Absinthe, also known as the Green Fairy, is a herbal alcoholic beverage with an anise flavor. It was the drink of La Belle Epoque period of history and of the Bohemian culture of Paris, in particular Montmartre. Absinthe fans – Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway claimed that the drink was responsible for their genius and that it gave them inspiration – the Green Fairy was their muse. But, what is in Absinthe?

What is in Absinthe?

Henri-Louis Pernod’s Absinthe of the early 19th century was produced using a wine based alcohol which was distilled with natural herbs. It is said that his Absinthe recipe was made using the plant common wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium) and other herbs including Florence fennel, green aniseed, hyssop, lemon balm, dittany, star anise, angelica, veronica, nutmeg and juniper. Some of these herbs were used at the beginning of the process and others were used at the end to give the Absinthe its classic green or verte color.

Wormwood gave Absinthe its name (from Absinthium) and its slightly bitter taste. Roman or petite wormwood (artemisia pontica) is also sometimes used in Absinthe production.

Wormwood contains a chemical called thujone. Thujones are monoterpenes and ketones which are found in various other plants too – sage, cypress and tansy. Thujones act on the GABA receptors in the brain and can cause convulsions and muscle spasms when consumed in large quantities. They can also be toxic to organs such as the liver and brain. Thujone was thought to be similar to THC in the drug cannabis causing psychedelic effects such as hallucinations but research has shown this to be false.

Wormwood, or thujone, was responsible for the banning of Absinthe in the early 1900s. The medical profession of the time claimed that drinking Absinthe led to Absinthe addiction, Absinthism whose symptoms were:-

– Hallucinations
– Hyper excitability
– Weakening of the intellect
– Brain damage
– Insanity
– Death

These claims have now been proved false and seem to be just part of the mass hysteria promoted by the prohibition movement of the time. Absinthe, even pre ban Absinthe, only contains very small amounts of thujone and it would be impossible to ingest enough thujone to be harmful – you would die of alcohol poisoning first! There is far more thujone in sage and no one hallucinates after eating a casserole flavored with sage!

All good Absinthe contains wormwood and other essential oils. These oils allow the Absinthe to louche when water is added in Absinthe preparation and give it its wonderful anise flavor. Make sure that you buy a quality Absinthe or make your own Absinthe using a top-quality essence from AbsintheKit.com. See AbsintheKit.com for information and help regarding their Absinthe products.

Absinthe also contains alcohol and it has a very high alcohol by volume, up to 75% ABV. Care should be taken when drinking Absinthe, not because it will make you hallucinate but because it is so easy to get drunk on Absinthe especially if you are mixing it with other alcohol in cocktails.

I hope that this information has answered the question “What is in Absinthe?”. Enjoy getting to know the Green Fairy!

Absinthe is now one again a popular alcoholic drink, thanks to its legalization in the USA and other countries after many decades of being illegal. Many young people are trying it for the first time and knocking it back without any consideration of its alcohol content. So, what is Absinthe proof?

Absinthe is an anise flavored liquor which is made from distilling alcohol with a blend of herbs including wormwood (artemisia absinthium), aniseed and fennel. It is commonly known as the Green Fairy, La Fee Verte, because of the characteristic emerald green coloring of classic verte styles of Absinthe.

Absinthe is usually consumed diluted with iced water according to the Ritual. You have to drip the water over a sugar lump on a slotted spoon and into the Absinthe which causes the Absinthe to louche – a lovely effect.

Absinthe was banned in the early 1900s not because of its high alcohol content but because of the wormwood in it. Dr Valentin Magnan tested worwmood on guinea pigs in 1845 and found that a guinea pig given wormwood oil had convulsions, whereas, a guinea pig given alcohol just got drunk. By 1872 Magnan had isolated the chemical thujone from wormwood and, after tests on dogs, established that thujone was far more dangerous than ethanol (alcohol) and so Absinthe was much more harmful than other types of spirits. He and others in the medical profession were convinced that thujone was psychoactive and caused psychedelic effects. Absinthe was therefore banned.

Even in 1975, a nature magazine claimed that a thujone molecule was similar in structure to THC from the drug cannabis and that they therefore acted in a similar manner.

