Types and brands of real absinthe. Absinthe best varieties The strongest absinthe

About which there are many legends. In some of them it is considered a poison, and the ability to cause hallucinations is attributed to it. In other legends, the drink appears as something unusual, with a unique taste.

Invention of absinthe

Wormwood tinctures were used back in Ancient Egypt. At that time they were used as a medicine. Moreover, they were not available to every person.

In Ancient Greece, wormwood tinctures were also used. Hippocrates recommended their use for jaundice, anemia and rheumatism.

But the ancient wormwood tinctures were still far from the drink that is now called absinthe. There are several versions about his invention. According to one of them, the drink was invented by the Enrio sisters at the end of the 18th century. They gave the tincture the name “Bon Extrait d’Absinthe”. Its use helped cure many diseases.

But there is another version of the invention of this drink. According to it, at the end of the 18th century it was developed by the French physician Pierre Ordiner. At that time he lived and worked in Switzerland, in a small village called Cove. The doctor used the tincture he invented to treat his patients. But there is an opinion that Ordiner did not come up with anything new, but used the recipe of the Enrio sisters. He managed to popularize the drink, so the invention of absinthe became associated with his name.

The tincture has become widespread. It was sold in small bottles. The label depicted a girl with seductive curves standing in a frivolous pose. The drink was called "La Fee Verte", which translates as "The Green Fairy".

Start of absinthe production

A few years later, entrepreneur Henri Dubier bought a recipe for absinthe. He and his friend Henri-Louis Pernot established the world's first industrial production of the drink. Their small factory was opened in Switzerland.

The drink was popular and sold in large quantities. Therefore, seven years later, friends opened a second plant in Pontarlier, France. Over time, this enterprise became the main center for the production of absinthe. The plant was named Pernod. The drink began to be produced in large quantities. Its sales went all over the world. By the way, this alcoholic drink is still produced under the Pernod brand.

The rise of absinthe

But the real popularity of the drink came during military operations in northern Africa. A huge number of soldiers were drawn into the colonial wars launched by France. Military personnel were exposed to African diseases. It turned out that green absinthe coped well with them. It helped overcome illnesses and was used for prevention.

In addition, it turned out that absinthe is an excellent means of getting rid of amoebas and microbes contained in dirty water. Thanks to this, French soldiers avoided intestinal disorders. We can say that absinthe helped them capture African territories. After this he became very popular in France. The soldiers, having returned to their homeland, began to order their favorite drink from the cafe.

In the middle of the 19th century in Paris the question no longer arose: “What is absinthe?” After all, it has become a common drink. It was completely normal to drink absinthe at home before dinner as an aperitif or in the evening to shake off the burden of the day. The period from 17 to 19 hours even began to be called the “green hour”. At this time, it was supposed to drink a portion of the emerald drink and relax.

At the end of the 19th century, the popularity of absinthe reached its apogee. It began to be consumed as often as wine. And already at the beginning of the 20th century in France, absinthe surpassed it in popularity. They drank 6 times more green drink than wine.

Then absinthe got a bad reputation. They began to call it a drink that drives you crazy and plunges you into alcoholism. This is quite natural. After all, any substance can harm the body if consumed in excessive quantities. Therefore, cases of schizophrenia began to occur in those who drank absinthe uncontrollably.

The effects of absinthe on the body

Indeed, the green drink produces a strange effect that was so valued by writers and artists of the past. The explanation for this effect on the body is that absinthe is a tincture of wormwood. And this plant contains thujone. This substance has medicinal properties in small quantities, but becomes poisonous in large quantities. Absinthe preparation technology reduces the harmful effects of thujone. It is worth noting that this substance is found not only in wormwood. It is also present in sage, tansy, and thuja.

Absinthe is an alcoholic drink, but the state that its consumption causes is slightly different from ordinary intoxication. It gives great lightness, cheerfulness, euphoria.

Absinthe is banned

Over time, this drink gained a foothold. The reason for this was the manufacturers who added nickel and antimony to it. These substances gave the drink a shimmering color and opalescent hue, which were considered fashionable at the time.

Alcoholics drinking absinthe in unbridled quantities also contributed to the deterioration of its reputation. Inappropriate behavior caused by drinking the tincture was attributed to the effects of wormwood, forgetting that the composition also included 70% alcohol. They began to blame absinthe for all the madness, not taking into account that any alcohol causes such an effect.

The first country to ban the use of the “cursed potion” was Belgium. This happened at the beginning of the 20th century. It was then banned in a number of other countries, including France.

For a long time, the production, sale and consumption of absinthe was not allowed. It wasn't until 2004 that the laws prohibiting the drink were repealed. But modern manufacturers are obliged to comply with standards for the content of thujone in absinthe. The amount of this substance should not exceed 10 mg/kg. This is ten times lower than in the “cursed potion” of the 19th century.

Drinking culture

Absinthe is a drink that has a strong bitterness and high strength. It contains approximately 70-80% alcohol. Some individuals believe that absinthe is a liqueur. They are wrong. There is only one answer to the question “is absinthe a liqueur or tincture?” It's completely obvious. Absinthe - wormwood tincture.

