ABSINTHE
Source: erowind

Absinthe is a green liquor, made by soaking wormwood (Artemesia absinthium) and other herbs in grain alcohol. Its psychoactive effects are the result of both a high alcohol content and the presence of thujone, the primary active ingredient in wormwood. The drink was popular in Europe and America in the 19th century before many countries outlawed it due to concerns about the health effects of thujone.

Because of the bitter taste of Absinthe, it is traditionally served poured over a perforated spoon full of sugar and then diluted with water. Another traditional method includes dipping the spoonful of sugar in the absinthe then lighting it on fire, the melting sugar drips into the Absinthe, lighting it on fire, only to be put out by adding water.

Price
Wormwood which contains thujone is difficult to find for sale inside the United States, but is available from suppliers in other countries, many of whom are willing to ship into the U.S. Prices depend on the brand and the thujone content, and can range from $10 a bottle to over $200 per bottle.

Law
Absinthe containing thujone is illegal to sell for human consumption in the United States. Some brands of absinthe are sold in the U.S. which contain no thujone and other absinthes are imported into the U.S. despite FDA regulations. It is not illegal to possess Absinthe, even if it contains thujone.

History
Elixirs resembling absinthe have existed for thousands of years. Pythagoras and Hippocrates both recommended Wormwood and Wormwood tinctures for a variety of ailments. Legend has it that the modern recipe for Absinthe was developed in 1792 by a French doctor named Pierre Ordinaire. A few years later, it made its way into the hands of Major Dubied and his nephew Henri-Louis Pernod, who developed several distilleries and were the first to produce modern Absinthe on a large scale.

Slang
The Substance: Green Fairy, Green Goddess, La Feé Verte

 

HOME