Absinthe United States

Absinthe the cherished drink of artists, intellectuals, and writers of nineteenth century Europe has produced an excellent comeback as most countries under western culture have now legalized the development and sale of absinthe. No drink in the history of modern man has received as many sobriquets as absinthe has. “The Green Fairy”, the “Green Muse” and “La Fee Verte” these are just a couple of sobriquets this famous yet controversial drink has been the recipient of.

Absinthe was the favourite drink of the nineteenth century Europe and had obtained considerable following in the United States as well. It was created by the French doctor Dr. Pierre Ordinaire in 1792 in Switzerland and was initially utilized to treat several stomach ailments. Absinthe had very high alcohol content and comprised extracts of various herbs like wormwood, anise, fennel, hyssop, angelica root, veronica, mint, coriander, calamus, star anise, and many other. The primary absintheflavoring ingredient was the herb wormwood; wormwood contains thujone a chemical that has mild toxic properties. Absinthe soon grew to become a famous alcoholic drink and separate distilleries were set up on France and other parts of Europe to distill this fine liquor. However, due to the high alcohol content and supposed unique effects, absinthe soon got a bad name. There was a massive campaign carried out during the temperance movement in Europe, and absinthe was so demonized that ultimately by the start of the twentieth century it was forbidden by nearly all countries in Europe and United States. Thujone was blamed for absinthe effects just like insanity, hallucinations, and absinthism. Most countries passed laws that classified absinthe as a psychoactive substance.

Fortunately in the last few years of the 20th century, new research conducted by scientists using modern analytical tools conclusively proved that absinthe doesn’t contain harmful levels of thujone. In the light of such new discoveries most European countries lifted the ban imposed on absinthe. Absinthe continues to be illegal in the United States and it is a crime to make and then sell absinthe with thujone content more than 10 ppm. However, possession of absinthe is not a crime in the US.

United States allows the sale of two absinthes Lucid and Kubler, both absinthes are made using the traditional absinthe recipe and contain little thujone. These absinthes have a high alcohol content and thujone volume of 10 parts per million; however, this can not be deemed as true absinthe due to the low thujone content. These absinthe are available with a heavy price tag and a bottle would cost from $75 to $100. American absinthes are in reality watered down versions of genuine Swiss and other European absinthes.

Americans who wish to try genuine absinthe come with an easier choice of buying absinthe online from non-US producers; however, you will need to find a real good supplier who’ll deliver as promised. The most effective bet American citizens have is to obtain genuine top quality absinthe essence and prepare their unique absinthe at home. Absinthe essence is prepared using traditional absinthe recipes. 20ml of absinthe essence when blended with 730 ml of vodka or Everclear could make 750 ml of high quality absinthe.

There are several websites selling absinthe kits and essence on the net. The most trusted name is absinthekit.com; absinthekit.com focuses on absinthe essence, absinthe kits, absinthe artifacts just like spoons, glasses, absinthe labels, along with other absinthe accessories.