Absinthe

Absinthe is a liquor which is named after a plant called "artemisia." Fourteen herbs are macerated in a grape spirit to create absinthe, including Hyssop, Mint, and Wormwood, which is the largest component. Absinthe is typically green colored, but can also be found in blue.

• First made by H. L. Pernod in 1797.

• May be served with water, but has a ritual.

• Ritual requires balancing a sugar cube on a special flat, pierced spoon suspended over a glass. Absinthe is poured over the sugar cube and into the glass.

• Absinthe made from wormwood contains a drug which has serious effects on the nervous system.^[1]

1. Larousse Gastronomique, (Clarkson Potter: New York, 2001). ISBN 978-0609609712 ↩︎