The Absinthe fairy was used on Absinthe label and posters. Singer Kylie Minogue famously played the Green Fairy in the film Moulin Rouge which was based on the french Bohemian culture of Montmartre in Paris where Absinthe, the Green Fairy, was the favorite drink of artists and writers.

Absinthe Fairy Followers

Famous devotees of La Fee Verte, the Green Fairy, were Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Charles Baudelaire, Paul Gauguin, Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway who created his own Absinthe cocktail “Death in the Afternoon” – a mix of Absinthe and champagne. Writers and artists claimed that Absinthe gave them their genius and their inspiration and many pieces of art of the time feature Absinthe or Absinthe drinkers. The Belle Epoque period of history was the hey day for Absinthe.

Absinthe, also known as Absynthe, is a strong liquor made from herbs and essential oils. Its vital ingredient is the herb wormwood, an extract from the plant wormwood or artemisia absinthium. Wormwood gives Absinthe its characteristic bitter taste and herbs like aniseed, anise and fennel give the spirit its anise flavor.

Thujone, a chemical found in wormwood oil, was thought to be psychoactive and to give psychedelic effects, cause hallucinations and eventually insanity. This combined with the loose morals of the drinkers in Montmartre gave prohibition campaigners ammunition to get Absinthe banned in France in 1915. Buying or selling Absinthe was outlawed. Many other countries also banned it. Spain, where Absinthe was called Absenta, Portugal, the UK and the Czech Republic did not ban the Green Fairy.

Absinthe Fairy and Prohibition

During the prohibition period, distilleries, such as the Pernod Fils distillery, started producing Absinthe substitutes such as Pernod Pastis to market to the people who were missing the anise flavor of Absinthe. Ricard was another Absinthe substitute.

In many countries bootleg absinthe was still distilled and sold and fortunately this has meant that knowledge regarding the distilling of Absinthe has never been lost.

In the 1990s Absinthe was made legal in many countries, although Switzerland, home of Absinthe, had to wait until 2005 for legalization. You can now buy Absinthe and Absinthe essence kits online along with Absinthiana such as glasses, spoons and fountains. Drinking Absinthe out of a special antique or replica glass with a proper spoon really adds to the Absinthe preparation ritual.

Absinthe was legalized because studies showed that the liquor only contained minute quantities of thujone and that it was just as safe as drinking other strong spirits. Absinthe is much higher in alcohol than other spirits such as whisky and vodka but was never designed to drink neat. It should be mixed with iced water which allows you to enjoy La Louche – the clouding that happens when the water mixes with the alcohol.

You can order real wormwood Absinthe from many websites and essences to make your own bottled Absinthe are available from AbsintheKit.com.

Absinthe effects are infamous. Absinthe is known throughout the world for its colorful history and the mysterious myths that surround it.

Absinthe was created in Switzerland in the 18th century as an elixir or tonic. Its main ingredient, the herb wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), has been used in medicine since ancient times in the following ways:-
– As a tonic
– To counteract poisoning caused by hemlock and toadstools
– To stimulate digestion
– To treat parasitic intestinal worms.

Absinthe started to be distilled and sold by Pernod at the turn of the 19th century and became famous in La Belle Epoque period and linked with the Bohemian culture of the Montmartre area of Paris – home to many artists and writers. Many famous artists and writers including Van Gogh, Verlaine, Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde and Hemingway relied on the effects of Absinthe saying that it freed their minds and inspired them. Some say that Van Gogh cut off his ear while under the influence of the Green Fairy, Absinthe.

Many people began to think that Absinthe was harmful, claiming that it was psychoactive, an hallucinogen, that it had psychedelic and intoxicating effects and could cause violence and insanity. It was even alleged that a French man had murdered his whole family after drinking Absinthe. In fact, he had consumed a vast amount of other alcoholic beverages after drinking the Absinthe.

The Absinthe effects were blamed on the wormwood extract in the drink which contained a chemical called thujone. Thujone had similarities with TCH, found in the drug cannabis. Absinthe was banned and made illegal in France in 1915 and im many other countries at around the same time. Interestingly, it was never banned in Spain, Portugal, the UK or the Czech Republic.

Many people researched thujone and Absinthe and it was found that drinking Absinthe was just as safe as drinking any strong spirits, and liquor with a high alcohol by volume, and that Absinthe contained only very minute quantities of thujone. Absinthe was, therefore, made legal again in many countries in the 1990s. EU legislation means that bottled Absinthe can only be sold if it contains 10mg/kg or less of thujone and US law only allows the sale of Absinthe with trace amounts of thujone.