It is not customary to use it in its pure form. There are several options

According to one of them, to prepare a portion of the drink you will need a narrow and tall glass. It needs to be filled with wormwood tincture by 1/5. A special spoon for absinthe is placed on top of the edges of the glass. It looks like a miniature spatula with shaped holes. Lump sugar is placed on top of it. Cold water is poured through it in a thin stream. You can use regular mineral water. Water should be poured to the edge of the glass. Ideally, the sugar should have time to dissolve during this process. A glass of prepared absinthe is drunk in one gulp.

The Czech method involves the reverse sequence in preparing the drink. So, first, cold water is poured into a glass. Then an absinthe spoon with a piece of sugar on top is placed on its edges. Through it, wormwood tincture is poured drop by drop.

There is a third way to prepare the drink. Absinthe is poured into a glass. A piece of sugar is moistened in it. It is placed on a spoon and set on fire. Melting, the sugar flows into the glass. Finally, cold water is added. If desired, it can be replaced with citrus juice.

Absinthe from the store

Today, quite a few brands of absinthe are produced. It's not easy to understand them. It is recommended to avoid absinthe with an alcohol content of less than 70%. After all, it is precisely this percentage that prevents essential oils from disintegrating. Dyes are usually added to wormwood tincture with an alcohol content of 45%. Thus, a good absinthe is one that contains at least 70% alcohol.

There are emerald drinks in bottles whose labels say “thujone-free”. This indicates that there is no thujone in the composition. Therefore, this is not a tincture of wormwood, but an imitation. Such drinks consist of dyes, sweeteners, and flavorings that create the illusion of absinthe.

When purchasing, you should pay attention to the thujone content. Its recommended amount is 10 mg/kg. However, in some stores you can find absinthe that exceeds this standard. Such drinks should be consumed with caution, no more than two glasses per evening.

Classification of absinthe by color

The classic color of the drink is green. Such absinthe is present in the product line of every manufacturer. Its shades can vary from light green to emerald.

Amber-colored absinthe has a mild taste. It is considered an elite drink because it is double purified during the production process.

Ruby-colored absinthe - wormwood tincture with pomegranate extract. It has an original aftertaste.

Absinthe also comes in a dark brown color. In the process of preparing this drink, wormwood roots are used, not leaves. Black acacia infusion is also added to it. The taste of this drink contains sweet tones.

Classification of absinthe by strength

Preparing absinthe

You can not only buy the drink in the supermarket, but also prepare it yourself. It's quite simple.

To make absinthe you need a distiller, alcohol and fresh wormwood. These are the main components. The process has several options.

According to Odinier-Pernod's recipe, in addition to wormwood, fennel and anise are also used. The herbs are soaked in alcohol and left for 7-10 days. Then everything is boiled in a distiller. The resulting alcohol with herbal infusion can be flavored. This is achieved by adding mint essence or other herbs. Finally, the drink is filtered and bottled.

According to a recipe from 1855, to obtain 1 liter of absinthe you will need:

• wormwood leaves - 25 g;
• anise seeds - 50 g;
• fennel seeds - 50 g;
• alcohol 85% - 950 ml.

Leaves and seeds are soaked in alcohol and left for at least 7 days. Then 450 ml of water is added to them. The resulting mixture is distilled through a distiller. This must be done until there is nothing left in the flask except herbs and seeds. The amount of distillate at the outlet is 950 ml. It needs to be filtered through a napkin. The drink is ready.

Benefits of absinthe

Drinking tincture in small quantities has a beneficial effect on the functioning of our body. After all, what is absinthe? This is a drink made with medicinal herbs.

Its use helps to relax, relieves heat and inflammation, dilates blood vessels, improves appetite. Absinthe can be used as a disinfectant, antispasmodic, and anticonvulsant. Its use helps in the prevention of viral diseases.

The harm of absinthe

Drinking this drink in moderation is not harmful to health. However, excessive passion for it can have dire consequences. Absinthe contains thujone, a toxic substance. When it enters the human body in quantities exceeding the norm, general excitement occurs and consciousness changes. It is even possible to experience hallucinations. But in tinctures produced by well-known manufacturers, the amount of thujone is strictly controlled.

In addition, do not forget that absinthe is an alcoholic drink. Excessive use of it can result in a banal hangover.

Myths about absinthe

There are many myths about the mysterious drink. Here are some of them.

• Absinthe is produced only in green color. This statement is misleading. Emerald green absinthe is a classic version of the drink. But yellow, red, and brown varieties are also produced.
• Drinking absinthe destroys brain cells. The effect of wormwood tincture on the brain is equivalent to the effect of any other strong alcohol.
• Drinking absinthe causes hallucinations. This statement is associated with thujone, which is part of the drink. Indeed, in large quantities this substance causes hallucinations. But in modern absinthe its content is controlled by European standards. If they are followed, the appearance of a hallucinogenic effect is impossible. However, moderation should be observed in the use of absinthe, like any other alcoholic drink.

Absinthe is a rather specific strong alcoholic drink, which in its classic version has a beautiful emerald color. It is one of the first on the list of alcohol that has a high degree of strength, which ranges from 57 to 86 degrees.

