Spirits: Absinthe Flashcards
True absinthe contains:
Grande wormwood Roman wormwood Green anise seed Sweet fennel Mellissa (lemon balm) Hyssop
True absinthe does not contain:
Additives
Sugar
Artificial coloring
Who invented absinthe, and when?
An eccentric Swiss doctor developed absinthe in the 18th century as an herbal medicine.
When did absinthe become popular?
1840s. The French issued rations to its soldiers in Algeria.
What cultural fixture emerged around absinthe in the 1860s?
L’heure verte—the green cocktail hour of 5pm.
When and where was absinthe banned?
Worldwide (except Spain) by 1914.
Which is the only country to have legal definitions of absinthe?
Switzerland
What compound present in absinthe is believed to cause hallucinations?
Thujone. Its presence in absinthe is currently regulated.
What is absinthe’s ABV range?
50%–80% (100 to 160 proof)
When did the U.S. lift its ban on absinthe?
2007
How is absinthe traditionally served?
Diluted with 4 to 6 parts of water and a dissolved sugar cube.
Which five genuine absinthes are made in the U.S.?
- Pacifique (verte, WA)
- Germain-Robin (blanche, CA)
- Delaware Phoenix “Meadow of Love” (verte, NY)
- North Shore “La Sirene” (verte, IL)
- St. George (verte, CA)
What distinguishes finer absinthes from inferior ones?
Distillation from whole herbs and a quality base spirit
Why was absinthe banned?
Wine company propaganda
Bad science
What is grand wormwood’s latin name?
Artemisia absinthium
