11 replies to this topic

[Tim Dolan]

I recently had a miserable weather weekend to myself and figure the best way to fortify myself would be to drink Sazeracs all weekend. I had a bottle of good bourbon but no absinthe, so in a moment of self indulgence I sprang for a $60 bottle of Vieux Carre so I could coat the inside of the glass. The obvious problem, of course, is that at this rate I have enough absinthe to last for a lifetime of Sazeracs. I could drink it the old fashioned way, but that would get boring quick. What to do with it all?

[radtek]

I've never heard of anyone cooking with it, though maybe you could use it in place of Pernod.

[EvergreenDan]

What to do with it all?

I'm fond of this from time-to-time. Crowd pleaser too, if your crowd likes craft.

2 to 2
by Stephan Cole, The Violet Hour, Chicago, IL
1 1/2 oz Aperol
1 oz Absinthe, Lucid
1 oz Lemon juice
1/4 oz Simple syrup
1 ds Orange bitters, Regans' orange bitters
1 twst Orange peel (flamed, as garnish)

Shake, strain, straight up, cocktail glass, garnish.

[Hassouni]

Given the price of absinthe, I'm rather glad that a little goes a long way....

[Tri2Cook]

I'm fond of this from time-to-time. Crowd pleaser too, if your crowd likes craft.

2 to 2
by Stephan Cole, The Violet Hour, Chicago, IL
1 1/2 oz Aperol
1 oz Absinthe, Lucid
1 oz Lemon juice
1/4 oz Simple syrup
1 ds Orange bitters, Regans' orange bitters
1 twst Orange peel (flamed, as garnish)

Shake, strain, straight up, cocktail glass, garnish.

I'm definitely going to have to try that one.

[radtek]

I've never had it due to unavailability but is its properties' reputation deserved? I would like to try absinthe...

[FrogPrincesse]

Other than the Sazerac, other cocktails that immediately come to mind are the Improved Whiskey Cocktail, the Corpse Reviver No. 2, the Rattlesnake, the French Pearl and also tiki cocktails with the Test Pilot or the 1934 Zombie.
See the Absinthe topic or MxMo XLVI (roundup part I and II) for more ideas.

You could also make absinthe cakes, absinthe ice cream, etc.

[EvergreenDan]

I've never had it due to unavailability but is its properties' reputation deserved? I would like to try absinthe...

There is no psychoactive effect, other than alcohol. It tastes like black licorice / fennel. If you like that flavor, get a bottle. I personally don't drink it often except as an ingredient. As a rinse, a bottle goes a long way, as the OP noted. If you like Pernod / Ricard, then definitely try a bottle. It is more interesting, less sweet, and higher in alcohol.

[radtek]

I've never had it due to unavailability but is its properties' reputation deserved? I would like to try absinthe...

There is no psychoactive effect, other than alcohol. It tastes like black licorice / fennel. If you like that flavor, get a bottle. I personally don't drink it often except as an ingredient. As a rinse, a bottle goes a long way, as the OP noted. If you like Pernod / Ricard, then definitely try a bottle. It is more interesting, less sweet, and higher in alcohol.

My suspicion. As an aperitif alcohol can have some potent affects on an empty stomach...

[Hassouni]

I can't remember off the top of my head (and too tired to look it up), but some French absinthe I had in the time after it was reintroduced in Europe but still banned in the States gave me a sort of clear-headed feeling for half an hour or so, then I was just left with a gigantic alcohol wallop for the rest of the night. There's no real "high" or "tripping" sensation though.

Ethanol by the way does have a psychoactive effect, that's what intoxication is!

[radtek]

I seem to remember that the wine industry in France was suffering due to the popularity of Absinthe. The infamously purported perils of the liquor were actually a result brought on by a smear campaign that ended with the banning of absinthe in 1914. Sounds familiar...

[Hassouni]

I seem to remember that the wine industry in France was suffering due to the popularity of Absinthe. The infamously purported perils of the liquor were actually a result brought on by a smear campaign that ended with the banning of absinthe in 1914. Sounds familiar...

Yep