There are many chilling legends associated with it - you've probably heard the story about Van Gogh's cut off ear. This is an alcohol with a very long history, which has experienced ups and downs, but has found its admirers in every corner of the world.

However, the golden era of real absinthe is already in the past, but it is quite famous and in demand to this day. Let's find out what types of absinthe there are and what are the names of the best brands.

Did you know? Absinthe got its name from the French word “absinthe”, which translated into Russian means “bitter wormwood”, but translated from Greek the name of the alcohol sounds somehow mystical - “undrinkable” or “without pleasure”, which already evokes desire taste this drink.

As mentioned earlier, the main component of absinthe is a concentrated extract of bitter wormwood, the essential oils of which contain a large amount of thujone. This toxic natural substance can hardly be called harmless, but its effect on the human body is the main attraction of absinthe.

Important! Thujone causes a fairly strong hallucinogenic effect, which can develop into addiction with prolonged alcohol abuse. At one time, doctors classified this addiction as “absintheism syndrome.” Its external manifestations are expressed by impaired coordination of movement, nausea, chills and a general depressive state.

In addition to thujone, the composition of the legendary alcohol includes:

• mint;
• chamomile;
• coriander;
• fennel;
• angelica;
• veronica;
• Melissa;
• parsley;
• anise;
• liquorice;
• fraxinella;

Real alcohol colors

The color of an alcoholic drink directly depends on the recipe, as well as the additives and dyes used, while the taste of the alcohol may change or remain original.

• Green is the natural color of this distillate. It has several shades: from bright emerald to light green. Since the green color of chlorophyll is unstable, manufacturers often add artificial green food colors.
• Yellow or bright amber. In other words, it is a faded green, because after a few months of making the alcohol, the chlorophyll from the green leaves begins to change its hue towards yellow. Often this color is achieved using food coloring.
• Red. It is obtained by using pomegranate extract, which gives the drink a piquant ruby ​​hue and an unusual long aftertaste. In most cases, food coloring is used.
• Blue. It is achieved by adding special food colorings to the composition. Most often, this drink is used to make cocktails; it has no other advantages.
• Brown or black. The difference with other types of alcohol is that to obtain this color, not inflorescences or leaves are used, but the roots of wormwood. The dark shade of alcohol is given by black acacia tincture, which additionally enriches absinthe with sweet berry notes.

Popular brands of real absinthe

Despite all the shortcomings of the hot drink, it was recognized by the community as a sought-after and worthy representative of alcohol culture. The production of fiery “wormwood” alcohol is widespread in every corner of the world, but today the main leaders are only five producing countries. I will give you just a few examples of the most significant and noteworthy brands of absinthe.

Brands of French absinthe

Ricard. It is considered the best traditional alcohol, which is produced in the vastness of France and is a descendant of a real classic infusion. The basis of the legendary drink is wormwood, and Provençal herbs and anise are used to enrich the flavor notes. The infusion is strengthened with alcohol of exclusively the highest quality.

Pastis. This brand of wormwood mixture represents the oldest popular French alcohol, the recipe of which was invented back in 1951 in the city of Marseille. To commemorate this event, the number 51 is emblazoned on the Pastis bottle.

Hypno La Fee. The history of the drink begins in 1994. is a natural distillate, which is created on the basis of aromatic herbs, wormwood and purified alcohol. Alcohol has a high degree of strength - 70 revolutions - and a low content of the unfortunate thujone, about 10 mg/l.

Fruko Schulz. The Fruko Schulz company confidently occupies a leading position among the largest producers of elite alcohol in the Czech Republic. belongs to the category of very famous variations of the classic wormwood elixir.

It is prepared on the basis of extracts of wormwood, mint, anise and various fragrant herbs. The richness of taste and beautiful emerald color make it possible to widely use it in the preparation of cocktails.

Brands of Spanish Absinthe

Jacques Senaux is an elite strong alcoholic drink and is produced at the Teichenne distillery according to a specially developed recipe, which is kept under seven seals to this day.

What is known is that synthetic preservatives and dyes are used for its preparation, and wormwood and other aromatic components are used as raw materials. Seventy-degree is famous for its complete absence of alcohol odors.

Tunel. The birth of wormwood nectar dates back to 1898 on the island of Mallorca. The author of this alcohol is Don Antonio Nadal Mutaner, who personally developed the recipe and gave it the trademark “Tunel”, the logo of which is a train leaving a tunnel.

This alcohol earned its popularity only in 1986, when Nadal’s descendants sold the company to the Morey Garo family, which subsequently developed about a hundred varieties of alcoholic beverages.

Brands of Italian absinthe

Xenta. Alcoholic nectar is one of the most famous elite spirits in the world. This alcohol has a rich history and centuries-old traditions, the exclusive recipe of which has been preserved for more than 200 years.

This high-quality strong drink is prepared from wormwood, which grows at an altitude of two thousand meters in the Alps of Northern Italy. The herb is collected exclusively at the final stage of flowering, and only the upper parts of the plant are used in the recipe.

Anise and coriander are used to enrich the taste of alcohol.