The Absinthe ban meant that many new Absinthe-like products had been created to replace Absinthe, such as Pernod Pastis which satisfied people’s appetite for an anise flavored alcoholic beverage. These beverages are still available along with artificial Absinthes which have been created for the US market. If you want real Absinthe you need an Absinthe which contains the vital ingredient, wormwood, which gives Absinthe it’s characteristic bitter flavor. Look for Absinthes which contain real wormwood or buy Absinthe essences which contain wormwood and which can be mixed with vodka or Everclear to produce your very own bottled Absinthe. These essences are used by the Absinthe industry and can be bought online through sites like AbsintheKit.com. They come with instructions on how to use them and are to be used with your Absinthe spoon and glass.

You only need to worry about Absinthe effects if you are going to consume a significant amount of Absinthe. Remember that Absinthe is twice as strong as whisky and drink it in moderation!

Absinthe drink is one of the most famous alcoholic drinks, or spirits, in the world. Famously banned in 1915 due to its cannabis like psychedelic effects on the brain, its alleged addictive quality and its high alcohol content, it was reviewed for safety in the 1990s and found safe for sale and the ban was lifted in most European countries.

There are many different spellings of the word Absinthe – Absinthe, Absinth, Absynthe and Absenta. Central Europeans often spell it “Absinth” without the “e”. The word Absinthe comes from the Latin “absinthium” the name for wormwood, one of its main ingredients. “Absinthiana” is the word describing the objects used in the preparation of Absinthe – the Absinthe glasses , Absinthe spoon, carafe, fountain and brouilleur. There are many Absinthiana antiques available on the market and there are collectors who specialize in Absinthiana.

Absinthe is a liquor made from herbs including wormwood (artemisia absinthium), anise, fennel and star anise. The chemical thujone, from the wormwood, was thought to be responsible for the psychedelic effects of Absinthe. Absinthe has been famously blamed for Van Gogh’s madness and his act of cutting off his ear. However, Absinthe is just as safe as drinking any strong liquor like whisky or vodka, and has not been found to have any psychedelic or hallucinogenic effects.

Absinthe Drink is nicknamed “The Green Fairy” because of its striking emerald green color and is renowned for being the favored beverage of Bohemian Parisian society, the artistic set. Many famous artists and writers were fans of the Green Fairy – Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway. Absinthe has even featured in the paintings of Van Gogh and Picasso. Hemingway famously invented a cocktail recipe he called “Death in the Afternoon” which was a mix of Absinthe and champagne – delicious!

Absinthe Drink Preparation Instructions

– Pour Absinthe into an Absinthe glass.
– Rest a special Absinthe slotted spoon, like those available online from AbsintheKit.com, on the glass and put a sugar cube on it.
– Pour ice cold water over the sugar. The drink will louche or become cloudy as the water mixes with the Absinthe.
– Enjoy drinking your Absinthe, the famous drink of fairies!

There are also many cocktails recipes which use Absinthe such as the “Moulin Rouge” which is a mix of Absinthe, Archers and Grenadine.

Absinthe louches, becomes cloudy, because of its natural oil content. The oils from the herbs in the Absinthe are not water soluble and so make the drink cloudy when the water is added. These herbal oils give Absinthe its famous milky appearance and, of course, its wonderful taste.

Absinthe Today

Absinthe drink is available from many different manufacturers and in many different types. You can even order Absinthe essence online. This essence which is available from companies like AbsintheKit.com is great because one 280ml bottle of essence makes 14 bottles of Absinthe – a brilliant economy. A measure and artistic bottle labels are also provided. You can also buy lovely Absinthe spoons and glasses to help you make the perfect Absinthe drink.
Enjoy your Absinthe the traditional way or search online for Absinthe cocktail recipes.

There are many modern Absinthe classics available to buy. These Absinthes are premium Absinthes which are modeled on the vintage Absinthes, the Green Fairy, from the 18th and 19th centuries. Modern distillers use recipes from history or they have analyzed vintage Absinthes to ensure that they use the correct herbs and quantities.

Real Absinthe contains Artemisia Absinthium, common wormwood, which contains the chemical thujone, along with other herbs and essential oils which cause the drink to louche when water is added.

Here are some modern Absinthe classics:-

– Saint George Spirits make an Absinthe which is made from brandy and herbs including wormwood, star anise, fennel, lemon balm, tarragon, mint, hyssop, basil, meadowsweet and nettles. Their Absinthe is called “St George Spirits Absinthe Verte” – a green Absinthe which is legal in the USA.