We now know that all these claims are inaccurate and false. Thujone is not like THC, although it does act on the GABA receptors of the brain, when taken in large amounts. We also know from testing Absinthes, including vintage Absinthe, that Absinthe only contains very small amounts of thujone, nowhere near enough to be harmful. You would have to drink vast amounts of Absinthe and die of alcohol poisoning before suffering any effects from thujone!

Although Absinthe will not cause us to hallucinate or convulse, it is a highly alcoholic drink which needs to be consumed with care because it will get you drunk quite quickly.

What is Absinthe proof?

Let’s see what the proof of well-known brands of Absinthe is:-

Lucid Absinthe 62% abv (124 proof)
La Clandestine Absinthe 53% abv (106 proof)
Sebor 55% abv (110 proof)
Pere Kermanns 60% abv (120 proof)
Pernod Absinthe 68% abv (136 proof0
Mari Mayans Collectors 70 70% abv (140 proof)
La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise 68% abv (136 proof)
La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
La Fee Parisian 68% abv (136 proof)
Kubler 53 53% abv (106 proof)
Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or 65% abv (130 proof)
Roquette 1797 75% abv (150 proof)
Jade PF 1901 68% abv (136 proof)
Jade Edouard 72% abv (144 proof)
Jade Verte Suisse 65% abv (130 proof)
Jade Nouvelle Orleans 68% abv (136 proof)

If we compare that to other alcoholic beverages we can see that Absinthe is very strong:-

Absolut Blue Vodka 40% abv (80 proof)
Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila 38% abv (76 proof)
Beer tends to be 4 or 5% alcohol by volume (8-10 proof).
Table Wine 9-12% alcohol by volume (18-24 proof).
Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof).
Everclear 95% abv (190 proof)

If you make homemade Absinthe using essences from AbsintheKit.com then your homemade Absinthe’s proof will depend on what neutral alcohol you use.

What is Absinthe proof? Very high is the answer!

Lots of people around the world are asking “What is Absinthe alcohol?” because we seem to be experiencing an Absinthe revival at the moment. Absinthe is seen as a trendy and mysterious drink which is associated with Bohemian artists and writers, films such as “From Hell” and “Moulin Rouge” and celebrities like Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson. Manson has even had his own Absinthe created called “Mansinthe”!

Van Gogh, Gauguin, Degas, Pablo Picasso, Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway talked of Absinthe giving them their inspiration and genius. They even called the Green Fairy their muse. Absinthe features in many artistic works – The Absinthe drinker by Picasso, The Absinthe Drinker by Manet and L’Absinthe by Degas. The writer Charles Baudelaire also wrote about it in his poetry too. Absinthe has definitely inspired great works and has had an amazing effect on history.

What is Absinthe Alcohol?

Absinthe is an anise flavored, high proof alcohol. It is usually served with iced water to dilute it and to cause it to louche. Henri-Louis Pernod distilled it in the early 19th century by using a wine alcohol base flavored with natural herbs and plants. Traditional herbs used in Absinthe production include wormwood, aniseed, fennel, star anise, hyssop and lemon balm, as well as many others. Spanish Absenta, the Spanish name for Absinthe, tends to be a bit sweeter than French or Swiss Absinthe because it uses a different type of anise, Alicante anise.

Legend has it that Absinthe was created in the late 18th century by Dr Pierre Ordinaire as an elixir for his patients in Couvet, Switzerland. The recipe then got into the hands of two sisters who started selling it as a drink in the town and eventually sold it to a Major Dubied whose daughter married into the Pernod family – the rest is, as they say, history!

By 1805, Pernod had opened a distillery in Pontarlier, France and started producing Absinthe under the name “Pernod Fils” and, by the middle of the 19th century, the Pernod company was producing more than 30,000 liters of Absinthe a day! Absinthe even became more popular than wine in France.

Absinthe had its heyday during the Golden Age of La Belle Epoque in France. Unfortunately, it became associated with drugs such as heroin, cocain and cannabis and was accused of having psychedelic effects. Prohibitionists, doctors and wine producers, who were upset with Absinthe’s popularity, all ganged up against Absinthe and were able to persuade the French Government to ban the beverage in 1915.

Fortunately, Absinthe has since been redeemed. Studies and tests have shown that Absinthe is no more harmful than any other strong liquor and that it does not induce hallucinations or damage people’s health. The claims of the early 20th century are now seen as mass hysteria and falsehoods. It was legalized in the EU in 1988 and the USA have allowed various brands of Absinthe to be sold in the US since 2007.

