Presto Change-O
That glass above looks innocent enough, doesn’t it?
You think it might be filled with water, don’t you?
But wait until you see what happens when I add some ice to it:
Holy moly, it turns from clear to milky white in a flash.
This far-from-innocent liquid is 106-proof Kubler Absinthe ($54). Yes, that rather mysterious high-octane spirit with the sordid history.
You might recall that absinthe had been illegal since 1912 because of supposed health concerns. It was thought that the chemical thujone, which is found in the herb wormwood (used in the making of absinthe), affected the brain. But that view has largely been debunked. Fortunately, for adventurous imbibers, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau made it legal again in 2007.
I’ve tried a couple of different absinthes since then. But I was most eager to try the Kubler one after a 2009 New York Times taste-test ranked it No. 1 among absinthes on the market.
Because the spirit is so potent, it’s usually diluted with ice and sugar to mellow it a bit.
Admittedly, I am not a fan of black licorice, yet I love the taste of fresh fennel. Some absinthes are quite licorice-y tasting, while others are more floral and herbal in nature.
I tried a sample bottle of the Kubler, which has been made in Switzerland since 1875. Absinthe was invented in Switzerland in 1740 by a Swiss doctor who prescribed it to his patients. For a time, it also became banned in Switzerland. But in 2004, the Swiss government overturned that ban and the Kubler company went back into business using its original recipe.
This particular liquor is distilled with wormwood, coriander, mint, anise and fennel.
The Kubler has a pronounced medicinal, anise flavor, with the other herbs playing a much more secondary role. Indeed, it’s definitely one of the more licorice-like absinthes I’ve had. With ice, the flavor turns softer and mellower. Though still quite bold with licorice, it remains smooth and nicely balanced.
Surprise your guests with shot glasses to try at your next dinner party as I’ve done in the past. It’s definitely a conversation-starter, a spirit that few may have had, but all will remember.
More Brands of Absinthe: Absinthe Verte
And Another: Le Torment Verte
Make Soup with Absinthe: Manhattan Bay Scallop Chowder with Fennel
Make Pasta with Absinthe: Drunken Clam Linguini
Reminds me of ouzo. According to Wikipedia, this “ouzo effect” or spontaneous emulsification is caused when anise-flavored liqueur is mixed with water forming a micro-emulsion. Kind of like an oil and water reaction. The rest of the explanation was far too scientific for my left-slanted brain.
Ah, absinthe. This one isn’t as olive-tinted as the other one you have huh? I know you don’t drink that much, so hopefully this sample bottle isn’t that big or else you have a lot of absinthe piling up in your cupboard. 🙂
I’ve never tried absinthe but it remains on my list…I have mixed feelings on black licorice but I bet I woiuld like this.
Cool . . so informative, I had no idea. I’ve never tried absinthe, actually. Heh heh, I also hate black licorice but love fennel.
Well, it would sure get things going at the Superbowl party!
There is wonderful devious mystique to absinthe that makes me feel so naughty and good about downing this libation. I certainly do love the unique fresh fennel flavors it adds to seafood dishes and stews. Needless to say, I’ll be testing out the brands you recommend. 🙂
I’ve yet to buy a bottle of absinthe to use at home, but I think it’s time I did!
Are you sure all will remember? I cannot imagine I’d remember much of anything after 106 proof drink! Yikes! Sounds very dangerous to me. Delicious but deadly.
Sophia: Wow, you’re good! “Spontaneous emulsification”! Who knew?? Thanks for the great explanation on the color change.
Single Guy Ben: For those of you who don’t know, Single Guy Chef has had the Absinthe Verte at my house. And Single Guy Chef can sure hold his liquor. The man actually preferred to drink the absinthe straight! Yup, with no ice to dilute it. Obviously, he has a strong liver. Of course, when I reminded him of this months later, he could barely remember the evening. So, OysterCulture, you just might have something there. 😉
I’ve never tried absinthe…
I have always been intrigued by absinthe but have never had it. I’ll have to move it onto my “must try” list… 🙂
I have always wanted to try this liquor because I LOVE black licorice. I do have a question, do you happen to know where I can purchase this in the San Francisco bay area? thanks
That was a really interesting read Carolyn! Sadly I’ve yet to experience Absinthe. A part of me is a little wary! lol
Absinthe is amazing. Kubler is one of the best, but I’m dying to try one of the tiny handmade varieties ( like Delaware Phoenix in the NYT a while back) to see what the difference is. The coolest thing about absinthe is the presto change-o… and using an antique absinthe glass and spoon to drink it! Great post!
