Absinthe making a comeback

People who enjoy exploring interesting and unusual libations inevitably find their way to the spirit know as absinthe, and until relatively recently it was largely unavailable throughout the United States and most of Europe. There is a certain mystique surrounding absinthe, and its allure is all but irresistible to those intrepid imbibers among us. These days absinthe is making a comeback, and more and more people are wondering what it is, how it makes you feel, and where they can get some so they can try it for themselves.

What is Absinthe?

Absinthe is a distilled spirit that is made with a unique mixture of herbs, the result of which is a bright green liquor that seems to glow under the light. (People who drink absinthe tend to glow as well, but that’s another story.) At the foundation of traditional absinthe are what are commonly referred to as “the holy trinity,” namely anise, fennel, and wormwood. Other botanicals that are common to many absinthe recipes include hyssop, angelica, nutmeg, juniper, and lemon balm. Other than alcohol, the compound thujone (which comprises most of the substance of wormwood oils) is said to be the primary psychoactive ingredient in absinthe, but recent studies suggest that the small concentrations of thujone that are present in absinthe may not be enough to have any significant effects.

Effects of Absinthe

The effects of absinthe are controversial and debatable, which is why it went from being introduced as a medicinal cure-all in the late 1700s to an immensely popular French potable by the latter part of the 19th century until it was finally banned in 1915. Absinthe was enjoyed by people of all social classes, and it was particularly popular among artists and intellectuals, including people like Baudelaire, Picasso, Degas, Verlaine, Manet, Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway and others. The hysteria that led to the banning of absinthe was based on the belief that it had a dangerous hallucinogenic effect via the powerful psychoactive properties of thujone. Contemporary research debunks these theories, and the consensus seems to be that absinthe provides a pleasant sense of alcohol inebriation coupled with a heightened sense of alertness and mental acuity.

Where Can I Get Absinthe?

At present, absinthe is available in many liquor stores and bars around the world, including here in the United States. However, you never know exactly what you are getting unless you make it for yourself. There a number of websites that sell kits that provide the ingredients and instructions for making your own absinthe, so if you are interested, do your research online and give it a try. A taste of absinthe would be an interesting addition to your next dinner party!