Would you dare savor an emerald green liquor that could seduce you like an enchanting lover, inspire you to become a great artist, or drive you to madness? The green fairy, the jade muse, and the mistress of poisons are all the same, yet merely seen as an anise flavored herbal beverage forever to be hailed as an elixihir of creativity and the cause behind history‘s most treacherous illnesses. Allegedly created in 1790’s by Dr. Pierre Ordinaire of Switzerland as a natural remedy, absinthe gained its popularity among French soldiers who brought the drink back to the cafés of Paris, where it became a fashionable among the bourgeoisie. In the late 1800s, absinthe became more cost effective than wine, quickly becoming the preferred choice of famous artists and writers during the 19th and 20th centuries, including Vincent Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Ernest Hemingway, and Pablo Picasso. As absinthe’s reputation grew, so did the many legends that would cause it to nearly disappear. The high-proof absinthe was to blame for causing epilepsy, tuberculosis, insanity, and even a murderous rage among its faithful drinkers. It wasn’t until 1912 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture banned absinthe in America. It seemed that the supposed hazardous liquor would never be tasted again, until now.
After a 95 year exile from U.S. soil, absinthe finally returned to America in 2007. Now that absinthe is considered safe to drink and legal to buy, how does one actually consume it? To solve the mystery, we spoke with master distiller Ted Breaux, considered by many as the “grandfather” of the absinthe resurgence we see going on now. Breaux, who comes from a chemistry background, unexpectedly fell into absinthe, began studying it, distilling it, and is now a major source of all absinthe-related information.
Below are Breaux’s step-by-step tips on how to properly drink absinthe:
The traditional way to consume absinthe (just like they did back on the sidewalks of Paris) is by louching (pronounced loo-shing).
How to Drink Absinthe Step 1: First pour some absinthe into a small glass. A traditional absinthe glass is designed to measure out about 1 oz.
How to Drink Absinthe Step 2: A slotted spoon and sugar cube are placed to rest on top of the glass.
How to Drink Absinthe Step 3: Ice water is dripped upon the sugar cube and into the absinthe. You should add enough water so that the absinthe turns from a transparent green to a milky translucent green. Adding the water to the absinthe makes the three main herbs (the holy trinity: anise, fennel, and wormwood) more flavorful and robust.
Now that you know how to drink absinthe like a pro, enjoy your success with some of the top absinthe cocktails that are becoming popular in bars across the country. If you’ve already tried our Brazilian Sangria, then you know these yummy drinks will immediately become a hit at any fiesta. Whether you’re looking for a hot number, a seductive Jell-O shot, or just a remake of an old favorite, here are our picks for the best absinthe cocktails that’ll make you a favorite among your friends at parties and turn other aspiring bartenders green with envy.
Top Absinthe Cocktail: Absinthe Minded Martini
The classic martini is a staple recipe that every alcohol aficionado should know how to make. However, why settle for the usual, bland recipe when it can be spiked with some absinthe? This slight moderation of your typical cocktail results in a rich, intense botanical taste that’ll leave you and guests breathless. Olives need not apply.
Ingredients
½ oz. Absinthe (We used Lucid)
½ oz. Grand Marnier
3 oz. Gin
½ oz. Dry Vermouth
1 Orange or lime peel
Preparation
Mix the gin and absinthe in a martini shaker. Then swirl Dry Vermouth in a martini glass and poor out what is left. Finish by topping it off with Grand Marnier and garnishing with an orange or lime peel.
Top Absinthe Cocktail: Absinthe Margarita
Much like martinis, margaritas are a must when it comes to knowing which are the best drinks one should know how to make. Whether you prefer yours strong and salty or sweet and crisp, margaritas come in all different flavors for any picky drinker. Therefore, it was no surprise that an Absinthe Margarita would surface and trust us, you’ll be happy to make this discovery. This cocktail is meant for those who’re trying absinthe for the first time or may not enjoy having too much herbal notes in their drink. The medley of refreshing tequila, lime juice, and other spirits seemingly mask the absinthe added without shielding its relaxing side effects.
Ingredients
2 oz. Absinthe
Sour Mix
½ oz. Grand Marnier
Splash of Tequila
Lime wedge
Preparation
Salt the rim of the glass and then fill it with ice. Add the absinthe and sour mix, splash in the tequila, and float the Grand Marnier. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Top Absinthe Cocktail: Cajun Bloody Maria
As much as we love our fruity drinks, sometimes we can go for some spice in our lives. Liven up your Bloody Mary and go for the more tropical Cajun Bloody Maria, a fiery number that would put jalapenos to shame. When you take absinthe, two sizzling hot sauces, pepper, and a Bloody Mary into the mix, you’ll get the explosive Bloody Maria which only few men have dared to try. Wake up to a Cajun Bloody Maria and you may never need coffee to start your day again.