– The Jade Absinthe Collection from the Combier distillery in Saumur, France – Ted Breaux from New Orleans, USA, has developed this collection of vintage style Absinthes by testing and analyzing bottles of real vinatge Absinthe. The combier distillery uses 19th century alambics rescued from the Pernod Fils distillery to make these Absinthes. The Jade collection includes a classic Pernod Fils style Absinthe, a green Swiss style Absinthe, a clear La Bleue style Absinthe, a New Orleans style Absinthe and an Edouard Pernod inspired Absinthe. These Absinthes are all handcrafted and have won many awards.

– Doubs Mystique “Carte d’Or Absinthe” – This fine Absinthe is distilled in Pontarlier, France using 19th century alambics. Pontarlier is the French home of Absinthe, where Pernod Fils first produced it at the turn of the 19th century. This is an Absinthe which uses traditional methods and ingredients but with a modern twist to suit the palates of today’s generation of Absinthe drinkers.

– Absinthe Roquette 1797 – Named after the horse of the legendary creator of Absinthe, Dr Pierre Ordinaire, this Absinthe is based on an original recipe of the 18th century. It is an attempt to recreate the real true Absinthe and contains the key ingredients of grande wormwood, anise and fennel, and is distilled in 19th century alambics in Pontarlier.

– Absinthe Duplais – This was the first verte (green) Absinthe to be legalized in Switzerland and is based on the 19th century Swiss protocols from a manual by P.Duplais. This Absinthe is distilled in Switzerland, home of Absinthe, at the Kallnacher distillery.

– Absinthe Brevans – Also from the Kallnacher distillery, this Absinthe is named after another French Absinthe manual writer. It is based on a recipe from 1897 and its base is a mixture of wine and marc. Marc is the alcohol from fermented pulp which is left after squeezing out the grape juice. Absinthe Brevans contains the herbs and plants used in historical Absinthe production.

– La Ptite Absinthe – This is a traditional Swiss La Bleue from Guadentia Persoz, a distiller in Couvet, Switzerland – home of the legendary Dr Pierre Ordinaire. This clear Absinthe is based on a recipe from 1898 which includes 12 herbs. Gaudentia found this recipe along with an alambic when she moved into her house in Couvet – what a find!

Absinthe Clandestine – This is also a La Bleue clear Absinthe distilled in Couvet by Claude-Alain Bugnon who made bootleg Absinthe before legalization in Switzerland. This Absinthe is based on traditional La Bleue recipes and is made using the typical herbs of wormwood and anise along with alpine herbs and plants.

Ways to make Absinthe Classics

It is possible to make your own traditional style Absinthe using Absinthe essences which are used by distillers in the Absinthe industry. These Absinthe essences are available from AbsintheKit.com. These are the essences that are available to purchase online:-

– Absinthe Classics – A 280ml bottle of this essence makes 14 bottles of classic green Absinthe containing the all important wormwood.

– Absinthe White – This makes 14 bottles of clear La Bleue style Absinthe.

– Absinthe Orange – This makes 14 bottles of an Absinthe which has a delicate orange flavor from real orange oil.

– Absinthe 55 – This essence makes a stronger Absinthe containing 55mg of thujone and so a more bitter taste.

All the essences are made using traditional ingredients and are distilled using carbon dioxide distillation to give a top-quality essence. The essences are also available in an Absinthe kit which contains a measure and bottle labels.

These essences allow you to make Absinthe classics economically and with a real vintage taste.

The best Absinthe buy on the market, in my opinion, is the Absinthe Classics Essence Kit from the online shop of AbsintheKit.com. This top-quality Absinthe making kit includes 280ml of Absinthe Classic Essence, a measure and 14 bottle labels. The essence is enough to make 14 bottles of original Absinthe and contains real wormwood, the vital ingredient of real traditional Absinthe. This essence will make an Absinthe with a thujone content of 35mg per 750ml of Absinthe alcohol.

How Do AbsintheKit Essences Work?

To make the Green Fairy with the number one selling Absinthe 35 Classics Essence from AbsintheKit you need to follow this recipe:-
– Mix 20ml of the Absinthe 35 essence with 730ml of neutral alcohol such as vodka or Everclear.
– Add 50-75g of sugar if you want a smoother Absinthe.
– Bottle your Absinthe and enjoy your real wormwood Absinthe liquor.