Brands of German absinthe

Mr. Jekyll. The era of German absinthe begins at the end of the 19th century, when the company of one entrepreneur glorified wormwood tincture throughout Germany.

—Mr. Jekyll - has a charming light green color, has a strength of 55 revolutions and is famous for its pronounced wormwood taste with notes of anise.

In order to give the color of the drink more saturated shades, the company uses harmless food dyes approved for use in the European Union.

How to choose the right absinthe

• First of all, pay attention pay attention to the title. The French version is written as "Absinthe", the Italian and Spanish - "Absenta", and the Czech alcohol - "Absinth". Also on the label you may find the words “thujone-free” or “absinthe refined” - this means that these varieties do not contain a drop of thujone and are purified absinthe.
• Fortress real green liquor varies from 70 rpm and above. If the alcohol content does not correspond to the specified value, then this means that you have wormwood liqueur. Imported manufacturers indicate the strength with the word “proof”, one unit of which is equal to 0.5 degrees of alcohol.
• Real absinthe is exclusively distillate, not a tincture, and on the label this information is indicated by the word "distilled". This alcohol has excellent taste and the highest quality.
• The last thing to note is thujone content, which is denoted either in ppm, or mg/kg. Although recently this component is no longer considered an essential component of absinthe, as evidenced by branded brands marked “refined” or “thujone-free”. It is worth noting that some manufacturers do not indicate the content of thujone present - this indicates that the alcohol contains an acceptable amount of a natural substance that complies with European Union standards.

Now you know exactly how to distinguish a fake from the original, and also have a general understanding of the famous brands of real absinthe.

After tasting elite alcohol, be sure to leave tasting notes in the comments and share your opinion. If you have already discovered your favorite brand of green nectar, briefly tell us why exactly the alcohol won your heart. Thank you everyone for your time and good luck in your search for elite alcohol!

Absinthe, also called wormwood vodka, has recently become increasingly popular. Demand, as we know, gives rise to supply, and therefore new types of absinthe appear, and existing ones acquire an increasing number of variations. The old manufacturers have not gone away, but at the same time new, younger companies are emerging. It is quite obvious that one can easily get confused in all this diversity, because the “Green Fairy” can be not only green, but also red, black, blue; Moreover, absinthe can even be transparent!

If you want, you can quickly figure it all out. There are several classifications - the drink is divided into types according to the following parameters:

• color;
• fortress;
• thujone content.

Let's get acquainted with the features of each classification.

Absinth Hill's Suicide

Classification by color

Color is an important criterion, since not only the appearance of the drink, but also its properties, preparation technology, etc. depend on it. Colors vary greatly, so let's take a look at the most common ones.

Green absinthe

This is a traditional color, which, by the way, is why the drink is called the “Green Fairy.” Shades of green absinthe vary - from rich emerald to light green. It is worth noting that the natural color of the drink may change over time, which is why manufacturers often use artificial colors. But in high-quality absinthe, the natural dye is chlorophyll, which is contained in the leaves of almost all plants.

The green subspecies is produced by almost every manufacturer. There is, for example, the Spanish Absenta Tunel - a true example of a classic drink with an alcohol content of 70%, a bright taste and a subtle aroma of anise, almonds, cinnamon and herbs.

Black absinthe

Sometimes it has a brown tint. The peculiarity of black absinthe is not only in its color, but also in its composition. If in the production of other types of drink the inflorescences and leaves of wormwood are used, then the roots of this plant are also used here. In addition, in most cases black acacia Catechu is also used, adding berry notes and sweetness to the taste.

On a note! Despite the fact that black brands are considered to be the strongest, they are characterized by a fairly mild taste. We also note that sometimes the drink is given a rich black color using dyes.

The clearest example of this type of drink is Absinthe Black Tunel, which is made exclusively from natural ingredients.

Video – Black absinthe “Antonio Nadal”, Spain

Yellow absinthe

The amber-like color of this type of absinthe is often achieved by using the same food colorings. Although there are exceptions: an old green drink of high quality can turn yellow. After a few months, its color may change and become yellowish, because the breakdown of chlorophyll occurs quite quickly (here we can draw an analogy with leaves turning yellow with the onset of autumn).

One of the most popular yellow brands is Absinth King of Spirits - an excellent Czech drink, “the best and most expensive on the planet,” as the creators themselves say. This type of absinthe is distinguished by the fact that it is produced strictly according to classical technology, and everything is done entirely by hand.

The "Spirit King" can be of two types:

• Absinth King of Spirits Original (thujone not more than 10 mg/kg);
• Absinth King of Spirits Gold (about 100 mg/kg, respectively).

Red absinthe

A very tasty drink that gets its attractive color from the use of pomegranate extracts. These extracts, by the way, also give an original and piquant aftertaste. In some cases, as you probably already guessed, the red color is obtained using dyes (what’s more, they are used even more often than natural extracts).

A great example is Absinthe Red Tunel, which is approximately 70% ABV.

Blue absinthe

A blue (or blue) drink is no different in its properties from a traditional green drink, except that dyes (artificial or natural) and, less often, flavorings are added to it. But this does not affect the taste in any way. Touch-up is used for purely aesthetic purposes. As a rule, such absinthe is used for cocktails.

