Absinthe: A Journey Through History

Subtitle 1: What is Absinthe?

Absinthe is an anise-flavoured spirit drink made from a variety of herbs and spices. The most popular of these herbs is the leaves and flowers of Artemisia absinthium (or grande wormwood), together with other herbs such as anise, mellisse, grande and petite wormwood, fennel, and hyssop. Absinthe is traditionally diluted with cold water and iced in a stemmed glass to form a louche, or cloudiness as the essential oils of the herbs dissolve within the liquid. Depending on the brand, an absinthe can be up to 72% alcohol.

The origin of absinthe is sometimes disputed, with some claiming that it originated in the Czech Republic and some saying it was concocted in Switzerland. What is known is that absinthe was first popularized after being introduced to the French market by Major Dubied and his son-in-law, Hernard-Louis Pernod in 1797.

Subtitle 2: The Rise and Fall of Absinthe

The popularity of absinthe surged in the 19th century and it became the drink of choice for many well-known figures such as Edgar Allen Poe, Vincent van Gogh, Oscar Wilde and Mark Twain. However, its notoriety started to grow when it became associated with certain behaviours, such as hallucinations, delirium and erratic behaviour, caused by its high alcohol content. This in turn led to its ban in many countries, including France in 1915, Switzerland in 1910, United States in 1912 and the United Kingdom in 1916.

Subtitle 3: The Slow Revival of Absinthe

The popularity of absinthe waned up until the 1980s, when the bans were slowly lifted and people began to reappraise it as a drink. In the last decade or so, absinthe has experienced a strong resurgence in popularity, particularly in Europe, and has become a popular ingredient in cocktails.

In recent years, further advances have been made to make absinthe safer and it is now produced under strict guidelines with minimum levels of thujone, the chemical found in wormwood which is believed to be responsible for many of the drink’s psychoactive effects.

Overall, absinthe has gone through a turbulent journey and its reputation still has some way to go before it is fully restored. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating and intriguing drink, with a rich history and cultural significance. Those who are interested in exploring this unique and bitter-sweet alcoholic beverage can taste a variety of products which are now available in specialist Absinthe Houses, bars and liquor stores.