AbsintheKit also do many other essences:-

– Absinthe White Essence – Use this to make your very own La Bleue Swiss style Absinthe which is clear.

– Absinthe Orange Essence – This contains orange oil for that lovely orange taste in your Absinthe.

– Absinthe 55 Strong Essence – This will make an Absinthe with a strong taste and a dark green color. It will taste more bitter than the other essences because it contains more wormwood, the herb which gives Absinthe its characteristic bitterness. The thujone content per bottle will be 55mg – a very strong Absinthe.

AbsintheKit only sell essences containing real, genuine wormwood, artemisia absinthium. There are many fake and artificial Absinthes for sale online targeted at the USA (United States) market. Thujon is strictly regulated in the US and bottled Absinthe can only contain trace amounts of thujone. Thujone is the chemical found in wormwood and Absinthe just isn’t Absinthe without wormwood!

The essences also contain the other important Absinthe herbs like aniseed and are made by carbon dioxide distillation, a high tech method better than some methods distilleries use.

All these essences are available to order online from AbsintheKit.com and will come with full recipes or instructions. Other Absinthe products, or Absinthiana, can be purchased online at AbsintheKit.com – replica Absinthe spoons and glasses. A replica spoon makes a great Absinthe buy!

Absinthe is a magical mythical drink which was popular in the French Belle Epoque period and the favorite drink of many Bohemian artists and writers including Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Charles Baudelaire and Oscar Wilde. The famous French Absinthe was made by the Pernod Fils distillery until Absinthe was banned in 1915. Absinthe had a revival in the 1990s when it was legalized in most countries, and has become a popular drink again. Care must be taken when drinking the Green Fairy because it is highly alcoholic and approximately twice the strength of spirits such as whisky and vodka.

The Absinthe Ritual

The preparation of Absinthe is called the Ritual. Once you have made your own bottled Absinthe you then need to prepare your Absinthe drink. You will need:-
– An Absinthe glass.
– An Absinthe spoon.
– A cube of sugar.
– Some iced water.

Pour a shot of Absinthe (about 25-50ml) into your Absinthe glass.
Place a cube of sugar on your absinthe spoon and rest on top of your glass.
Pour iced water slowly over the sugar and watch the Absinthe louche. It is best if your pouring is more of a dripping action.

The best Absinthe buy is either a real bottled Absinthe containing real wormwood or an essence to make your own Absinthe.

Absinthe was made legal in most countries in the 1990s so there are now many online companies where you can buy your Absinthe bottle and there are many brands available. Drinkshop.com, for example, in their online store, sell 4 brands from the Czech Republic, 14 from France, 6 from Italy, 1 from Slovenia, 3 from Spain and 3 from Switzerland – a wide variety.

Another way of buying Absinthe is to buy Absinthe essences and make your own Absinthe bottle. These essences are the very same essences used by some distilleries and you simply follow the instructions and add them to vodka or Everclear – a fantastically economical way to make your own personal, original and traditional Absinthe. These essences are available at the online shop AbsintheKit.com as well as Absinthiana, other Absinthe accoutrements or products, such as Absinthe glasses, spoons and artistic labels inspired by Van Gogh and La Fee Verte (Green Fairy) to make your bottles look attractive and original. A bottle of your very own Absinthe would make the perfect gift, no contest.

Many people still speak out against the legalization of Absinthe. One French anti-alcohol campaigner even claimed that if Absinthe was legalized in France then the country would become one big padded cell! Why do people feel this way about Absinthe?

The Absinthe Ban

Absinthe was the favorite drink of many artists and writers of the Bohemian period or “La Belle Epoque” in Paris, France. Famous Absinthe drinkers living in the Montmartre area of Paris, home to the infamous Moulin Rouge, were Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Verlaine and Charles Baudelaire. Other famous Absinthe devotees were Ernest Hemingway, who drank it with champagne, and Oscar Wilde. Artists, poets and writers declared that Absinthe gave them genius and talent and that it freed their senses. Others believed that it was akin to taking drugs, that it was psychoactive, an hallucinogen and that it caused psychedelic effects. Absinthe was even blamed for a french man murdering his family, despite the fact that he was an alcoholic who had consumed far more other alcohol than Absinthe.

The alleged negative effects of Absinthe drinking caused it to be banned in France in 1915 and also in various other countries around the world. It was never banned in Spain, Portugal, the UK and the Czech Republic.

Studies have shown that Absinthe is not as dangerous as once thought, that it only contains minute amounts of thujone (the chemical thought to cause the dangerous effects) but that it should be consumed with care because it is very strong – twice the alcohol of whisky and vodka.

