Well, I just bought some Absinthe. Right off the shelf here in sunny Alberta. I have never seen it before and I even thought it was illegal but I guess not… it ain’t cheap though. I understand it isn’t the same stuff that made people go “nuts” in the 1800s but I still want to give it a try.
Incase anyone is curious, here is what the label says about it:
*
Imported from the Czech Republic by Hill’s Liquere North America.
A triple distilled spirit made from Alcohol, water, sugar, herbs, herbal extracts, colour.
*
It also mentions on the label that it contains wormwood.
Its a pretty pale emerald color… I think I’ll just stare at at for a while until I decide to open it.
Anyhow, what in the hell is the proper way to drink this stuff?
It says something on the back about in Prague the way they drink it is by dipping a spoon of sugar in it and burning it until carmelized and then stirred in the glass and doused with an equal amount of water. Kind of like in that “To Hell” movie, but I don’t recall Johnny Depp using water. Is this the best way? Can someone recomend something different? I wanna give a bit a try tonight but as it is a worknight I can’t over indulge.
I’m surprised it contains wormwood extract because I had thought that WAS the thing that makes you “go nuts”. Of course, you can get a version of it here in the US too. Every time I have seen one of the bottles, it has come with a stainless steel metal piece attached that looks like a mini-cheese grater.
It is my understanding you place the grater over a glass and place a sugar cube on top, then pour the liquor on the cube which flows into the glass.
I’ve never tried it because I don’t like the taste of black licorice, but if that’s your thing then …“go nuts”
Mods - I just did a search and noticed that many past threads were closed as it is illegal in the US… of course you can close this thread if you see fit but I am posting from the North and it is legal here… but of course it’s up to you
There are really two ways of doing this, at least in my experience. Both are quite similar. Method A, my perferred choice, is to fill a widemouth wineglass (or brandy glass, maybe) halfway, put a sugar cube on the fork thingie (it’s called a spoon, but whatever, let’s just say utensil) so put the cube on the utensil, dip the sugar into the absinthe until saturated, set the utensil across the rim, light the cube on fire, gaze with awe and trepidation, and when half to most of the sugar is melted, dunk the utensil into the glass, give it a good stir, knock it back, and repeat as necessary. Side effects may include a warm feeling, general happiness, boxing with stray dogs, and run-on sentances (usually with a parenthesis or two). Method B is exactly like Method A, except that after half to most of the sugar is melted, gently pour water over the sugar to fill the remaining volume off the glass, stir, and drink leisurely. Method B tends to be the choice of nervous tourists. Enjoy!
While you are quite correct in that aspect, I have also been told that Hill’s has the most true-to-original flavour, regardless of the level of thujone. So perhaps it’s still a good experience.
Hills, from what I have gleaned, is a decent Absinthe, althugh it is towards the bottom of the rungs of what can be had. The fact that it is Czech is never a good sign.
1- Pour your absinthe into a glass. About a shot glass, or more.
2- Get 5x the amount of absinthe in water, in a seperate container.
3- obtain a sugar cube. there are brands of sugarcubes that are better for this than the ones we use here in the states. Barring that, dissolve the sugar in your water before hand.
4- a-drip the water, slowly, over your cube, allowing the sugar water to drip into the Absinthe. Watch it louche (that process where it gets cloudy).
4- b-drip the pre-sugared water directly into your absinthe.
5- Sip and enjoy.
It is my understanding that Hill’s is an Absinthe that requires sugar. There are several Spanish brands that don’t require it (Serpsis being the primary).
The fire thing is a myth, made large by the movie. A few might have done such a thing, but to do so would burn the alcohol and that seems rather counter-productive.
As for the thujone, well, nobody knows for sure how much thujone was in the “period” absinthes and pernods, but it is generally thought to be significantly higher than the modern brands.
hmmmmm… I think I’ll go to a liqour store this weekend. I had been saving up to buy mine, but if Hills is available state-side, I may be in luck.
Started off with beer after work. Then I made one of my famous Grilled Chicken Caesar salads and a bottle of Riesling Wine. Mrs. Bernse and I enjoyed that very much. I then had a couple of beer, and I summoned the courage to have some Absinth. I tried it like it says on the bottle… sugar/flame/water. I’d say had about 2 ounces or so… tastes like crap with a capital “C”. Had a beer to wash the flavor out.
Got invited over to the neighbors for a drink (his birthday). Of course, I brough 'ol greeny over for the bday boy. He thought it tasted like crap too. Gave a shot to an older fellow (a cop as well) that likes his booze… tasted like crap in his opinion too. So, I had a beer… then decided I’d try some Absinthe again to see if it got any better… this time straight, no water or sugar. Still tasted pretty bad. Had to wash the taste out of my mouth with 2 beer.
This morning, while slightly hungover, I have the most bloodshot eyes I have ever had or seen anyone with. I want to go home and sleep in my nice cool basement now.
To answer a couple questions:
Tristan - the hills website says it is illegal in the US, so I doubt you’ll have much luck finding it in the US. www.hillsabsinth.com
rivit - Well, a corner liquor store. It is a pretty good one (good selection). I wouldn’t be suprised if it is the only one in the area that sells it.
You might soon be seeing a few Nevadans posting that question. Legalization for under 3 grams just got on the ballet for the next election, and indications are it might actually pass into law.
Sorry for hijack.
And Bernse…your experiences are hardly a ringing endorsement for the product, although most things I had read about it said it was an aquired taste - but I think I’ll pass.
Thanks for being our Guinea Pig…
I’ve got a 30 year old bottle of Ripple in my closet. I was wondering if it tasted any better with age. Shall I send it up to ya?
Are we sure that it is illegal in the states? I went to www.absinth.com and they are based out of NY, NY. There wasn’t a mention anywhere on their website of it being illegal to sell to people in the states.
They have a couple brands that have 100mg/kg of thujon but good lord is the price high. Seemed to range from $150-$215 a bottle.
Loving but careful Absinthe drinker as I am I might recommend some care at enjoying the product in question. Although it is still contested how dangerous thujone actually is, I have in the past noted that regular consumption of the green fairy even in relatively moderate amounts leads to some strange effects on the mood curve. I wouldn’t worry if it’s Hill’s though since it’s pretty week on wormwood as previously noted.
Contrary to prviously posted opinion I say avoid the Spanish brands and the new French ones, you might just as well drink Pastis. Go with Czech or Portuguese stuff if you want to stick as close as possible to the original stuff (although Hill’s is by far not in the top rungs). In most of the EU, the thujone level is unfortunately regulated and for the real McCoy one must travel to Prague or Lisbon.
All that being said I thought I might share another recipe for it’s intake. (I prefer it the classical way with sugar and water, bur then I am a little bit of a purist).
This was one of Lautrec’s favorite cocktail back in the day - he is even attributed its invention. It’s called ‘the ladies special’.
In a champagne glass
1 part Absinthe
1 part Cognac
2 parts Champagne
Serve chilled but without ice. To be drank with some moderation
Highly recommended when entertaining someone or other with romantic intent.
Well, according the US government, it is. This is the best I could find with my limited searching abilities for a cite.
My guess is that the bottles on that site are shipped from Europe as the shipping charges are actually cheaper for sending it to Europe as opposed to the Americas.
So, you pay your $200 and take your chances. Maybe customs will/will not intercept it. I doubt you’d get any money back if it doesn’t make it though.
Looking at that website though, they sure have some mighty strong products… stronger than I think is legal even in the EU. I have no idea what the max allowable amount of Thujone in Canada is though. I think it is 10mg in the UK, so I would suspect we’d be similar here.