Ingredients
2 oz. Absinthe
Bloody Mary mix (Extra spicy)
Splash of Tabasco Sauce
Splash of Worcestershire Sauce
Pepper
One cooked jumbo shrimp
Preparation
Fill the glass with ice, and mix the absinthe and the Bloody Mary mix. Splash in the Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces, pepper to taste, and finish by garnishing the cocktail with a cooked jumbo shrimp.
Top Absinthe Cocktail: Absinthe Dessert
We fell in love with Junior Merino’s Rested Winter for its delicious use of Kahlua, a Mexican coffee liqueur mixed with sugar cane spirits, vanilla, and vodka. It comes at no surprise that Kahlua is often used in chocolate-based desserts to enhance flavor and texture. To satisfy our sweet tooth and cravings for cafe, we added some Irish Cream, another coffee-based liqueur made with Irish whiskey and cream. However, once Absinthe is included into the mix, the Absinthe Dessert is created, a heavenly beverage that’s luscious, perfectly sweetened, and wonderfully chilled. Whenever you’re having a bad day, prepare yourself this sinful treat that’s to die for!
Ingredients
1 part Absinthe
1 part Irish Cream
1 part Kahlua
A pinch of cinnamon
Preparation
Pour absinthe, Irish Cream, Kahlua, and cinnamon in drink mixer. Shake and pour over three ice cubes.
Top Absinthe Cocktail: Fairy From Hell Jell-O Shots
Every frat boy and party girl will tell you that no fiesta is complete without Jell-O shots. Not only are they fun, but also easy to make. After all, who doesn’t love this jiggly concoction once tequila or vodka is added? For this week, we’re out beating the college crowd with Fairy From Hell Jell-O Shots, absinthe-based shooters that, with the help of tangy lime and la fae verte, patrons will feel as if they can indeed touch the sky.
Ingredients
6 oz. Jell-O (We used lime flavored)
16 oz. Boiling water
10 oz. Cold water
6 oz. Absinthe
Preparation
Bring the water to a boil and add the Jell-O mix. Then pour in the cold water and absinthe and stir. Pour the mix in shot glasses or plastic cups and leave in the refrigerator until gelled.
Top Absinthe Cocktail: Absinthe Frappe
Looking for something cool and minty? Try a frappe, with absinthe of course. The Absinthe Frappe is light, invigorating, and a fizzy thirst quencher with a generous portion of fresh mint leaves swimming on the cool cocktail. The Absinthe Frappe can be made quickly when trying to impress your friends at brunch. It may even steal you away from your local coffee shop, but will you honestly care? We sure don’t!
Ingredients
1 oz. Absinthe (We used Lucid)
0.5 oz. Simple Syrup
6-8 Fresh Mint Leaves
1 oz. of Soda Water
1 Mint sprig
Preparation
Muddle mint leaves in the bottom of a frappe style glass. Add absinthe, simple syrup and fill with crushed ice. Pour mixture into shaker and shake vigorously. Pour contents into glass, top with splash of soda water and garnish with mint sprig.
Top Absinthe Cocktail: Absinthe a la Playa
When it comes to throwing a beach bash or a posh pool party, one of the hardest decisions we can make is what drinks to bring. Sure beer is a definite, but what about something a little more sophisticated and delectable? We introduced you to summer pitchers, which have become a hit this year, but since this week is all about absinthe, we’re going to suggest a tropical brew that’s going to become a favorite among your guests. The Absinthe a la Playa gives the usual Pina Coladas a break with coconut flavored rum, icy pineapple juice, and absinthe to create some earthy textures. What’s great about Absinthe a la Playa is that it can either be served in a martini glass or in shot glasses for some added excitement to any fiesta…that’s if you managed to survive the Fairy From Hell.
Ingredients
1 oz. Absinthe (We used Lucid)
1 oz. Coconut Rum
1 oz. Pineapple Juice
1 Sliced star fruit for garnish
Ingredients
In a cocktail shaker, add ice, absinthe, coconut rum, and pineapple juice. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with one sliced star fruit. Drink can also be poured in a shot glass.
