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Perhaps no spirit is regarded with more curiosity than absinthe. Take out a bottle of it, and you're met with a litany of questions: Is this the real stuff? Are we legally allowed to drink this? And, most importantly, will we be tripping after a single sip?
To get to the bottom of the anise-flavored alcohol's murky history, we consulted Anne-Louise Marquis, the Brand Ambassador for Pernod Absinthe. Marquis illuminated every aspect of absinthe's timeline, from its illustrious beginning as Hemingway's drink of choice, to the controversy that led to its ban in the States and how that ban was eventually repealed so we could finally (legally) enjoy the emerald spirit once again.
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Is absinthe hallucinogenic?
"Not at all. Absinthe is totally safe for human consumption when enjoyed responsibly. It got a bad rap at the beginning of the 20th century because the wine lobby of France started a highly effective smear campaign against the spirit when they felt that absinthe was threatening their place as the preferred drink of the French. In actuality, absinthe never consisted for more than 5% of the total consumed alcoholic beverages at the time, but its popularity and its notoriety was enough to prompt the wrath of the wine makers. It should also be noted that absinthe is 68% ABV or 136 Proof. Drink enough of any double proof spirit and you will notice some negative effects."
Is absinthe illegal?
"Not anymore. The USDA lifted the ban on absinthe in 2007 when it was concluded that the thujone (the questionable chemical in wormwood, the base plant in absinthe) was not present in levels unsafe for human consumption. Thujone is a common chemical and while it is a neurotoxin in high levels, the amount of Thujoune in absinthe is so low it’s not even listed as present. Thujone levels are even higher in spirits like Chartreuse and Vermouth and, in fact, there is more Thujone in 3 leaves of sage than a whole bottle of absinthe."
But, is it real absinthe?
"Yes, the absinthe you drink today is made the same way, with the same plants as it was before the ban. People like to attach to an idea that absinthe is 'dangerous' and 'illegal' or that it’s not 'real' but in fact, it’s exactly the same."
Where is absinthe made?
"Absinthe is made all around the world. It originated in Switzerland, and was first produced by Pernod Fils in France, but from there, it spread all over the world. The most popular absinthes are made in Switzerland, France, The Czech Republic and, more and more, here in the USA."
What is absinthe made from?
"Absinthe is made from a variety of plants. To be considered absinthe it must contain grande wormwood, a lush green and bitter plant native to parts of Eurasia and North Africa. Once it contains the wormwood, any host of other herbs and spices can be added. Pernod Absinthe is made with grande wormwood, petit wormwood, melissa, hyssop, star anise, and fennel, along with some other secret ingredients known only to the distiller."
Didn’t some famous people drink absinthe?
"Yes, during its heyday absinthe was the preferred spirit of the artistic classes in turn of the century Paris. Painters like Picasso and Van Gogh famously drank it in cafes in the evenings with friends like Toulouse Lautrec. Writers such as Arthur Rimbaud and Charles Baudelaire drank it together many a night, and there are poems to show for it. Oscar Wilde and Edgar Allan Poe were a known absintheurs, and Ernest Hemingway even created the 'Death in the Afternoon,' a mixture of champagne and absinthe to enjoy while watching the running of the bulls in Spain."
How should I drink absinthe?
"Traditionally absinthe is served with 4 parts ice water to 1 part absinthe. If it’s too bitter for you on its own, you can rest a sugar cube on an absinthe spoon (a spoon with holes in it designed for this purpose) over a glass of absinthe and drip cold water over the sugar into the glass slowly. As you add the water you will see the color go from dark green to a beautiful opalescent color. Because absinthe is double proof, don’t hesitate to add about 4 parts water, the flavors will open up for you and you’ll enjoy it all the more."
Can you use absinthe in cocktails?
"Of course! Many of the great American cocktails call for Pernod Absinthe. Drinks like the Sazarac and the Corpse Reviver #2 are classics made memorable with a rinse of absinthe around the inside of the glass. For a modern twist, try the Green Beast: 1 part Pernod Absinthe, 1 part lime juice, 1 part simple syrup (1:1), and 3 parts water. Serve over ice in a tall glass with three cucumber slices."
What’s with the green fairy thing?
"When absinthe was still being used as a medicine, it was so popular and effective as a remedy that it gained the nickname 'the green fairy.' Later, absinthe became popular with the artists of the late 19th century like Van Gogh and Picasso who lauded the spirit and again named it 'the green fairy' for its ability to inspire them to create their art. Since absinthe isn’t hallucinogenic, it’s not so much that the drink would make you see a green fairy, but rather that the drink itself brings the gift of artistic inspiration."
Should absinthe be lit on fire?
"Please don’t! The ritual of lighting absinthe on fire is very new and was developed to distract drinkers from the inferior absinthe they were being served. Although it looks pretty, it’s not the best way to enjoy your absinthe. Light some candles, just don’t light your absinthe."