The Green Fairy can also be transparent. This type is considered the highest quality, since no suspensions or leaves are added at the intermediate stage of production.

It remains to add that color, even if it sometimes affects taste, can hardly be considered a determining criterion. He does not talk about the quality or freshness of the drink. Therefore, when choosing one or another option from numerous brands and types of absinthe, you should not pay attention only to the color - you need to take into account other factors, as well as give preference to well-known brands, since they are less likely to disappoint the end consumer.

Types of drink by strength

Depending on the strength, the following types of drink are distinguished:

• strong (from 55% to 65%); this includes varieties produced in Spain, the Czech Republic and France, containing wormwood extract and a little thujone (the latter may not be present at all);
• extremely strong (from 70% to 85%): produced in Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic; predominantly natural varieties made using traditional technology (infusion + distillation).

Types of drink based on thujone content

According to this criterion, absinthe can be:

• low in thujone (about 1.5-10 mg/l); this group includes most of the European brands;
• with high content (from 25 mg/l to 100 mg/l); some varieties produced mainly in the Czech Republic and Switzerland;
• without thujone - French Absente, Swiss Logan Fils, although most of these are liqueurs that only imitate true absinthe.

Popular brands of the Green Fairy

There are more than a hundred brands of absinthe, so we will look at only the most popular ones. For the convenience of visitors, the information is presented in table form.

Table. Popular types of absinthe

Name	Short description
Xenta	A popular Spanish drink, which was one of the first to appear for free sale on the domestic market. Produced according to a recipe created over two hundred years ago. It has a light transparent color with apple and lime notes. The concentration of thujone does not exceed 10 mg/l, although many believe that artificial dyes are used in the manufacture of Xenta. Be that as it may, this species has many fans.
Xenta Superior	A premium dark green drink, distinguished by the fact that each bottle contains a sprig of wormwood. With a strength of 70%, it contains about 35 mg/l of thujone. The aroma is perfectly balanced, the taste combines herbs harmoniously. As for artificial additives, they are not used at all. During production, absinthe is filtered using a special technology, which the manufacturer keeps in the strictest confidence.
	An extraordinary red drink created by the Czechs as a tribute to the modern fickle world. Became very popular in Prague nightclubs. Absinth Red has a strength of 60% and contains a maximum of 10 mg/l thujone. It is rightfully considered a true Czech drink.
Tunel	A classic version made in Spain. The concentration of thujone is the same as its red counterpart, but the strength is 70%. Various herbs and other plant materials are used in production, but all proportions are kept secret. The aroma of the drink is aniseed, there are notes of cinnamon, almond and herbs. The taste sensations after drinking are strong and bright.
Fleur de Lys	The name is translated from French as “lily flower”. The drink itself has a pure emerald green color and is prepared according to an ancient recipe from the nineteenth century (it was then that the popularity of the “Green Fairy” reached its highest peak) in the Czech Republic. The concentration of thujone is about 10 mg/l, and the strength is 70%.
	Can be blue, emerald, black, red or transparent. The drink is made in Spain, its strength ranges from 70-85%, while the concentration of thujone is standard - 10 mg/l. The taste of the drink is fresh, you can smell wormwood and anise.
King of Spirits	The previously mentioned product is considered one of the highest quality and most expensive on the planet. Country of origin: Czech Republic. At a strength of 70%, the concentration of thujone can be 10-100 mg/l. Only natural raw materials are used in production, thanks to which absinthe has a delicious taste and is simply extremely popular.
Teichenne	A traditional drink produced in the Czech Republic and Spain. Its alcohol content is average - 70%, thujone concentration - a maximum of 10 mg/l. The whole secret of excellent taste lies in the precise proportions of natural ingredients. The name translates as “current”.
	High-quality Catalan miracle potion of green color with a strength of 55%. The taste is milder than other types. The concentration of thujone is standard (10 mg/l).
Hill's	A common elite type of “Green Fairy”, made in the Czech Republic. The concentration of thujone and strength are the same as the previous type. Emerald color, herbal taste. It is made from wormwood extract and other ingredients - anise, lemon balm, juniper, etc.

The world of alcoholic beverages is rich and extremely diverse. There is so much to please drinkers and people who simply want to relax. Fragrant foam, noble sparkling wine, magnificent wines, sizzling white wine, sweet and tasty liqueurs. And how many alcoholic drinks there are that came to us from overseas countries, incomprehensible, sometimes even frightening and alluring with their unusualness. One of these alcohols is absinthe, a unique alcohol based on wormwood.

The bright, green alcoholic drink is extremely popular and known almost everywhere. Absinthe is an amazing alcohol. Created from a variety of medicinal herbs, it is famous for its healing abilities. But this is alcohol, and alcohol is strong, so before you try to introduce it into everyday life and expect some therapeutic miracles, you should get to know it better.

Absinthe is a unique green alcoholic drink with an unusual history.

This green alcoholic drink has an amazing and curious origin. The main component in this alcohol is wormwood. This herb was actively used for treatment back in ancient times. She was especially respected by healers from Greece and Egypt. Wormwood tinctures were used to treat anemia, rheumatism, manifestations of hepatitis, and fight various infections..

