At the moment there seems to be an Absinthe rebirth, a renewed curiosity about information on Absinthe, mainly because that Absinthe has now become legal in the United States. In 2007 the Absinthe “Lucid” was legalized in the USA and a few other brands have followed suit. The Green Fairy can once again be enjoyed in bars and homes around America absinthe.
Information on Absinthe
Absinthe is actually a strong spirit which was actually produced as an elixir or health tonic in the eighteenth century in Switzerland by Dr Pierre Ordinaire. From all of these humble beginnings in its halcyon days, in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, it was even more common than other alcoholic drinks such as wine, beer and cider.
Created from a wine alcohol base and flavoured with natural herb oils, Absinthe is an extremely different type of alcohol. It is roughly twice the strength of whisky or vodka but is usually served diluted with iced water. Its main herbal ingredient is wormwood or Artemisia Absinthium. Absinthe gets its name from this plant and its characteristic bitter taste. The anise flavor emanates from aniseed, fennel and anise that are classic herbal ingredients.
Wormwood has been used for thousands of years in medicine for the treating of:-
– Fevers
– Parasitic intestinal worms
– Digestive problems
– To counteract poisoning from hemlock and toadstools.
It was also used being a tonic or “pick-me-up” and so was a natural option for Ordinaire’s elixir.
Wormwood was accountable for Absinthe’s ban in early 1900s. The chemical substance thujone, found in wormwood, was regarded as psychoactive, to cause psychedelic effects, addiction and insanity. Absinthe was contrasted to the drug cannabis and prohibitionists and members of the medical occupation campaigned for Absinthe to be restricted.
Numerous studies have since shown that Absinthe contains only very tiny quantities of thujone and it is perfectly safe to drink sparingly. EU and US legislation control the volume of thujone in Absinthe and other drinks but even vintage pre ban Absinthe would be able to be sold today.
As opposed to myths and urban legend, Absinthe will not make you hallucinate or “trip”. It’s actually a lovely drink and can get you drunk very easily but it does not contain sufficient wormwood to cause hallucinations.
There are lots of recipes on the web and kits on the market to make your own Absinthe from home. Making Absinthe from first ingredients just like blends of herbs is tricky plus illegal in the US where distillation of alcohol is only allowed if you have the correct license.
Several kits comprise blends of Absinthe herbs that you just mix with alcohol, steep and then filter immediately after a few days but essences are much easier to make use of. AbsintheKit.com sell their already distilled Absinthe essences to the Absinthe industry and to the public. You will find four essences available – an oldtime green essence, a white essence to produce clear La Bleue style Absinthe, an orange flavoured essence and also a strong essence for those who like a more powerful wormwood flavor learn more.
Absinthe essences from AbsintheKit.com are easy to use – just mix with vodka or Everclear and you are done! They comprise real herbs and essential oils like wormwood, aniseed and fennel and can create a true classic Absinthe.
You will be able to find plenty of information on Absinthe online and why not use your homemade Absinthe to produce tasty cocktails? Enjoy being innovative using your Absinthe.