Absinthe was invented in 1797 by Dr. Pierre Ordinaire.
By the 1800's it quickly became one of Europe's most popular spirited drinks. France led the way and it was referred to as La fée verte (the green fairy). Authors and artists such as Van Gogh were proponents for using it to induce creativity and its popularity soared. It is an emerald green alcoholic drink that contains a reportedly psychoactive chemical derived from the herb Artemisia Absinthium commonly known as wormwood). It is very bitter and is therefore traditionally poured over a perforated spoonful of sugar into a glass of water.
At the turn of the century prohibition swept across Europe, people made claims that chronic use of absinthe was believed to produce a syndrome, called absinthism, which was characterized by addiction, hyperexcitability, and hallucinations. This combined with pressure from wine makers ended the traditional production of this fabled drink.
Today absinthe is legal again in many countries in Europe but is not the same due to restrictions placed on wormwood content by the EU. In the US it is not considered a drug or controlled substance but the sale of the finished product is restricted by laws put in place by the FDA. Our kit gives the consumer a legal means to aquire the same ingredients used to make absinthe as it was in the 1800's. Absinthe is a fascinating beverage that has a rich history of art, class and mystique.
TO DRINK ABSINTHE
Traditional Absinthe is considered bitter and strong and this will be too. So it is traditionally diluted with cold water and sugar. Generally you dilute 1 part absinthe with 5 parts water.
The French method is as follows.
1. Poor one shot (approx 1 oz) Absinthe into a glass.
2. Then place a perforated Absinthe spoon over the glass.
3. Place a few sugar cubes on the spoon
4. Very slowly poor or drip ice cold water (approx 5 oz) over the cubes so that they melt into the glass.
5. Once glass is full mix with spoon.
6. Enjoy!
If you have been to Europe recently then perhaps you have done a shot in a bar. The modern bohemeian method is much different. The modern absinthe does not need to be diluted, they will often give you a spoon full of sugar. You then slowly dunk the spoon into the shot to saturate the sugar, then place on the glass and light with a flame. This makes for a nice effect and allows the sugar to melt. Once it has caramelized you blow it out, mix it in the shot and drink. (This method can be very dangerous due to the high flammability of alcohol, DON’T BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN)