But ancient wormwood liqueurs differed significantly from modern absinthe. There are several legends about its modern origin. According to one version of its origin, green alcohol was invented by the Enrio sisters, who lived in the 18th century. The sisters called the new tincture Bon Extrait d’Absinthe, and it was intended for the treatment of many diseases.

Other sources tell about a French doctor, scientist Pierre Ordiner, who lived and worked for some time in the beautiful Swiss town of Cove. The healer actively used wormwood tincture in his medical practice. The successful physician managed to popularize the unusually colored drink and introduce it to the masses.

It was thanks to the French doctor Pierre Ordiner that absinthe became a popular alcoholic drink.

What is the name of the green alcohol that was sold in those distant times and later became the famous absinthe? The first absinthe was offered for sale in small bottles with the image of a beautiful girl and it was called La Fee Verte, which translated sounded like “the green fairy.”

Absinthe is made from medicinal herbs and plants

Beginning of popularization

After some time, a certain French entrepreneur, Ordiner’s compatriot Henri Dubier, bought the recipe for the drink from the doctor. Thanks to the efforts of Dubier and his friend Henri Louis Pernot, the first line for the mass production of wormwood alcohol was opened. The first absinthe production plant began operating in Switzerland, and after a very short time, almost the whole world learned about the unusual color of alcohol.

In the modern alcohol industry, the Pernod trademark is still preserved, under whose auspices absinthe is produced.

Absinthe modern

Green alcohol gained real popularity thanks to military operations in northern Africa. Wormwood alcohol successfully helped French soldiers cope with various ailments - after all, the hot tropics gave the French an abundance of dangerous infections. The plant tincture perfectly protected warriors from the threat of intestinal disorders due to the consumption of dirty water. The soldiers, accustomed to absinthe, continued their habit in peacetime.

Absinthe owes its unique qualities to thujone, an ingredient found in wormwood.

After the end of the African war, the popularity of green alcohol grew rapidly, and not a single French zucchini could do without wormwood tincture. Absinthe has overtaken wine, the national drink of the French, in popularity. At that time, the name “green hour” (the period from 17 to 19 pm) was even introduced into use. It was at this time that one was supposed to relax with a glass of absinthe.

And even then, wormwood tincture also gained notoriety - because of its strength. Cases of mental disorders and schizophrenia began to be reported in people who revered absinthe and could not do without it every day. But this is not surprising, given that the strength of wormwood tincture reached 70%.

Absinthe is a threat to the body

Green alcohol actually differs in its effects from the usual state of alcoholic intoxication. Consuming this amazing drink gives an effect akin to mild drug intoxication. Euphoria, a charge of vivacity and lightness - it is for this reason that absinthe has become the most popular among people in creative professions - artists, writers and poets.

The explanation for this effect is easy to explain by remembering that absinthe is made from wormwood. And this herb contains one substance - thujone. In small quantities, thujone has healing powers, but an excess of it turns the compound into a dangerous poison. Of course, after all the technological processes, absinthe has significantly reduced this danger.

Indeed, in addition to the main ingredient - wormwood, the drink also includes a number of other plants. In particular:

• mint;
• anise;
• angelica;
• liquorice;
• Melissa;
• chamomile;
• fennel;
• veronica;
• coriander;
• parsley;
• white ash.

By the way, absinthe can be not only emerald. This color is considered classic. But on sale there is wormwood drink of crimson, amber and even black frightening color. The color of the drink does not affect the strength or effect at all..

1. Amber absinthe. It has a mild and pleasant taste. Of all the types, this wormwood tincture is considered elite and the purest - after all, in the process of its production, double distillation and purification are used.
2. Ruby absinthe. The drink gets this color thanks to pomegranate, which is included in the composition. This type of alcohol is distinguished by its original aftertaste.
3. Black absinthe. And the alcohol gets this frightening and extremely unusual color due to the fact that in its production it is not the leaves of wormwood that are used, but the roots of the plant. Black acacia tincture is also added to the ingredients, which gives the alcohol an unusually sweet taste.

If the strength of wormwood tincture falls below 55%, it no longer has the right to be called absinthe. After all, it is the high strength that helps retain essential oils and other substances in the alcohol, which create a unique effect from its consumption.

Emerald alcohol is prohibited

After some time, absinthe's reputation as a dangerous and poisonous drink was firmly established. In part, wormwood tincture acquired such a negative reputation due to changes in technological processes. Manufacturers, driven by fashion, began to include antimony and nickel oxides in the drink. They gave absinthe a mystical shimmering hue with opalescent flecks, which was considered extremely popular in those days.

In modern absinthe, the thujone content is regulated

The deterioration of the reputation was also influenced by the huge number of alcoholics addicted to daily consumption of absinthe. The first country to impose a strict taboo on green alcohol was Belgium. Then alcohol was banished from France. The drink was subjected to such persecution until modern times. Only in 2004 was absinthe amnestied, but with the condition that modern producers of the legendary drink would strictly control the thujone content.