Absinthe Memorabilia

The legends surrounding Absinthe and its interesting history have meant that original items such as the Absinthe bottle, Absinthe glasses, spoons, fountains, brouillers and posters have become highly collectible antiques.

Marie Claude Delahay, a researcher and historian of Absinthe has written books about Absinthe and has even opened an Absinthe museum in Auvers-sur-Oise. Her spoons have been used in films such as Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula!
A famous antique spoon is the spoon which was designed to commemorate the opening of the Eiffel Tower in 1889 – the spoon is in the shape of this famous Parisian icon!

There are many types of Absinthe glass too – the Reservoir, the Cordon, which is the rarest, and the Pontarlier are the most collectible as they were used exclusively for Absinthe and not used for other beverages.

If you like the look of these antique spoons and glasses, but not the prices, then replicas are available from companies like AbsintheKit.com and you can always visit Delahay’s museum north of Paris to see the real items.

The original Absinthe bottle, like the Pernod bottle, can also be seen at museums such as Delahay’s or bought online.

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.

No drink in the history of mankind has been so vilified as absinthe. Absinthe has been shrouded in mystery mainly because of the wormwood component that is necessary to make absinthe. Absinthe, one of the finest of liquors ever made had been wrongfully banned for almost a century, is making a grand comeback in many European countries as more and more governments are once again legalizing absinthe. Recent new discoveries have proved rather conclusively that absinthe does not contain harmful levels of thujone.

Absinthe is made from several herbs, the main herbs being wormwood or Artemisia absinthium, anise, and fennel these three herbs are the primary herbs and are also referred as the “holy trinity”. A second group of herbs are used for enhancing absinthe’s taste and the last group of herbs is used for aroma and flavor. The taste enhancing herbs include calamus, hyssop, star anise, angelica and coriander. Herbs such as Roman wormwood, Melissa, Roman chamomile, veronica, and mint are used for adding color, aroma, and flavor.

Of all the herbs the most important is wormwood or grande wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). Wormwood is the main constituent in absinthe that very much defines absinthe. It is bitter to taste and contains a chemical compound thujone, thujone is believed to be responsible for absinthe’s unique effects.

Wormwood is native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and Asia; however, it also grows in many parts of North America. Wormwood grown from the alpine slopes is considered to be the best. Ideally, the wormwood plant is harvested just before flowering as the thujone content in the plant is the highest at this time. Wormwood is known for its medicinal properties and has been used to treat several gastrointestinal ailments since ancient times. The wormwood plant was also used to stimulate appetite.

A French doctor Dr. Pierre Ordinaire invented absinthe as a digestive tonic in the late eighteenth century. Absinthe had high alcohol content and soon became the favorite drink of Europeans. One of the reasons for its popularity was that it offered drinkers a clear headed inebriation unlike any other drink at that time. It was a very popular drink amongst writers and artists. However, due to some unsubstantiated rumors and misconceptions, prevalent during the temperance movement in Europe, absinthe was banned by most countries in Western Europe.

In the last decade of the twentieth century several studies conducted by various scientists conclusively proved that the thujone content in pre-ban absinthe was within tolerable limits. Since then several countries have legalized absinthe and it is now freely available in most European countries. The United States continues to ban absinthe and deprive its citizens the pleasure of tasting this fine liquor.

Fortunately for American citizens possession and consumption of absinthe is not a crime. US citizens can buy absinthe online from non-US manufacturers. The easiest way is to buy absinthe kits or absinthe essence online and prepare their very own absinthe. Absinthe accessories like absinthe glasses, spoons, absinthe fountains, and labels are also in great demand due to their historical significance.

Absinthekit.com is the best place on the net where you can get great deals on genuine absinthe essence, absinthe kits, and other absinthe accessories.

Absinthe the beloved drink of artists, intellectuals, and writers of nineteenth century Europe has made a terrific comeback as most countries in the Western World have now legalized the production and sale of absinthe. No drink in the history of modern man has received as many sobriquets as absinthe has. “The Green Fairy”, the “Green Muse” and “La Fee Verte” these are just a few sobriquets that this legendary yet controversial drink has been the recipient of.