You can read more about its history and interesting facts on absinthebuyersguide.com and the Buyer’s Guide and forum at lafeeverte.net. The forum is useful because there are reviews on different Absinthes. You can purchase Absinthe essences, which make real wormwood Absinthe, along with replica Absinthe glasses and spoons at AbsintheKit.com.

So, what is Absinthe alcohol? It is a mythical, mysterious drink with an incredible history.

Lots of people around the world are asking “What is Absinthe alcohol?” because we seem to be experiencing an Absinthe revival at the moment. Absinthe is seen as a trendy and mysterious drink which is associated with Bohemian artists and writers, films such as “From Hell” and “Moulin Rouge” and celebrities like Johnny Depp and Marilyn Manson. Manson has even had his own Absinthe created called “Mansinthe”!

Van Gogh, Gauguin, Degas, Pablo Picasso, Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway talked of Absinthe giving them their inspiration and genius. They even called the Green Fairy their muse. Absinthe features in many artistic works – The Absinthe drinker by Picasso, The Absinthe Drinker by Manet and L’Absinthe by Degas. The writer Charles Baudelaire also wrote about it in his poetry too. Absinthe has definitely inspired great works and has had an amazing effect on history.

What is Absinthe Alcohol?

Absinthe is an anise flavored, high proof alcohol. It is usually served with iced water to dilute it and to cause it to louche. Henri-Louis Pernod distilled it in the early 19th century by using a wine alcohol base flavored with natural herbs and plants. Traditional herbs used in Absinthe production include wormwood, aniseed, fennel, star anise, hyssop and lemon balm, as well as many others. Spanish Absenta, the Spanish name for Absinthe, tends to be a bit sweeter than French or Swiss Absinthe because it uses a different type of anise, Alicante anise.

Legend has it that Absinthe was created in the late 18th century by Dr Pierre Ordinaire as an elixir for his patients in Couvet, Switzerland. The recipe then got into the hands of two sisters who started selling it as a drink in the town and eventually sold it to a Major Dubied whose daughter married into the Pernod family – the rest is, as they say, history!

By 1805, Pernod had opened a distillery in Pontarlier, France and started producing Absinthe under the name “Pernod Fils” and, by the middle of the 19th century, the Pernod company was producing more than 30,000 liters of Absinthe a day! Absinthe even became more popular than wine in France.

Absinthe had its heyday during the Golden Age of La Belle Epoque in France. Unfortunately, it became associated with drugs such as heroin, cocain and cannabis and was accused of having psychedelic effects. Prohibitionists, doctors and wine producers, who were upset with Absinthe’s popularity, all ganged up against Absinthe and were able to persuade the French Government to ban the beverage in 1915.

Fortunately, Absinthe has since been redeemed. Studies and tests have shown that Absinthe is no more harmful than any other strong liquor and that it does not induce hallucinations or damage people’s health. The claims of the early 20th century are now seen as mass hysteria and falsehoods. It was legalized in the EU in 1988 and the USA have allowed various brands of Absinthe to be sold in the US since 2007.

You can read more about its history and interesting facts on absinthebuyersguide.com and the Buyer’s Guide and forum at lafeeverte.net. The forum is useful because there are reviews on different Absinthes. You can purchase Absinthe essences, which make real wormwood Absinthe, along with replica Absinthe glasses and spoons at AbsintheKit.com.

So, what is Absinthe alcohol? It is a mythical, mysterious drink with an incredible history.

Vintage Absinthe was, in the past, thought to contain as much as 260-350mg per kg of thujone, the chemical found in the herb common wormwood. Thujone was thought to be similar to THC in cannabis, to be psychoactive and to cause psychedelic effects. Absinthe was banned in many countries in the early 1900s because of claims and allegations that it was dangerous and could drive people insane. It was said that prolonged Absinthe drinking, Absinthism, caused hallucinations, convulsions, fits, brain damage and ultimately death.

Studies in recent times on vintage Absinthe recipes from the 19th century and testing on vintage bottles of Asbinthe performed by distiller Ted Breaux, have concluded that vintage Absinthe contained a maximum of only 6mg/kg of thujone, nowhere near enough to cause the effects claimed. An Absinthe drinker would die of alcohol poisoning long before suffering any ill effects from the thujone!