According to modern regulations, the concentration of thujone in absinthe should not exceed 10 mg/kg. This level turned out to be 10 times lower than in the potion that was made previously.

Drinking culture of the legend

Absinthe is an extremely strong drink, plus it has a characteristic, specific bitterness. Therefore, you should not try to drink wormwood tincture in its pure form. It’s better to familiarize yourself with some techniques that will help you join the world of legendary alcohol.

Method 1 (French)

We will need a tall and narrow glass. It should be filled 1/5 with absinthe. A special spoon is placed on top of the edge of the glass, created specifically for drinking absinthe. In its shape it looks like a small spatula with holes. Lump sugar is placed on top of it, and mineral water (or regular cold water) is carefully poured through it into the glass.

When preparing absinthe, special spoons are used

The glass is completely filled with water. Ideally, the sugar will dissolve completely when adding water. By the way, when sweet syrup is mixed with alcohol, etherols are actively released, which gives the drink a white color with a greenish-yellow tint. Absinthe prepared in this way is drunk in one gulp..

Method 2 (Czech)

Its peculiarity is the use of the reverse sequence in the preparation of the legendary drink. That is, water is poured into the glass first. Then an absinthe spoon with lump sugar is placed. And the absinthe itself is poured very slowly, literally drop by drop, into the glass.

Method 3 (Polish)

The most spectacular. Wormwood tincture is poured into a glass. A piece of sugar is generously soaked in alcohol and placed on a spoon. Sugar soaked in alcohol is set on fire; when melted, the sugar gradually flows through the holes in the spoon into a container with absinthe. Lastly, cold water (or mineral water) is poured. It can be replaced with natural juice from any citrus fruit.

One of the ways to prepare absinthe

Method 4 (Russian)

It is considered the most unique and difficult method of preparing a drink.. It can be mastered by those people who want to get a sharp, unforgettable experience. The procedure is as follows (you need to prepare two glasses):

1. Absinthe is poured into one glass and set on fire.
2. The burning container is covered with a second glass.
3. As soon as the liquid goes out, the glasses are turned over and the alcohol is poured into the second glass.
4. The remaining container (where the alcohol was originally burned) is covered with a napkin.

When drinking, first take a sip of absinthe, and then, using a cocktail straw, inhale the aroma from a glass covered with a napkin. The resulting effect, according to reviews, is simply amazing.

What is absinthe taken with?

In its classic version, green alcohol is best not washed down or taken as a snack. Experts say that this unique drink should simply be enjoyed. But it is worth noting that some fruits go perfectly with absinthe, especially oranges, cherries, and apples. They perfectly soften the natural bitterness of alcohol and give it an additional light and refreshing fruity aroma.

Don't forget about the danger

Absinthe gained legendary fame for a reason. Do not forget about its specific effect on the body. If you overdo it with green alcohol, the effect can be completely different, dangerous and unpredictable. In particular, symptoms such as:

• convulsions;
• hallucinations;
• blurred vision;
• aggressive seizures;
• epileptic seizures;
• depressive symptoms;
• nervous system disorders;
• severe, headache-bursting migraines;
• inadequacy and inexplicability of actions;
• loss of sensitivity (a person stops feeling pain).

The main culprit for this change in reality and the manifestation of inadequate reactions of the body is thujone. Of course, this does not mean that someone who has had too much absinthe will necessarily face such frightening consequences. Much depends on the individual characteristics of the person.

In the practice of narcologists, the addiction provoked by absinthe is called “absinthe syndrome.”

It is worth remembering that thujone, which is part of wormwood, has narcotic properties, especially when taken in excessive doses. This is a strong and destructive poison, the power of which is better not to be tested. Alcohol requires a competent and reasonable approach. And a drink like absinthe should be treated with extreme caution.

In contact with

So, we should talk about such an unusual drink as absinthe. The composition is the first way it differs from the rest. It is not for nothing that absinthe has been attributed healing properties since ancient times, at first considering the green liquid a cure for many ailments, and then as a drink for drug addicts, which could cause hallucinations.

History of the drink

There is information about absinthe dating back to the distant 16th century BC! Then in Ancient Egypt they made a drink made from wormwood flowers and leaves, previously soaked in alcohol. Sometimes it was replaced with wine. Absinthe was used to treat various ailments, and it really did help. But the name of the drink most likely comes from the ancient Greek word “apsinthion”. Interestingly, when translated it means “undrinkable.” This drink was probably considered such because of its taste. In ancient Greece, absinthe was used as a medicine for infertility, rheumatism, female pain, anemia and jaundice. By the way, this drink was given to the winner of chariot races. Why absinthe and not wine? It's all about its bitter taste - the winner was thus supposed to feel the “bitterness” of glory.

Ingredients

Today, theoretically, anyone can prepare absinthe - its composition is no secret. In general, it is believed that this drink is an ordinary tincture made on the basis of bitter wormwood and alcohol. However, everything is much more complicated, and there are more ingredients. Well-known manufacturers also add lemon balm, anise, fennel extracts and other herbal additives. But if we talk about the absinthe recipe, then the “starting” composition of the products looks like this: ethyl alcohol of the highest quality, wormwood and herbs (this can be calamus, fennel, chamomile, anise, coriander, licorice, angelica and even parsley). All of the listed ingredients can be easily purchased in pharmacies or stores; the main thing is to purchase high-quality products and not add anything that could go poorly with wormwood and alcohol.

