The origin of this magical and almost forbidden drink is still unclear, but as most of the spirits in the old times, Absinthe was used as a remedy. This spirit is the result of distilling the flowers and leaves of a medicinal plant called Artemisia Absinthium or commonly called Wormwood. As a result the spirit obtained has a high alcohol content with an aroma and flavor or anise.  Its color is typically pale or emerald green and sometimes clear and for this reason it has been called: la Fée Verte that means The Green Fairy and the louche for the cloudy effect when it is mixed with water.

Absinthe is brewed in the Jura region of Switzerland. The popular legend says that it was in Switzerland in 1792 when a French doctor Pierre Ordinaire used wormwood to flavor alcoholic drinks. After the years Absinthe has been also produced in other countries such as: France where the worldwide known Pernod is produced, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Czech Republic and other countries using the same swiss recipe.

Serving Ritual

Serving absinthe is kind of a ritual; there are steps to follow in order to being able to enjoy this drink:

Pour a measure of absinthe into a tall glass.

Place a slotted absinthe spoon over the glass and place a sugar cube on it.

Slowly pour 4 to 5 parts of iced water over the sugar and let it drip into the glass. The absinthe will turn from emerald green to a milky white.

Sip slowly.

Absinthe will always be a controversial drink and subject of conversations, since its beginning this spirit caused a cultural impact in the society since centuries ago specially in between famous artists and writers who featured Absinthe in their works.

In the modern times, Absinthe's mystery and illicit quality have played a starring rol in movies, tv shows and music applying a variety of concepts and myths to this drink, which has given Absinthe its reputation of an aphrodisiac, and sometimes poison.

Most of the countries have their own regulations about the production of this spirit but in any case, as long as it has been well distilled using the right ingredients, Absinthe, may be served pure or in combination with other drinks as cocktail in which its aroma and taste are appreciated by the mouth of the social drinker.

HISTORICAL ABSINTHE BRANDS

• Pernod Fils
• Fritz Duval Dubied Père & Fils
• A. Vichet
• La Cressonnée
• Terminus
• A. Junod
• Cousin Jeune
• Herbsaint
• Oxygénée
• L. Lemercier & Duval

“The first stage is like ordinary drinking, the second when you begin to see monstrous and cruel things, but if you can persevere you will enter in upon the third stage where you see things that you want to see, wonderful curious things.”
—Oscar Wilde