Vintage Absinthe and Modern Classics

It is possible to buy antique vintage bottles of the Green Fairy, the nickname for Absinthe, but these are very expensive and you wouldn’t want to drink such a valuable piece of history. Instead, it is possible to buy modern Absinthe which is modeled on original Absinthe recipes and vintage Absinthes.

Here are a few great modern Absinthes:-

– Absinthe Clandestine – Created by former Absinthe bootlegger Claude-Alain Bugnon and distilled in Couvet, the home town of Absinthe, this Absinthe is based on traditional Swiss La Bleue recipes. It is a clear Absinthe which is made from wormwood, anise and a variety of other herbs, including local Alpine herbs. This Absinthe is said to have a taste of honey and alpine meadows.

– La Ptite Absinthe – Also distilled in Couvet, this clear Absinthe is based on a 1898 recipe found by Guadentia Persoz when she moved into her house in Couvet. The recipe uses 12 different herbs to make a quality La Bleue.

– Absinthe Brevans – This Absinthe is distilled at the Kallnacher distillery in Switzerland using a 1897 recipe. It contains the traditional herbs and plants and uses a wine and marc base.

– Absinthe Duplais – Also distilled at the Kallnacher distillery, this is a green or verte Absinthe which is made using an original Absinthe making manual written by P.Duplais. This Absinthe is said to have a lovely creamy, thick louche.

– Absinthe Roquette 1797 – This Absinthe is distilled in original 19th century alambics in Pontarlier, France – the French home of Absinthe. It is based on an 18th century recipe and is named after the horse of the legendary Absinthe creator Dr Pierre Ordinaire.

– The Jade Collection by Ted Breaux – Distilled in the Combier distillery in Saumur, France by American Ted Breaux, these Absinthes have won many awards. Breaux created his Absinthe recipes by testing and analyzing vintage Absinthes and they are distilled using traditional methods and using 19th century alambics rescued from the Pernod Fils distillery. The Jade collection includes a La Bleue , A New Orleans style Absinthe, A classic Pernod Fils style Absinthe, a green (verte) Swiss Absinthe and an Edouard Pernod inspired Absinthe.

– Essences from AbsintheKit.com – These essences are used by the Absinthe distillation industry and contain the traditional herbal ingredients. Simply mix with vodka or Everclear to get a real vintage Absinthe taste with real wormwood.

All of these Asbinthes should be prepared in the traditional way using the ritual, Absinthe glasses, spoons and iced water. Absinthe should be poured into a glass and the iced water should be dripped over a sugar cube, placed on the slotted Absinthe spoon, and into the Absinthe.

Vintage Absinthe and The United States

Ted Breaux, creator of the Jade Collection of Absinthes, dreamed of re-introducing Absinthe to the United States where it had been banned since 1912. US Customs would not allow any of his Jade collection or any other Absinthe to be shipped to the US due to the laws regarding Absinthe and thujone. Absinthe could not be bought, sold or served within the USA.

Ted Breaux and lawyer Gared Gurfein were able to convince the Alcohol, Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau of the low thujone content of “Lucid” a brand created by Breaux and they also found that US law only banned drinks named Absinthe and drinks with a thujone content of over 10mg.

Breaux launched “Lucid”, an Absinthe based on vintage Absinthe, in 2007 and it became legal to buy and sell within the US. Many posters advertised the launch of Lucid in different states around America – a historical event!

Playa del Carmen is a popular tourist attraction in Mexico and many US citizens want to know if it is possible to drink real Absinthe in Mexico because they have been unable to source it in the United States. So, let’s find out where to drink Absinthe in Playa del Carmen.

First some details about Playa del Carmen:-

Playa del Carmen is a trendy resort about 40 miles from Cancun. It has beautiful white beaches, coral reefs and a vibrant nightlife with a vast array of bars, clubs and restaurants on offer. Sunbathe or snorkel by day and dance the night away. It is the perfect place to sample your very first Absinthe.

Where to drink Absinthe in Playa del Carmen

Absinthe is not a hugely popular drink in Mexico but is catching on in resorts frequented by Europeans and Americans. Absinthe is legal in Mexico and many different brands and styles can be sampled including famous Czech brands.
For up to date information about bars and clubs that are serving Absinthe, you may want to check on absinthedemexico.com.

