According to one version, the homeland of absinthe is Switzerland, although wormwood insisted on alcohol in ancient Egypt. Legends are written about this drink, they are afraid of it, and in some countries it is banned. Thanks to the notoriety of thujone, someone believes that its use leads to dementia and even schizophrenia. What is color alone, and most often it is emerald. This is truly a “green serpent”, although more often absinthe is called a “green fairy”. The question of what absinthe is drunk with is of interest to many. It is worth highlighting the main points associated with the drink.
A drink for bohemia
Representatives of Bohemia loved it to drink: writers, artists, poets. It was believed that intoxication from absinthe contributes to creativity. The drink is very strong, most often contains about 75% alcohol. At one time they thought that the psyche suffers from absinthe, and a person in a state of abscess intoxication becomes extremely aggressive, capable of killing. Later the drink was acquitted.
In the 19th century, absinthe was very popular in France. They drank it simply in huge quantities. The quality of the alcohol was extremely low. And excessive consumption really led to personality disorders. Today absinthe is completely rehabilitated, but the sediment remains. The potion is still surrounded by mystery. So with what do they drink absinthe? To answer this question, it is necessary to discuss those methods that were invented for its use.
A large number of different ways to drink
There are many different ways to use absinthe. There are real connoisseurs who collect recipes for the
drink, cocktails from it. They know how to distinguish a fake, they know how to drink absinthe so as to maximize the aroma of the herbs on which he insisted. These absinthe lovers call themselves absinthe. So how to use absinthe?
Czech, French and Russian methods: use of sugar
For example, the Czech method. On the edge of a glass with thick walls, put a spoon for absinthe. Put a piece of refined sugar on it. Slowly pour a portion of absinthe through sugar, and then set fire to the refined sugar. We must wait until the caramel flows into a glass. After add three servings of cold water.
French method. This method is also called "sugar". Pour one portion of absinthe into a glass. Put a spoon for absinthe on the edge of the glass. Put a piece of refined sugar on it. Pour three servings of water into a glass through sugar. The water should be very cold, almost icy. The absinthe spoon has many openings so that the sugar syrup flows freely into the glass. A glass for absinthe and a spoon are a very good gift for lovers of all sorts of culinary special effects.
What is absinthe drunk with according to the Russian method? All the same with sugar. This method of drinking is less effective than French. Sugar is mixed with water in another glass, and then added to absinthe. The ratio of absinthe and water is 1: 3.
Mixing with water and drinking in pure form
The two-glass method is based on diluting the drink. What is diluted with absinthe according to this method? Of course with water. A small glass with absinthe is placed in a wide glass. Then we begin to slowly pour water into the glass. Water with absinthe is poured into a glass until the mixture becomes a uniform color.
Do not know what absinthe is drunk with? You can drink it in its pure form, if you are a brave person. Previously, it needs to be cooled and drunk heavily in portions of 30 g each. It is good to have a slice of lemon to kill the bitter taste. Absentier scornfully refers to this method. So the French workers drank in the 19th century. Then alcoholism became epidemic-wide. And since grape wines at that time were a very expensive pleasure, workers drank cheap cheap low-quality absinthe. Of course, then the use of absinthe was not accompanied by any ritual, so this method is somewhat offensive to absentee who are accustomed to treat the drink with great respect.
The method of drinking a drink that young people prefer
The "citrus" method. What can you drink absinthe in this case? With lemon or orange. This method has recently become very popular among young people. He is rightfully considered part of the club culture. First you need to prepare a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. A slice of lemon or orange (preferably an orange) roll in a sugar-cinnamon mixture. Pour absinthe into a glass with thick walls and set fire. In this case, the wall thickness is fundamentally important. A slice of orange should be taken with tongs and held over a fire so that the juice with caramel flows into a glass. To juice stood out more abundantly, the clove should be slightly squeezed. Then you have to put out the absinthe. Wait a little while it cools down so that there is no burn, then drink. Chew sugar crystals with cinnamon.
Harsh and barbaric methods
Harsh method. We take four parts of chilled absinthe in a glass with thick walls. Set on fire. On a absinthe spoon put a piece of refined sugar. We hold a spoon over the fire. The sugar melted and then crystallized at the bottom should occupy a volume equal to one part. It is necessary to extinguish the flame and quickly drink through a cocktail tube. The bottom line is the transition from an ice drink from the bottom to scorching hot from the surface. The volume of a glass is limited only by the courage of the consumer. But no more than 100 g is recommended. For this method, the wall thickness of the glass is important so that it does not burst, and the quality of the cocktail tube so that it does not melt. And, of course, moderation in use.
The "programmer" method. This method is a bit barbaric. Absinthe in a glass is set on fire. You should wait until he burns out. Wait a little for it to cool. Drink in one gulp, bite with anything, drink with water.
The parachute method. This method completely repeats the method of drinking sambuca, where after drinking a heated drink, you still need to breathe in pairs of alcohol and essential oils.
Does the drink cause hallucinations?
Generally speaking, the hallucinogenic effect of thujone has not been proven. Nevertheless, absinthe believes that the use of absinthe slightly changes the perception of reality, causes excitement, and in some, hallucinations. Thujone alone in high doses can cause seizures. However, its content in absinthe is so small that it makes such an effect unrealistic. Absinthe is a very strong drink, and the essential oils that are contained in it in huge quantities mask the taste of alcohol. Thus, everything again comes down to moderation of use. In other words, you should well consider all of the above methods.
Drink absinthe or not? What do France think about it
In 2000, the French company La Fee provided the Senate with a complete set of documents that set out convincing evidence of the absinthe's harmlessness. The issue was considered during the year, after which the ban on production, sale and use in France was lifted. Before that, absinthe was banned for a hundred years. Now there is even a tradition to bring a bottle of "green fairy" from a trip to France.
Now you know how to drink absinthe. I hope that this review helped to understand this issue. Everyone will be able to independently decide what is best to drink absinthe, guided by the above methods.