The legalization of a few brands of Absinthe in 2007 in the United States makes the people to experience 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.
According to the legend Absinthe was created by Dr Pierre Ordinaire in Couvet, Switzerland in the 18th century as a tonic 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 variety of natural herbs and also fennel, aniseed, star anise,wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), 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. Absinthe cannot and does not give rise to such effects. During 1990s Absinthe was legalized in several countries.
How to Use Absinthe the Traditional Way
To prepare Absinthe in the traditional way is to use the “Ritual”.
The requirement is:-
– A large glass or Absinthe glass is needed.
– Absinthe
– An Absinthe spoon– replica glasses and spoons can be purchased online at AbsintheKit.AbsintheKit.com makes a person available with top-quality Absinthe essences which he can use to prepare his own Absinthe. To prepare own Absinthe a person will require top-quality Absinthe essences.
– One has to use a sugar cube.
– Use a carafe of iced water.
Take a amount of Absinthe into the glass.
Rest the spoon on the rim of the glass and put the sugar cube on the spoon.
Gradually drip the iced water over the sugar to make it soluble.
One can see the Absinthe louche as the water mixes into the Absinthe. Because of insolubility of the essential oils in the water the mixture gets cloudy.
The taste of the Green Fairy can be enjoyed by the stirring the Absinthe.
It is very easy to get drunk on Absinthe though it does not give hallucinations. 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. Some 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. After the caramelization and melting of sugar the iced water van be added into the Absinthe.
One can have fun while drinking Absinthe with the Bohemian method. There are some risks as the fire can catch the whole Absinthe glass! Care should be taken.
Although the Ritual is the well known method of using Absinthe but cocktail recipes can also be made by it.