There has been much controversy regarding the thujone levels in Absinthe and whether Absinthe can really make you hallucinate but what about its alcohol content – How much alcohol is in Absinthe?
All commercial alcoholic drinks are labeled to show their alcohol content which makes easy for people to decide about the drink and also the quantity of intaking them.
A hydrometer is used to measure the alcohol content. A thermometer is attached with a hydrometer. The direction of hydrometer is vertical when kept in liquid. When it is put in water, the water line will be at the level marked 1.When it is put in sugared water the level increases because the water becomes denser. In the fermenting alcohol the float moves lower due to use of hydrometer. There is done two measurements of alcohol, one is taken with the sugar but before the yeast is added and then the final reading is taken after the fermentation of yeast.
Alcohol by volume can be checked by this formula
Original gravity – Final gravity x 131 = Alcohol by volume, is the formula to know alcohol content.
The EU and the United States label the alcohol by volume content of drinks on the other hand some other countries believe on proof. Proof is more or less double alcohol by volume.
Different brands of Absinthe have different alcohol contents. Look at the following statistics:-
Lucid Absinthe 62% abv (124 proof)
La Clandestine Absinthe 53% abv (106 proof)
The alcohol content in Sebor is about 55%
Pere Kermanns contains about 60% abv
One can get 68% abv in Pernod Absinthe
The alcohol content is found to be 70% abv (140 proof) in Mari Mayans Collectors 70
Tips about La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
The alcohol content in La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise is 68% abv (136 proof)
What is La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
One can get 68% abv alcohol content in La Fee Parisian
The alcohol content is found to be 53% abv in Carte D’Or Kubler 53
Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or 65% abv (130 proof)
Roquette 1797 contains 75% abv of alcohol
One can get 68% abv of alcohol volume in Jade PF 1901
The alcohol content in Jade Edouard is 72% abv (144 proof)
Ideas about Jade Verte Suisse 65% abv (130 proof)
Jade Nouvelle Orleans 68% abv (136 proof)
As you can see Absinthe can range from 53% abv to 75% abv, quite a difference. Now, let’s compare those levels to other alcoholic drinks:-
Absolut Blue Vodka 40% abv (80 proof)
One can get 38% abv (76 proof) in Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
Beer tends to be 4 or 5% alcohol by volume (8-10 proof).
Alcohol by volume in Table Wine is 9-12%.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky is available with 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof).
Everclear 95% abv (190 proof)
No other alcoholic drink seems to come close to Absinthe!
The alcohol content can differ in homemade Absinthes. An Absinthe essence is available at AbsintheKit.com.Absolut vodka contains 40% abv and the Everclear contains 95% abv alcohol.
Absinthe was banned in the 1900s because of claims that thujone, the chemical in wormwood, was like THC in the drug cannabis and that it was psychoactive and caused psychedelic effects. Any liquor can be harmful to health if drunk in heavy amount. People in Memphis have realized this and consumption of alcohol was very less in the month of 2006 when they were polled.
Although alcohol is fine if consumed in moderation but one should know about alcohol content in Absinthe and other drinks.