Absinthe was the most popular drink of the nineteenth century Europe and had gained substantial following in the United States as well. It was invented by the French doctor Dr. Pierre Ordinaire in 1792 in Switzerland and was initially used to treat various stomach ailments. Absinthe had very high alcohol content and contained extracts of several herbs like wormwood, anise, fennel, hyssop, angelica root, veronica, mint, coriander, calamus, star anise, and many other. The main ingredient was the herb wormwood; wormwood contains thujone a chemical that has mild toxic properties. Absinthe soon became a famous alcoholic beverage and separate distilleries were set up in France and other parts of Europe to distill this fine liquor. However, due to its high alcohol content and supposed unique effects, absinthe soon got a bad name. There was a massive campaign carried out during the temperance movement in Europe, and absinthe was so demonized that ultimately by the beginning of the twentieth century it was banned by most countries in Europe and United States. Thujone was blamed for absinthe effects such as insanity, hallucinations, and absinthism. Most countries passed laws that categorized absinthe as a psychoactive substance.

Fortunately in the last few years of the twentieth century, new research conducted by scientists using modern analytical tools conclusively proved that absinthe does not contain harmful levels of thujone. In the light of such new discoveries most European countries lifted the ban imposed on absinthe. Absinthe continues to be illegal in the United States and it is a crime to produce and sell absinthe with thujone content more than 10 parts per million. However, possession of absinthe is not a crime in the US.

United States permits the sale of two absinthes Lucid and Kubler, both absinthes are made using the traditional absinthe recipe and contain very little thujone. These absinthes have a high alcohol content and thujone level of 10 parts per million; however, this cannot be considered as true absinthe due to its low thujone content. These absinthe also come with a heavy price tag and a bottle would cost anywhere from $75 to $100. American absinthes are actually watered down versions of genuine Swiss and other European absinthes.

Americans who want to try genuine absinthe have an easier option of buying absinthe online from non-US producers; however, you will have to find a real good supplier who will deliver as promised. The best bet American citizens have is to buy genuine high quality absinthe essence and prepare their very own absinthe at home. Absinthe essence is prepared using traditional absinthe recipes. 20ml of absinthe essence when mixed with 730 ml of vodka or Everclear will make 750 ml of high quality absinthe.

There are several websites selling absinthe kits and essence on the internet. The most trusted name is absinthekit.com; absinthekit.com specializes in absinthe essence, absinthe kits, absinthe artifacts such as spoons, glasses, absinthe labels, and other absinthe accessories.

Here is some genuine absinthe information for those who have still not tasted absinthe or want to know more about absinthe before reaching out for a glass of the “Green Fairy”. Absinthe is an emerald green drink that is made from extracts of various herbs such as Artemisia absinthium or wormwood, fennel, anise, hyssop, angelica root, veronica, nutmeg, coriander, cardamom, sage, etc. Absinthe is very bitter due to the presence of absinthin present in wormwood.

Absinthe was the most popular drink in Europe in the nineteenth century and it was especially popular amongst artists and writers. Some of the famous personalities included Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemmingway. It was widely believed to be a creative stimulant and was thus preferred by those involved in art and culture.

Absinthe is famous for its unique effects; some have described the effects as hallucinogenic while others describe an overwhelming sense of euphoria after drinking a few glasses of absinthe. What is known is that absinthe is a drink with high alcohol content. Absinthe contains a substance called thujone. Thujone is present in wormwood and is considered to be toxic in its pure form. Thujone is a monoterpene and causes convulsions when taken in high quantities. What action thujone has on the human brain is still not known; however, its chemical structure closely resembles to THC or tetrahydrocannabinol which is the active ingredient in marijuana. This close semblance to THC led many to hypothesize that thujone has similar effects as marijuana.

Absinthe’s effects can be termed mild when compared to the effects of other drugs such as heroin, ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, and cannabis. The effects can at best be compared to what an individual would experience if he or she had several shots of liquor, smoked a joint and ate a mushroom cap all at the same time. Due to the high alcohol content in absinthe the person is bound to feel drunk but this inebriation will be clearheaded and the person will feel warm, relaxed and have a slight narcotic buzz.

Thankfully recent studies have found that thujone content in absinthe is not abnormally high. This has resulted in most European countries lifting the ban imposed on absinthe at the turn of the twentieth century. Absinthe is once again legal in most parts of Europe; however, in the united states it is still illegal to produce and sell absinthe with a thujone content of more than 10 parts per million. The best part is that possession and consumption of absinthe is not illegal and you are permitted to drink absinthe if you can lay your hands on a genuine bottle of absinthe.

US citizens can purchase absinthe essence or absinthe kits online from non-US manufacturers and have a date with the “Green Fairy”.

To order your very own genuine absinthe essence, absinthe kits and other absinthe accessories visit absinthekit.com.