Piee: You can find the Kubler Absinthe at BevMo. Might want to call ahead just to be sure it’s at the BevMo in your neighborhood or whether you might have to drive a little farther to a different BevMo to get your hands on it.
Lorraine: You can do it. I have faith in you. One tiny sip, and you’ll be glad you tried it at least once. 😉
I love the glasses. I’d drink anything that looked that pretty!
Ah, happy memories. The first time I experienced this effect was when I sat down for snacks with my first girlfriend’s dad and his friends. There is very little that could motivate me to drink a good Arak more than a room full of intimidating Lebanese men.
“See the color? MILK OF THE BULL!” they said. “Now, seriously, eat something or you’ll fall over.”
wow- I’ve neve seen clean absinthe before! Love the idea of using it in soup. Never thought of actually cooking with it before!! Ooh, the possibilities…
i really like absinthe but i admit i haven’t tried a great range of it as not many are stocked in England. We love it here but everytime anyone has the regular absinthe, it’s like WOA. and everyone suddenly hushes about. It’s not like we can get the hallucinating type here but it’s always a bit special isn’t it? 😀
In 2003 a Texas liquor importer named Dan Dotson began efforts to import absinthe from Kubler, a Swiss distillery. Because Kubler’s version of absinthe contained less than 10 parts per million of thujone, the element in wormwood that had kept absinthe off the market in the U.S. since 1912, it was given the green 🙂 light.
But the agency insisted that while the beverage Kubler had produced was legal, the word absinthe (along with the variations absynthe, absente, and absinth) was an “illicit drug term†that could not be used on the labels.
Eventually, the TTB softened its stance. Now absinthe can appear on the packaging, but only as a “fanciful term†modifying some other word. One can sell “absinthe verte†or “absinthe superieureâ€â€”but not plain old “absinthe.†And probably not “absinthe weed†either. Because of absinthe’s reputation as an illegal, mind-altering substance, the TTB continues to make marketing difficult for anyone interested in selling it.
According to the FDA, alcoholic beverages must be thujone-free pursuant to 21 CFR 172.510.
The term “absinthe” may not stand alone on the label; it must be accompanied by additional or dispelling information..
Is it the real deal or USA lite variety? What do you think…hmmmm…
JG: That is fascinating. You know, come to think of it, I never have seen the word, “Absinthe,” used alone on a label. No wonder! Though, one wonders if adding another word to it really does anything. I would think once people see the word, “Absinthe,” they’re just drawn to what’s inside the bottle solely because of the mystic surrounding the spirit. Cushioning its name hardly seems like it would discourage people or warn them off in any way. Ahhh, government at work…. 😉
Dear FoodGal, this is the first time I have visited your site and it is exceptional. I saw this post on Absinthe and was so excited to find someone else had written about it as well! I wanted to share something with you.
Here is a snipped from a chapter I wrote, dedicated to “The Little Green Fairy”, Ernest Hemingway’s, was said to have created a celebrity cocktail ritual: “Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these very slowly.â€
What foods would one pair with Absinthe?
Your insight and suggestions would be most insightful.
Sincerely, Gaby
You can visit me at http://ptsaldari.posterous.com
My first brush with absinthe was back in 2006 when I visited Germany for the world cup. like everything else about that trip.. great memories.
The stuff is lethal.
Chris: Should I dare ask how many you had? heehee
Gaby: “Drink three to five of these…”???? I think I would never walk again if I did that. Hah.
As for food pairings, I think the simpler the better. Absinthe has such a bold, pronounced taste that it’s not easy finding dishes that don’t clash or aren’t overwhelmed by it. The first time I tried Absinthe, I actually had it with oysters on the half shell. That worked pretty well, too, because the oysters have such a clean, bracing quality that let the Absinthe still shine through.
While I would love to try Absinthe, I’m easily knocked out by straight spirits. Perhaps I’ll start slowly – those absinthe-enhanced recipes sound wonderful. Drunken Clams and Noodle are a good match!
Nice, I had 5 of them in a night and can’t remember much. I would not recomment it! (having 5)