Absinthe has once again become a popular drink and, with the legalization of a few brands of Absinthe in 2007 in the United States, it can even be said that we are experiencing 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.

In the 18th century Absinthe was made as a medicine by Dr Pierre Ordinaire of Switzerland for his patients. Henri-Louis Pernod was distilling Absinthe and selling it commercially by the turn of the 19th century. A wine alcohol base distilled with different types of natural herbs including wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium), fennel, aniseed, star anise, hyssop, lemon balm, angelica, juniper, dittany, nutmeg and melissa was used by Pernod.

Absinthe, or La Fee Verte (Green Fairy)as it became known in France, became such a popular drink that it even became more popular than wine in France. Absinthe bars became popular and gave rise to the “Ritual” or traditional procedure of using and preparing Absinthe.

After presuming that Absinthe contained psychoactive chemicals and causes hallucinations, convulsions, insanity and death, the drink was banned in France. These claims were unreal and now every one knows that. Absinthe is not responsible for such effects. Absinthe was given right in many countries during 1990s.

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 of appropriate size.
- 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. Get top-quality Absinthe essences to make your own Absinthe.
- Take a sugar cube.
- Use a carafe of iced water.

A person has to pour a shot of Absinthe into the glass.
The spoon should be kept motionless on the rim of the glass before putting the sugar cube on it.
One has to drop slowly the iced water over the sugar to dissolve it.
Watch the Absinthe louche as the water mixes into the Absinthe. As the essential oils in the Absinthe do not mix in water so the mixture gets cloudy.
Stir Absinthe to enjoy the taste of the Green Fairy.

However Absinthe will not give hallucinations but it is a strong drink and can be consumed easily. Absinthe is made from naturally sedative and stimulants herbs. The drunkness caused by this blend of herbs are different than that caused by other drinks. Some call 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. As the sugar has caramelized and melted from the spoon and into the Absinthe one can add the iced water.

The Bohemian method is a modern method and is a bit of fun really rather than a serious method of drinking Absinthe. It can be risky as the whole glass of Absinthe can catch fire, a bit of a waste of Absinthe! Take care.

Away from the Ritual method one can also search on the Internet for using Absinthe in cocktail recipes.