The main bars and clubs can be found on the Fifth Avenue, 8th Street and 12th street. Bars on 12th Street include Blue Parrot, Om and Coco Maya. Further bars including the Bali Club and Santanera can be found near 10th Avenue.

If you’re going to Playa del Carmen on holiday then that’s great, you can enjoy the sea, sun and a glass of Absinthe. However, there’s really no need to travel to Mexico just for buying Absinthe.

Since 2007 some brands of Absinthe have been legal to sell and buy in the United States. It has always been thought that Absinthe was illegal in the US because alcohol had to be classed as “thujone free” to be legal. The good news is that US test equipment allows liquor which has a thujone content of 10mg/kg or less to be classed as thujone free. This finding has meant that some distillers are now able to sell their Absinthe in the US. Lucid, Kubler and Green Moon have all been legalized now for purchase along with others.

True original Absinthe contains wormwood and to experience the real taste of pre ban Absinthe you need to buy Absinthe which contains wormwood and not a fake or substitute Absinthe. Wormwood is the key ingredient in Absinthe. If you order Absinthe online, many suppliers have product descriptions telling you about the different brands and their thujone levels. The website Lafeeverte.net has got a great buyer’s guide with reviews on different brands to help you choose from the many Absinthes on sale.

You can make your very own wormwood Green Fairy at home by using an essence from AbsintheKit.com. Simply mix 20ml of essence with 730ml of Everclear or vodka to make a true Absinthe. They have four different types of essences available to make four different styles of Absinthe – a La Bleue style, a classic verte Absinthe, an orange flavored Absinthe and a strong Absinthe which contains more wormwood and so has a stronger and more bitter flavor. All four essences contain wormwood. These essences are available on their website along with replica Absinthe glasses and spoons.

So, you no longer have to worry about where to drink Absinthe in Playa del Carmen when you can now enjoy the Green Fairy at home.

Many Absinthe aficionados want to know more about the drink of the Green Fairy and its history. So, let’s find out where is the birthplace of Absinthe.

Legend has it that Absinthe was created by Dr Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor in the Swiss Val de Travers town of Couvet. Ordinaire created Absinthe as an elixir or tonic for his patients and it was said to have miraculous effects on his patients.

The key ingredient of Ordinaire’s elixir was the herb worwmood, artemisia absinthium, a plant named after the goddess Artemis. Wormwood had been used since ancient times in medicine so it was a good choice for Ordinaire’s tonic. Wormwood contains a chemical called thujone and it was this chemical that caused the banning of Absinthe in the early 1900s. Thujone was claimed to be psychoactive and to cause psychedelic effecs just like THC in cannabis. We now know that thujone is not like THC and, although it can effect the GABA receptors in the brain, a person needs to ingest large amounts of thujone for this to happen and Absinthe only contains very small amounts.

Couvet is in the Swiss canton of Neuchatel in the Val de Travers region. It is known for being the birthplace of Absinthe and for being the home of the distillery of bootleg Absinthe distiller and artisan, Claude-Alain Bugnon. Bugnon was given an Absinthe recipe by a friend that his aunt, distiller Charlotte Vaucher, had been using since 1935. Bugnon decided to use the recipe to distill his very own bootleg clandestine Absinthe during the Absinthe ban. He was the first Absinthe distiller to ask the Swiss government for a license to distill Absinthe in 2004. In March 2005, the Absinthe ban was lifted and Bugnon was able to legally distill his Absinthes and La Clandestine was put on sale.

Bugnon’s distillery “C A Bugnon Artemisia Distillerie Artisanale” now distills his award winning range of Absinthes using the best traditional Absinthe herbs and alpine plants. His range includes:-

La Clandestine Originale – This was the first Absinthe to be distilled by the Artemisia distillery in 2005. It is made from 10 different herbs, including wormwood and anise (or anisé) and is a winner of a gold medal in the Concours Nationale des Spiritueux Suisses. La Clandestine is 53% abv or 106 proof. La Clandestine is a classic Swiss La Bleue (clear) Absinthe.

La Clandestine with wine alcohol base – This is just like La Clandestine but is made using wine alcohol which was used by Pernod in the 19th century but is not a traditional base for Swiss clandestine Absinthes. Bugnon describes this Absinthe as giving a “roundness in the mouth”.

