Louching the Green Fairy
Wormwood, hallucinations, and green fairies. No these are not the signs of the apocalypse, but rather the unique properties of an alcohol that has had quite the tumultuous relationship with the Western world. At the height of its existence, absinthe was the drink of choice in France’s Belle Epoque era, which quickly lead it to becoming a widespread phenomenon in the U.S during the late 19th and early 20th century.
As such, distilleries and pharmacies became notoriously loose with their standards and formulations that there were few guarantees as to the purity or potency of the ingredients being used (which may be why it became a menace in society). Purported to pack a narcotic-like punch, the green fairy, as it is better known for its signature coloring, absinthe was said to cause hallucinations, driving drinkers to sheer madness and in one record, was the cause of murder, dubbing it one of the most notorious liquors in history.
Absinthe quickly became the scourge of anti-alcohol forces during the Prohibition Era, who outlawed it in the U.S. Several other European countries followed suit, banning it for its alleged effects on the nervous system. It was only just a few years ago, in 2007, that absinthe was made legal again in the U.S. but has yet to gain the traction it once did in drinking circles as it carries an infamous misconception as one lethal witches’ brew.
For decades people have been tantalized by the tales of its powerful spell but the absinthe of today is no more than one potent alcohol (the alcohol proof roughly ranges from 120 to 150). Infused with a blend of exotic botanicals (including wormwood), absinthe tastes much like anise or licorice with a floral, bittersweet quality. Traditionally, it is infused a second time to intensify the flavor and is where it gets its emerald coloring; however, many producers skip this step and use dyes instead.
Absinthe seemed to get its bad rap from Thujone, the supposed active chemical in the liquor, which in extreme quantities, becomes toxic, and causes excitability, delirium, and seizures. Rest assured, Thujone is banned by the FDA and is filtered out to make absinthe legal for drinking, which begs the question – how is it best consumed? The traditional French preparation is using an absinthe drip called louching. Placing a slotted spoon over a glass, set a cube of sugar on the spoon, and then slowly drip ice water through the sugar into the spirit until it is diluted, turning the absinthe into a cloudy elixir ready to explore. Or for those who like just a little kick, absinthe can be mixed in smaller quantities in a cocktail.
One of the most famous absinthe concoctions is Ernest Hemingway’s “Death in the Afternoon,” mixing absinthe and champagne. This is not the average Mimosa on a Sunday, moderation is key to enjoying any absinthe (some purists say, a departure of any kind is a crime).
Absinthe’s effect is from its high alcohol content countered by the stimulants present in the herbs. As a result, absinthe-induced inebriation is quite different. The most commonly reported experience is a ‘clear-headed’ feeling of inebriation.
Absinthe was very popular among 19th century intellectuals, including an onset of famous bohemians, artists, and writers who were not only drinking the dazzling green liquor daily but also immortalizing it in their works. Mary Shelley wrote most of “Frankenstein” while under the lucid spell of absinthe, Oscar Wilde described the feeling of tulips on his legs after drinking its beverage, and Vincent van Gogh, who was no stranger to consuming ferocious quantities of the spirit, helped popularize the notion that it had powerful psychoactive properties (remember that one time he cut his own ear off?).
From centuries of artists and bohemians, to the present day students and connoisseurs, absinthe’s return to the public has only sparked a new generation of drinkers ready to taste its enchanting elixir. Dare to chase the green fairy? Curiosity seekers can make up their own mind about this once banned alcohol and rediscover why absinthe was the great muse of so many societies throughout history. Cheers!
CC image courtesy of kskull on Flickr
Summary: this drink will give u nightmares for about a week along with hallucinations... so it basicly will mess u up....enough said
