Week ten in The Year of Drinking Adventurously. Absinthe!
So I know you all will find this hard to believe, (that’s me being sarcastic) but this is not my first time dancing with The Green Fairy. Because you know how cautious I am about trying new things. Try not to laugh out loud… It’s only a recent indulgence, however. That’s because absinthe had been banned in many countries around the world since the early 20th century. In fact, it wasn’t until 2007 that a French distiller was allowed to import absinthe into the USA — the first time since 1912.
So what’s the deal with absinthe? Its main ingredients are wormwood (which gives it its bad reputation), sweet fennel and anise. The rumor that absinthe is highly addictive and psychoactive is false. Nevertheless, that myth led to the aforementioned ban in the USA and much of Europe around 1915. The unintended consequence of this action was to give absinthe a dark, sexy, mysterious allure. Tell someone they can’t have something and it becomes even more desirable than before. Finally, the myths have been debunked and absinthe is once again available for your drinking pleasure!
I know I’ve complained about the difficult time I’ve had finding some of the more exotic beverages since I started this virtual booze cruise, but absinthe was not a problem. There happens to be a distillery right here in Philly that produces a lovely product. Voila:
Vieux Carré from Philadelphia Distilling Company, the first East Coast distiller to produce absinthe. At 120 proof, this Green Fairy packs a wallop. Traditionally, the spirit is prepared for consumption by placing a sugar cube on top of a specially designed slotted spoon, which is then placed on a glass filled with a dose of absinthe. Iced water is poured or dripped over the sugar cube to slowly and evenly distribute the water into the absinthe.
I did not do this, for two reasons…. First, I kept forgetting to buy sugar cubes when I went to the store, and more importantly, I like the taste of undiluted absinthe. The anise flavor is quite pleasant, actually. And no you won’t have hallucinations. Well, maybe if you drank a really, really lot of it… But that could happen with any strong spirit. Take my word for it.
Anyway…
Absinthe has long been associated with Bohemian culture and thus was a popular drink among artists and writers like Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Charles Baudelaire, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, and Marcel Proust. Its connection to such legendary artistes has only added to the fascination. Absinthe possesses a mystery, mythology, and seductive appeal. I recommend it without reservation.
So drape yourself in black, draw the curtains closed and pray for rain. And while you’re dripping your absinthe over sugar cubes, reading poetry by candlelight, listen to some music that will complete your experience: The Cure – Prayers For Rain. And don’t forget to see how Lula danced with the Green Fairy!
I’ve had Absinthe a time or two. Not bad. I’d always heard about the hallucinatory effects, and that’s why I wanted to try it. No such luck however. Still, not too bad, but I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the anise flavor. Would I drink it again? Sure. Is it in my liquor cabinet. Not at the present. Maybe I should put some there. 😃
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I had forgotten how much I like it! My pal Lula made absinthe cocktails with it, a thought that never crossed my mind! Of course, for me the appeal is the mythology surrounding it. I’m fortunate that the Vieux Carre is a good quality product. 😃
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Never tried it in a cocktail. I’ll have to mess around with it a bit. Hearing Vieux Carre makes think of my beloved New Orleans,which has me daydreaming again. You’ve become quite inspiring to me lately. 😃
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Ha! Thank you! Or I’m sorry, whichever works best! 😃
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No worries. Any time my mind wanders to a great place, it’s a good thing! 😃
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I’ve never had it, now I’m curious to try some. Loved your article, this is a fun series!
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I’m glad you’re enjoying it! I know I certainly am! 😜 Absinthe just conjures that turn of the last century gothic romance feel. Sigh….
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I’ve only had absinthe once in my life – New Year’s Eve, 1999 (yes, we partied like it was 1999…) We danced hard with the green fairy that night… never again!
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Ooh, that sounds bad. La fee verte is a sneaky little lady!
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Sneaky, moody, violent… I could see why artists used to link it with madness!
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Looks like something really fun to try!
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Most definitely! Not in large doses though, or the fairy turns mean!
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I will remember that!
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I’ve always had this attraction to absinthe, because it was steeped so much in myth. I recall my friend eating the worm at the bottom of the agave bottle to see if he would trip. He did not. I’m going to try this soon, and I hope it impresses me as much as its history does.
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You won’t be disappointed. Absinthe’s dark mystery is irresistible. Let me know what you think if you try it!
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What spirit would you compare it to?