La Capricieuse – This Absinthe is a stronger Absinthe with a higher alcohol content (72% abv, 144 proof). It is based on the recipe for La Clandestine but with a higher alcohol content.

Recette Marianne – Bugnon created this absinthe because he wanted to take part in the Absinthiades in Pontarlier, France. France still have strict rules governing Absinthe – Absinthe drinks cannot be labeled Absinthe and as well as complying to EU regulation regarding thujone, they also have to have low fenchone levels. Fenchone is the chemical found in fennel, a classic Absinthe ingredient. Bugnon created this low fenchone Absinthe especially for the French market and it won the Golden Spoon award at the Absinthiades in 2005, 2006 and 2007. It has an abv of 55% (110 proof).

Angelique Verte Suisse – This is a classic Swiss verte, or green, style Absinthe and is made using 12 herbs including wormwood and angelica. It has an abv of 72% (144 proof) and was launched by Bugnon in 2007.

Bugnon’s Absinthes are available to buy on many websites including his own absinthe-suisse.com.

You can make your own Swiss style La Bleue by using the Absinthe Clear essence from AbsintheKit.com. This essence can be ordered online for $3.95 for 20ml which makes one 750ml bottle of Absinthe or as part of a kit to make 14 bottle of Absinthe for $29. AbsintheKit’s essences are made by distilling natural Absinthe herbs and you just have to mix the essence with vodka or everclear to make a true wormwood Absinthe.

So, where is the birthplace of Absinthe? Couvet is the birthplace of Absinthe and is also home to some great present day Absinthes.

Absinthe was made illegal in many countries around the world in the early 1900s but has now been legalized in most countries due to tests showing its safety. This article will answer the question “Where is Absinthe legal?” and explain current legislation.

Absinthe, also known as the Green fairy or La Fee Verte, is high proof but is usually served diluted with water which causes the louche effect – the clouding that happens when water is added to the alcohol.

Absinthe is a strong liquor with an anise taste. Absinthe was a popular beverage in La Belle Epoque period in French history and also in the time known as the Great Binge, a time when cocaine, cannabis and heroin were used in drinks and children’s medicine before the dangers were known.

Absinthe was associated with the drug cannabis because it contains a chemical called thujone which was thought to be similar to THC. Thujone is found in wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), the ingredient which gives Absinthe its name and its slight bitter taste. Absinthe was thought to contain high quantities of thujone and to cause psychedelic effects. Studies have since shown that the Absinthe recipe only contained small amounts of wormwood and gas chromatography tests have shown that even pre ban Absinthe only contained minute amounts of thujone.

Where is Absinthe legal today?

United States – The United States banned Absinthe and drinks containing thujone in 1912. It became a crime to buy or sell Absinthe in the USA although people managed to get Absinthe shipped in to the US from other countries for personal consumption.
Absinthe was never actually banned properly in the US. The law states that beverages must be tested and found to be “thujone free” to be legal to buy but test equipment shows Absinthe to be “thujone free” if it contains 10 parts per million or less of thujone. This law therefore means that many brands of today’s Absinthe are perfectly legal in the US. In 2007 brans such as “Lucid” went on sale in the United States and many more have followed suit.

The EU (European Union) – In 1988 the EU stated that Absinthe with a thujone content of 10mg/kg or less could go on sale and that alcohol classed as bitters could contain up to 35mg/kg of thujone. This was great news for Absinthe lovers in Europe.

Australia – Bitters with a thujone content of up to 35mg/kg are legal and other beverages can contain up to 10mg/kg.

Brazil – Absinthe of up to 10mg/kg thujone and with less than 55% abv can be sold.

Canada – Each Canadian province has its own liquor board with its own legislation concerning Absinthe. Many provinces do not allow any thujone containing alcohol to be sold but Absinthe is legal in British Columbia, where there is no regulation limit, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. Quebec and Ontario legislate that Absinthe with up to 10mg/kg thujone can be legally sold.

Czech Republic – The Czech Republic has always been famous for its Absinthe and its Absinthe bars. Absinthe has always been legal in the Czech Republic.

