The Mythical Absinthe Green Fairy

Absinthe Green Fairy is an alcoholic drink with an interesting history. Developed as an elixir or tonic in the 18th century is now one of the most controversial and famous drinks at all times. 

Absinthe is an anise flavored spirit which is incredibly strong, between 45 and 75% alcohol by volume. It is emerald green, hence the name "Green Fairy", or in French "La Fee Verte". It is a distilled spirit made from herbs. The three main herbs tend to be wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), green anise and fennel (Fennell). Henri-Louis Pernod, who first commercially distilled Absinthe, used other herbs such as hyssop, lemon balm, nutmeg, juniper, Veronica, star anise and dittany to produce his famous original Pernod Absinthe recipe. Other ingrediants such as the herb calamus were used by some manufacturers and this herb along with wormwood and nutmeg were though to be psychoactive. It is the essential oil extracts from herbs that cause Absinthe to Louch when iced water is poured over a sugar Absinthe spoon. The oils are not water soluble and so cause the Absinthe to cloud or Louch. 

Absinthe Green Fairy and the Art World 

Absinthe is known for inspiring many artists and writers in the Bohemian culture of the Montmartre area of Paris. Famous Absinthe drinkers include Vincent Van Gough, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Charles Baudelaire, Edgar Degas, Ernest Hemingway and Oscar Wilde. Many writers and artists were convinced that Absinthe gave them inspiration and gave them their genius. Painters like Van Gogh and Picasso even featured Absinthe and Absinthe drink in their paintings. 

Absinthe's association with the old Montmartre, the Moulin Rouge and the Bohemian sect, just the excuse to ban campaign managers need. When it was connected with the murder of a family and the growing problem of alcohol dependence in France, it was easy for protesters to get the sale of Absinthe made illegal and it was banned in France in 1915. Other countries have also banned it, but it remained legal in the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Spain and Portugal. 

The chemical Thujone, which is present in wormwood, was blamed for the psychedelic effects of drinking the green fairy. Thujone was considered to be similar to THC in cannabis. But Absinthe is primarily alcohol, ethanol, and therefore contains only minute quanitities of Thujone. Research has shown that Absinthe is just as safe as any other strong spirits, and that it's alcohol content not Thujone is dangerous. Many studies and articles have been written about the topic. If you can remember that it is about twice as strong as vodka or whiskey and drink it with care and in moderation, it is simply a drink that gives pleasure. 

During the time of prohibition many people enjoyed buying and drinking vintage style Absinthe Absinthe in bars in the Czech Republic, served in the classic Absinthe big glasses and in surroundings decorated with vintage Absinthe posters. Now, in 2008, Absinthe are legal in many countries although Thujone levels are controlled in the EU and the U.S. only gives Absinthe with trace amounts of Thujone, which can be bought and sold. 

You can buy Absinthe online by the bottle or order Absinthe essences (visit site AbsintheKit.com) to make your own Absinthe Green Fairy to bottle at home. Real Absinthe and Absinthe essences contain the vital ingredient wormwood but some new Absinthe, produced for the U.S. market contains no Thujone. 

Absinthe Green Fairy is a delicious spirit and can be used for cocktails - mix with champagne for a truly decadent drink!