absynthe

Have You Met the Green Fairy? Drink Absinthe and You May!

by Denise on Feb 1, 2010

Absinthe, also known as "the Green Fairy," is an emerald colored strongly alcoholic aperitif with an intriguing history and reputation. Authentic absinthe is made in Europe from alcohol and distilled herbs, including wormwood, green anise, fennel, and hyssop. Very high in alcohol, absinthe is usually in the 55% to 72% range (110 to 144 proof). In comparison, a good whisky is generally around 40% (80 proof). Absinthe is also known for its "secondary effects" that many drinkers liken to a hallucinogenic drug lasting 20-30 minutes. Others say they experience nothing unusual at all beyond the normal buzz produced by the high alcohol content. If you could ask famous artists and writers like Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemingway, they would claim it "expanded the mind" and "enhanced creativity and inspiration." They also enjoyed a ritualized method of drinking absinthe using a special slotted spoon topped with a sugar cube, over which iced water...Read More >>