Absinthe Green Fairy is an alcoholic drink with an interesting history. Although it was developed as an elixir in the 18th century it is one of the most controversial and well known drinks of everytime.
Absinthe is an anise flavored spirit which is incredibly strong, between 45 and 75% Alcohol by volume. It is emerald green in color, hence the name “Green Fairy” or in French “La Fee Verte”. Herbs are used to prepare this distilled liquor. The common herbs tend to be wormwood, green aniseed and fennel. Henri-Louis Pernod used other herbs like hyssop, lemon balm, nutmeg, juniper, veronica, star anise and dittany to produce his famous original Pernod Absinthe recipe. Some manufacturers used the herb calamus along with wormwood and nutmeg which were assumed to be psychoactive. Because of the essential oil extract Absinthe louche when iced water is poured over the sugar on the Absinthe spoon. The oils are insoluble in water that’s why cause Absinthe to cloud.
Absinthe Green Fairy and the Art World
Absinthe is famous for inspiring many artists and writers associated with the Bohemian culture of the Montmartre area of Paris. Vincent Van Gough, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Charles Baudelaire, Edgar Degas, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde are popular Absinthe drinkers. Many writers and artists were convinced with the effects of Absinthe. Absinthe and Absinthe drinkers was featured by some painters in their paintings.
Absinthe’s association with old Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge and the Bohemian sect, was just the excuse necessary for prohibition campaigners. The link with the murder of a family and the growing problem of alcohol addiction in France were responsible for the restriction of Absinthe in France. Other countries also banned it but it remained legal in the Czech Republic, the UK, Spain and Portugal.
People believed that the chemical thujone was responsible for the psychedelic effects of drinking the Green Fairy. Thujone was thought to be similar to THC in cannabis. The main contents of Absinthe are alcohol, ethanol and minute quantities of thujone. Research has shown that the alcohol content in Absinthe is dangerous and not the thujone. There are various studies and articles written on the subject. If you remember that it is about twice as strong as vodka or whisky and drink it with care and in moderation, it is simply a drink which gives pleasure.
During the time of prohibition many people enjoyed buying and drinking vintage style Absinthe in Absinthe bars in the Czech Republic, served in the classic Absinthe large glassesand in surroundings decorated with vintage Absinthe posters. At present Absinthe is legal in several countries although thujone levels are controlled in the EU and the United States only allows Absinthe with trace amounts of thujone.
Internet is the best way of getting Absinthe by the bottle or for ordering Absinthe essences.com) to make your own Absinthe Green Fairy to bottle at home. Some new Absinthes which are made for the US market do not contain thujone.
Absinthe Green Fairy can also be used in cocktails – mix with champagne for a truly decadent drink!