Due to the legalization of a few brands of Absinthe in 2007 in the United States one can feel an Absinthe revival. Yet, some people don’t really know how to use Absinthe correctly or even what Absinthe is.
What is Absinthe
Absinthe is not a hallucinogen or a drug. It is a strong alcoholic beverage with an alcohol by volume of up to 75% and an anise flavor.
Legend has it that Absinthe was created by Dr Pierre Ordinaire in Couvet, Switzerland in the 18th century as an elixir for his patients. Henri-Louis Pernod was distilling Absinthe and selling it commercially by the turn of the 19th century. Pernod used a wine alcohol base distilled with various types of natural herbs comprising wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), fennel, aniseed, star anise, hyssop, lemon balm, angelica, juniper, dittany, nutmeg and melissa.
The popularity of wine decreased in France in comparison to Absinthe. As the Absinthe bars became famous the “Ritual” or traditional method of using and preparing Absinthe was born.
Absinthe was banned in France in 1915 because of it allegedly dangerous effects. These claims were unreal and now every one knows that. There is no chance of these effects due to Absinthe. Absinthe was authorized in several countries in the 1990s.
How to Use Absinthe the Traditional Way
To prepare Absinthe in the traditional way is to use the “Ritual”.
A person will need:-
– A large glass or Absinthe glass of appropriate size.
– Absinthe
– An Absinthe spoon– replica glasses and spoons can be purchased online at AbsintheKit.The top-quality Absinthe essences are available on the site which can be used to make own Absinthe. Get top-quality Absinthe essences to make your own Absinthe.
– A sugar cube is needed.
– Sufficient amount of carafe of iced water.
One has to pour a shot of Absinthe into the glass.
Place the spoon on the rim of the glass and supply the sugar cube on the spoon.
The sugar can be mixed by dripping slowly the iced water over it.
The Absinthe louche is seen as the water mixes into the Absinthe. The essential oils in the Absinthe are insoluble in water which causes the mixture to louche.
Stir Absinthe to enjoy the taste of the Green Fairy.
Absinthe is a strong drink and one can easily drink it. Absinthe is made out of a curious blend of herbs that are either naturally relaxing in nature or are stimulants. This blend of herbs can give a very different drunkenness than that caused by other spirits or wine or beer. A few people describe it as a “clear headed” drunkenness.
The Czech or Bohemian Method
With this method, once you have poured the shot of Absinthe into the glass you dip the sugar cube into the alcohol and then set it alight on the spoon with a match. Once the sugar has caramelized and melted through the spoon and into the Absinthe, you add the iced water.
One can have fun while drinking Absinthe with the Bohemian method. It can also be slightly dangerous because the whole glass of Absinthe can catch fire, a bit of a waste of Absinthe! It is necessary to take care.
Although the Ritual is the well known method of using Absinthe but cocktail recipes can also be made by it.