France – In 1988 a law was passed allowing thujone beverages to be sold if they complied with EU laws and if they were labeled “spiritueux à base de plantes d’absinthe” and not Absinthe. Fenchone, the chemical found in fennel is also regulated in France and beverages are only allowed up to 5mg/liter of fenchone.

Hungary – Absinthe became legal again in 2004.

Israel – Absinthe is legal for sale in Israel.

Ireland – In Ireland, people can order Absinthe from other countries for personal consumption but it is not legal for sale within Ireland.

Netherlands – Absinthe must meet EU requirements.

New Zealand – Absinthe is legal in New Zealand.

Portugal – Absinthe was never illegal in Portugal.

Russia – Absinthe is perfectly legal in Russia and even high thujone Absinthes (up to 75mg/kg thujone) are available.

Serbia – Serbia does not seem to allow Absinthe containing thujone or above 50% abv to be sold.

South Africa – Absinthe has been legal in South Africa since 2005.

Sweden – Absinthe has to be labeled as containing wormwood and must comply with EU legislation.

Switzerland – After over 90 years of being illegal, Absinthe was finally legalized in its home country in 2005.

UK – The UK never banned Absinthe. Absinthe must comply with EU legislation.

You have to be careful ordering Absinthe online because there are many fake Absinthes which were created for sale in countries where thujone containing Absinthe was illegal. In order to experience the real taste of Absinthe, you need to find a good quality wormwood Absinthe or make your own using Absinthe essences from AbsintheKit.com. These essences are made from traditional Absinthe herbs, including wormwood, and are already distilled. When you receive your essence, simply mix with vodka or Everclear – easy! These essences can be shipped world wide and you don’t need to worry “where is Absinthe legal?” because they are not Absinthe until you have made them. Check out the website for details.

Absinthe was banned in many countries in the early 1900s but many of those countries have now repealed their law concerning Absinthe and it is now legal in most countries around the world. In some countries it is still a crime, prosecutable by the police, to make or supply Absinthe and others have thujone regulation.

So, where is Absinthe illegal?

The United States – The law of the USA states that only “thujone free” beverages can be sold in the USA. Fortunately test equipment used in the US allows Absinthe with 10 parts per million or less to pass as “thujone free”. Many suppliers produce Absinthe with low thujone levels and so can sell their Absinthes legally.

France – “Absinthe” or “La Fee Verte” is still illegal in France, only spirits labeled “spiritueux à base de plantes d’absinthe” can be sold. The EU regulates thujone levels and only Absinthes containing 10mg/kg of thujone or less are legal in the EU. France also regulates fenchone levels. Fenchone is a chemical found in fennel. Absinthe producers have to produce low fenchone Absinthes (5mg/kg or less) to sell in France although normal Absinthe can be distilled in France.

The EU (European Union) – only Absinthes or alcohol which contain 10mg/kg or less of thujone can be bought or sold within the EU. “Bitters” can contain up to 35mg/kg of thujone.

Ireland – Absinthe is still illegal in Ireland but it can be shipped from abroad for personal consumption.

Serbia – Alcohol containing thujone is illegal in Serbia.

Why was Absinthe made illegal in the first place?

Absinthe is a strong alcoholic beverage, an intoxicant, which is served in an Absinthe glass and diluted with water which is poured over a cube of sugar on an Absinthe spoon.

Absinthe was thought to be much more than a simple drink, it was thought to be like a drug. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the prohibition movement and medical profession were claiming that thujone, a chemical in wormwood, was similar to THC in cannabis and was psychoactive. They alleged that it caused psychedelic effects and also convulsions, brain damage, insanity and death. It was even claimed that Absinthe was to blame for a man murdering his pregnant wife and children even though he had only consumed two glasses of Absinthe earlier that day, followed by lots of other types of liquor!

Absinthe was banned in 1912 in the USA, 1915 in France and many other countries banned Absinthe at this time. Governments felt that Absinthe was a danger and one French politician famously said “If Absinthe isn’t banned, our country will rapidly become an immense padded cell where half the Frenchmen will be occupied putting straitjackets on the other half.”

However, we now know from research and from tests on Absinthe, that these claims and allegations were just part of the mass hysteria of the time regarding alcohol and the drugs that were freely available. Prohibitionists used Absinthe to fuel their anti-alcohol campaign.