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It’s pretty unique… Sambuca mixed with everclear?!? 😜
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Is it thick like Sambuca? I find Sambuca to have a high glycerine level, or what appears to be high. For my spirits, I tend to like Vodka, Rum and Gin. Not very adventurous!
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No, it’s got the consistency of vodka, not syrupy at all! It’s the anise flavor!
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I’ll have to check it out!
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I love any drink with a ritual associated with it. And I like dispelling ridiculous myths. Can’t believe a century of public alcohol policy was based on a misconception.
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I know! Thank goodness that’s over! Thanks for stopping by, Jeff! We got to tour the Philadelphia Distilling Company last year. They’re making some good stuff! I buy the Blue Coat gin all the time, now.
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Never had the opportunity to try it, but you made me curious.
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Go for it! I think it’s a rite of passage for authors! 😃
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LOL
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Good call on The Cure, one of my classic favorites. Now you’ve got me thinking about absinthe. If my trusty hotel bar has it I’ll try it next week.
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You are always on the road! When are you coming to Philly? We’ll meet you for dinner!!!
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I usually only get to Philly in January. I didn’t go this past January. I’ll let you know if I’m going to be there next January
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Sounds good!
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While I am not a drinker… I had to say… GREAT SONG!
Did you see AntMan? The movie? There is a part in there and I don’t want to spoil, but involves The Cure and I thought it was the greatest! 🙂
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No I didn’t see it! Now I have to rent it! Love The Cure and they’re amazing in concert!
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That movie was great. I loved it! The thing I’m referring to goes by fast, but it was awesome. And yes… The Cure… I have seen them 3 times, I think… (Wow, my memory is bad!) Their shows were always amazing. I do think the Disintegration tour was my favorite. 🙂
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I agree, Disintegration was my favorite, too!
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I hadn’t listened to that album in a long time… but I just did a couple of days ago… how weird is that?!
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A stirring in the force! 😳
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Hmm… that’s true, One always wants to do the thing they are told not to do! Now, I’m curious, I want to try this!
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Absolutely! I really like it. It’s a sipper, though. Or maybe try one of the cocktails Lula suggested. Let me know what you think!
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This is one I have not tried. I’ll be adding it to my to-do list. If it is good as a straight sipper, it must be something special.
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I think you’ll like it. We seem to be on the same page alcohol wise! And I had the chance to try the sugar cube thing when we toured the Philadelphia distillery, but I didn’t really care for it. But straight up it’s very nice.
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That’s ok. I think I’ll stick to Lady Antebellum and Old Grandad. Anything green that’s not growing is suspect.
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Well I like both of those options, too! But this is “the year of drinking adventurously!” Hope you’re doing well, Mike! 😃
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I didn’t even know absinthe was legal in the US now! I’m not a big drinker, but it has always had such a mystique if I had met someone who had it, I probably would have tried it just for the heck of it.
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Right? That’s how I am too! And it doesn’t disappoint, unless you truly were hoping to hallucinate! 😜
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Ooh, my first bad experience with alcohol came when I was 15 (oh, the shame!) with Sambuca on a school trip to Italy. I don’t think I could drink anything like that ever again! However, the Cure – good call!
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Oh yeah, I get that! The Cure are amazing!
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I would get this for a themed party of sorts. It looks so inviting and dangerous!
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Romantic poets party or Victorian Gothic party! Something French, perhaps!
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I’ll have to compare the results to tequila and see what happens. 😉
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With photographic evidence! 😉
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lol! You’ll have to host the post the next time. 😉
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Oh boy!! House party!
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I do better in smaller gatherings. 😀
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Just an intimate gathering then!
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I think that’s a good description. 😀
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Make it so, captain!
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You get the absinthe, towels and invitations. I’ll take care of the rest. 😉
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Haha! Deal!!!!
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It may be an urban myth but I always believed that absinthe was only allowed back on general sale after one (unspecified) ingredient was omitted. Mushrooms anyone?
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Really?!? I hadn’t heard that, but it makes a lot of sense, actually! 😀
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Excellent post Meg. The quintessential Decadent drink, part of the allure is the myth.
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Thank you. Yes such a dark appeal. But I actually enjoy it, beyond all that. I’d love to try the original recipe. Barcelona – sounds like a destination.
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It has a few bars that serve it, but not in the Czech way, no flambés.
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You mean the Czechs set it alight?
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They do indeed
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How dramatic! Burns off the alcohol though…
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Exactly and that is why the purists in Spain look down on it.
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So Barcelona it is, then. Good, I can look for an apartment while I’m there!
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its a lovely city
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