Modern production

Nowadays, absinthe, the composition of which is known to every person interested in making alcohol, is one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the whole world. It is produced almost everywhere - in Holland, Spain, Switzerland, France, Germany, the Czech Republic. And they produce completely different drinks everywhere. So, for example, in France they don’t use wormwood - they replace it with bergenia. The strongest absinthe can be tasted in the Czech Republic - it has the highest thujone content. Swiss drinks come next in strength. And only then - German and Spanish. If we compare it with Czech absinthe, in which the thujone content is about 100 mg/kg, then in these it is only 30 mg/kg - almost three and a half times less. However, it should be noted that both the first and second doses are safe for human health (of course, if you do not drink absinthe in bottles, because there should be moderation in everything). After all, previously this drink was not purified from substances such as monoterpine and thujone at all.

The Myth of Hallucinations

As you can already understand, absinthe is a drink with a very interesting composition. And, continuing the topic of containing such a substance as thujone, I would like to talk about the properties of the “green fairy,” as it is also called. So, the first thing to note is the strength of absinthe - it is at least 55% of the revolutions. The maximum rate can reach 85%. But the strength does not affect hallucinations. It's all about monoterpine and thujone - these are substances similar in structure to narcotic drugs, but this is only an assumption that has not been scientifically proven. Moreover, today the drink is purified from these substances at the production stage. But, as they say, rumors do not grow in a vacuum. In the 50s of the distant 19th century, sober people became very concerned about the large consumption of absinthe by other people. It has been noted that constant and excessive abuse of this drink causes increased excitability and hallucinations. There was even one tragic incident in 1905 - a Swiss farmer, after drinking too much absinthe, shot his family. This incident spread throughout the media, and then even a term such as “absintheism” arose, meaning dependence on this drink.

Types of absinthe

Many people mistakenly believe that it can only be green. However, this is not true - today there are about a hundred different brands. Most of them are produced in very limited quantities. Therefore, we should talk about the most common ones. Green absinthe is a classic option. This is the natural color of this drink, and was discussed earlier. There is also a yellow version. An example of such absinthe is the Czech “King of Spirits”. The producers themselves say that this is the best drink of this class in the world. And the most expensive. It is made exclusively by hand, using exclusive technology. There is also red absinthe - usually pomegranate extract is added to it, which determines its color. And finally, the most extravagant - black absinthe. For its production, it is not the inflorescences and leaves of wormwood that are used, but its roots. Black acacia infusion is also added to the composition - it also helps to set off the drink.

How to make a drink

Many people want to cook it at home. To get the desired result, you must strictly follow the absinthe recipe. It is worth remembering that distillation requires equipment and appropriate conditions, plus (preferably) experience. If you have all this, you can start. To prepare Swiss absinthe from Montpellier, you will need two kilograms of dried bitter wormwood (be sure to separate from the stems), six kilograms of anise, 4 kg of fennel, 1 kg of coriander, 0.5 kg of angelica seeds and 95 liters of high-quality alcohol intended for making alcohol. For convenience, these proportions are indicated for one hundred liters of finished absinthe (required to prepare one liter can be calculated based on the given data). Plant substances must be soaked in edible alcohol, then add a little water and distill everything in a distiller. This must be done until there is no liquid left. To color the future drink, you need to take 10 grams of Roman wormwood (peeled and dried), the same amount of hyssop and half a teaspoon of lemon balm. All this is placed in a steam bath or in a colorator along with the distillate. The mixture should heat up to 50 degrees. After this, the liquid must be cooled and poured through the filter. After this, the solutions are combined and diluted with water until 74% turnover is obtained. This is how absinthe is made. The composition is the most important thing, you need to follow it, then you will be able to make the right drink. It is worth remembering that absinthe must be allowed to brew for 1-2 months.

How to drink absinthe

Absinthe receives quite varied reviews from people who have tried it, but in general they are positive. In any case, lovers of strong drinks are delighted with it. Recently, drinks made with the addition of absinthe have become popular. The so-called “extreme cocktails” are very popular. They literally “blow your head off.” This is understandable, because the combination of champagne, absinthe and grenadine cannot affect a person in any other way. If you want to enjoy the drink in a “classic” way, then you need to pour a little absinthe into a glass, put a spoon with a piece of sugar on the edge of the glass (there are special ones with holes), and then start pouring cold water over the sugar in a thin stream. The best ratio for such a cocktail is 1:5 (absinthe to water). Sometimes freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice is added to the drink.

Absinthe effect

And finally, we should talk about how a drink like absinthe affects a person. The composition has a very interesting effect on the body. Firstly, after drinking absinthe, a person begins to see worse - everything becomes somewhat blurry. Secondly, there is a feeling of softness in the body; sometimes, if you drink too much, a person cannot even control his movements. However, what is most interesting is that he does not feel drunk, maintaining a fairly sober mind. Although for some, this drink, on the contrary, causes a surge of energy.