Ted Breaux, an Absinthe distiller, tested vintage Absinthes with gas chromatography tests and, to his surprise, found that Absinthe only contained trace amounts of thujone – not enough to cause hallucinations, never mind causing harm to a person’s health. It would be impossible for anyone to drink enough Absinthe to have any effects from the thujone, they would die of alcohol poisoning first! The only effects you will get from consuming too much Absinthe is a strange “clear headed” drunkenness cause by the mix of herbs, some of which are of a sedative nature and others that are stimulants.

If you have trouble finding genuine Absinthe in your country, then you should consider making your own Absinthe from essences. AbsintheKit.com produce Absinthe essences for the Absinthe industry and for the public. Their essences are already distilled and are made out of top-quality classic Absinthe herbs. They are also very economical because a kit to make 14 bottles of Absinthe only cost $29 and that includes a handy measure and bottle labels too. All you have to do is to mix the essence with vodka or Everclear – easy!

So, don’t worry about where is Absinthe illegal, make your own!

Absinthe became legal in Australia at the end of 2000. It can be bought and sold in Australia as long as it complies with government legislation. The law in Australia says that bitters can contain up to 35mg/kg of thujone and other alcoholic beverages can contain up to 10mg/kg of thujone. Many people have realized that it is legal and want to try the mythical Green Fairy. “Where do I get Absinthe in Australia?” is a very common question in this world of Absinthe revival.

Where Do I Get Absinthe In Australia?

Absinthe is available from many different sources:-

A local liquor shop

You should be able to purchase Absinthe in your local liquor store. Read labels carefully. Genuine Absinthe should have an alcohol by volume content of between 50 and about 75% and it should contain thujone, a chemical found in wormwood. Absinthe is produced in many countries around the world but countries such as France, Switzerland, Spain (Absenta) and the Czech Republic are well known for the quality of their Absinthes.

Australian online websites

– nicks.com.au (Vintage Direct) – This company stock a range of 22 different Absinthes from around the world. Noteworthy Absinthes on their website include Pernod Absinthe, Jade Verte Suisse, Kubler, La Fee Bohemian, La Ptite Douce and Mansinthe by Marilyn Manson.

– Absinthesalon.com.au – This is a company who specialize in selling fine Absinthes online. Absinthes available to order include Duplais Verte, La Ptite Douce, Jade Verte Suisse and Jade Edouard, Mansinthe, Kubler and a few others. They also stock Absinthe glasses, spoons, fountains and when you order they send you some Absinthe chocolate truffles – yum!

– Moulin Rooz – Australia’s own award winning Absinthe is available to order from tamborinemountaindistillery.com.

– eBay – eBay.com.au has Absinthe and Absinthe accessories for sale on its site. “Absinth Shop” sell many brands of Absinthe on eBay including King of Spirits, Fruko, Doubs and Staroplzenecky.

Websites Offering World Wide Shipping

If you cannot find a particular Absinthe in Australia then there are sites based in other countries and you can get your Absinthe shipped from them. Companies who ship world wide include:-

– AbsintheKit.com – You can buy real Absinthe essences from this company to make your very own true wormwood Absinthe. Absinthe essences are very cheap – $3.95 (US dollars) and you can even buy an Absinthe Kit for $29 to make 14 bottles of Absinthe. The kit also contains a measure and 14 artistic bottle labels.

– Thedrinkshop.com – This UK based company ship Absinthe all over the world and stock 32 different types.

– Absinth24.net – This company will ship Absinthes to Australia and stocks a wide variety of Absinthes. This site lists the thujone content of the Absinthes too.

– Absintheclassics.com – This company specializes in selling fine Absinthes such as the Jade Collection, La Clandestine Absinthe, La Ptite, Absinthe Roquette 1797, Doubs, Duplais and many others. They will ship worldwide.

– Alandia.de – Alandia stock a wide variety of Absinthes including Doubs Mystique, Mansinthe, Alandia Epoque, Absinthe Roquette 1797, Francoise Guy, Alandia Suisse La Bleue and many others. They ship to Australia.

When you are buying Absinthe from another country you will need to ensure that it is legal in Australia, otherwise it may be confiscated by customs. Check thujone levels before you order. Absinthe essences do not count as bottled Absinthe.

I hope that this information has helped answer “Where do I get Absinthe in Australia?” and that you enjoy your quest for the perfect Green Fairy drink.