Live out your Bohemian fantasies by sipping on an Absinthe Drip or two this evening.
It’s the most romantic of notions, one that makes you sit back and dream of rainy, atmospheric skies over wet Parisian streets. Your early morning stroll through the cafés, seeing them filled with poets and surrounded by the wafting aroma of coffee and pastries, has filled your spirit with a vigor you never knew you had. And why not? It is 19th-century France, after all, and inspiration seems to be everywhere in Paris, from the art and music, even to the drinks.
And tonight’s concoction was very popular during that time and in that place, 1800s Paris. Poets, artists and revolutionaries alike would gather together around a table and talk about anything and everything, always with fiery passion. The drink of choice for many of these individuals was the Absinthe Drip, the controversial beverage of the legendary bohemians of yore.
Cold water dripped over a sugar cube into a glass of absinthe, sipped on through the night with wild and brilliant people… And with the recipe below, those experiences aren’t far away.
What is absinthe?
Absinthe is a complex-tasting cordial with a history that is just as deep and robust. In a nutshell, the bitter and licorice-tinged green anise liqueur is a high-proof product, and in tonight’s recipe is diluted by the water and sugar to make it a little easier to sip on. There’s a common misconception that you’ll hallucinate because of the wormwood present in absinthe and that’s why it was illegal, etc. but that is an urban legend. Absinthe doesn’t make you trip or have overwhelming psychoactive effects, and as a result is perfectly legal in many countries all over the world.
What is the best absinthe to use in an Absinthe Drip?
Depending on where you live you may have different options available to you, regarding absinthe. If you’re unsure what to buy, ask at your local liquor store, or even the bartender at your favorite watering hole. Some of the more well-known brands are St. George, Pernod and Parnasse, just to name a few.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces absinthe
- 1 sugar cube optional
- Ice-cold water to drip, around 5 ounces
Instructions
- Pour the absinthe into a chilled stemmed glass.
- Place a slotted spoon on the rim of the glass and set a sugar cube on top if desired.
- Slowly drip ice-cold water over the sugar cube. Continue until the absinthe turns cloudy.
- Stir the drink gently, taste and adjust with more water or sugar if needed. Enjoy!
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Take a stemmed glass of your choosing and chill it in the freezer for around 15 to 30 minutes before you plan on drinking. Place a slotted spoon over the glass after your absinthe is poured in, then the sugar cube on top of that, and start your cold water drip.
What is louching?
This is what happens to your Absinthe Drip, or any cocktail, when it turns milky, cloudy or opaque in color after water is added to it.
Other cocktails that use absinthe
Still curious about the spirit some call “The Green Fairy”? Wondering what other mixed tipples utilize the potent and powerful Artemisia absinthium? Let Twist & Toast gently guide you with a few recipes that require different levels of the emerald liqueur.
- Jet Pilot – A dash of absinthe helps make this Pilot soar.
- Maid In Cuba – Rinse your glass with absinthe before you enjoy this rum-based beverage.
- Corpse Reviver No. 2 – Another classic that starts with a strong absinthe rinse.
- A La Louisiane – A New Orleans creation, featuring a teaspoon of magic from “The Green Fairy”.
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