional green absinthe in more ways than one.

Absinthe was first invented in Switzerland by a French doctor Dr. Pierre Ordinaire at the end of the eighteenth century. It was initially used to treat stomach ailments and as an anthelmintic. However, by the beginning of the nineteenth century absinthe had gained recognition as a fine alcoholic beverage. Commercial production of absinthe was started in France in the beginning of the nineteenth century.

Val-de-Travers a district in Switzerland is considered to be the historical birthplace of absinthe. The climate of Val-de-Travers is considered especially conducive for the several herbs that are used in absinthe. Val-de-Travers is also known for its watch making industry. Val-de-Travers is the coldest place in Switzerland and temperatures here go as low as -35°C to -39°C. Mountain herbs essential for making fine absinthes grow well in this place, also nicknamed as the “Swiss Siberia”. Another area where the climate and the soil are considered very conducive for herbs is near the French town, Pontarlier. These two places are as important to absinthe herbs as places such as Cognac and Champagne are for grapes used in wines.

Absinthe was perhaps the most popular drink in nineteenth century Europe. Many a great masters from the world of art and literature were avid absinthe drinkers. Absinthe is made from several herbs, the main herb being wormwood or Artemisia absinthium. Wormwood contains a chemical ‘thujone’ which is a mild neurotoxin. It was widely believed during the late nineteenth century that thujone was responsible for causing hallucinations and insanity. The temperance movement added fuel to fire and by the beginning of the twentieth century absinthe was banned by most European countries; however, Spain was the only country that did not ban absinthe.

As countries in Western Europe began placing restriction on the production and consumption of absinthe most distillers shut shop or began producing other spirits. Some moved their stocks to Spain while others went underground and continued to distill absinthe. Some enterprising absinthe distillers began producing clear absinthe to fool the customs authorities. This absinthe was called by several nicknames such as “bleues”, “blanches”, and “clandestine”. This is how clandestine absinthe was born.

Clandestine absinthe is clear and turns milky white when water is added. Unlike green absinthe, clandestine absinthe is generally served without sugar. During the period when absinthe was banned in most of Europe; distillers in Switzerland continued to distill absinthe clandestinely in small underground distilleries and sell it across Europe. Each batch of absinthe was handcrafted using the finest herbs and each bottle hand filled.

As the ban on absinthe started lifting throughout Europe at the turn of this century many underground distillers came over ground and began applying for licenses to legally manufacture absinthe. A gentleman called Claude-Alain Bugnon, who was earlier distilling absinthe in his kitchen and laundry, became the first person to be granted a license to legally manufacture absinthe.

Claude-Alain’s ranges of Swiss and French absinthes are considered one of the finest. La Clandestine, a brand of Claude-Alain’s occupies the top spot in the list of great absinthes.

Absinthe is still banned in the United States; however, US citizens can buy absinthe online from non-US producers directly.

Buying absinthe online is not as easy as walking into a liquor store and purchasing a bottle of absinthe. Although a bit difficult, buying absinthe online is still possible and you have to take few precautions. US citizens face difficulty when they have to buy absinthe online, as thujone which is an important active ingredient in absinthe is banned in the United States. However, it has been proved that thujone does not cause hallucinations similar to cannabis as earlier believed.

Production and sale of absinthe in the United States is strictly prohibited; however, importing absinthe that does not contain any traces of thujone is allowed. For buying any kind of alcohol you need to be 21 years or older and anyone found violating this law is prosecuted. There are many who are interested in buying absinthe in the United States. So what is it that attracts lovers of fine liquor to absinthe?

Well, absinthe is the most famous and controversial liquor made from herbs such as wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), green anise, fennel seed, angelica root, star anise hyssop, melissa, and peppermint leaves. The herb wormwood is the most important ingredient and it contains thujone which is responsible for absinthe unique effects. Absinthe liquor is bitter to taste and hence it is always taken with sugar and ice-cold water. Absinthe drink is prepared using a traditional ritual.

In the traditional French ritual a special absinthe glass, absinthe spoon, sugar cube, and ice-cold water is required. An ounce or two of absinthe is poured in the glass and an absinthe spoon is kept over the rim of the glass. The absinthe spoon has perforations in its basin. A sugar cube is kept on the spoon and ice-cold water is poured over the cube from an absinthe fountain, as the water dissolves the sugar cube it falls through the perforations in to the glass. The clear green absinthe turns turbid or milky white as the essential oils from the herbs get precipitated. This is called louching of absinthe. Some more ice-cold water is added and the drink is ready. Absinthe was very popular in Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth century and was lovingly called as “The Green Fairy” or “Green Muse”. However, due to certain misconceptions and rumors absinthe was banned in Europe and North America in the twentieth century.

In the light of new evidence presented by scientists in the year 1999 most European countries lifted the ban on absinthe and it is now accessible to people. In the United States it is still banned; however, US citizens can buy absinthe online from various online stores. Absinthe is a strong alcoholic beverage and the alcohol content is as high as 60%.

Since buying real absinthe is illegal in the US many imitations of absinthe are sold online. You should be wary of such fraudulent websites that promise to ship you the real thing. You can buy absinthe online from some of the reputed distillers in Europe. The absinthe shipped will be minus thujone and perfectly legal. Ordering absinthe from French distilleries is also a good idea and the product you get does not contain thujone. However, when ordering absinthe online you should be careful as some websites may be illegal.

Perhaps the best option available for US citizens is to buy absinthe kits from non-US producers and prepare your own absinthe at home. The kit comes with all the essential herbs, instructions on preparation, rituals and other accessories such as spoon, straining cloth, etc you can prepare about 2 liters of absinthe liquor from a single kit that will keep a party of eight going until dawn. Serving absinthe at a party will also earn you the title “King of good times”. One place from where you can be assured of top quality herbs and genuine absinthe essence is absinthekit.com

Go ahead and order your kit and spend an evening in the company of friends and the legendary “Green Fairy”.