Absinthe is what? How to drink absinthe correctly? The recipe for absinthe

Absinthe is an alcoholic drink of green color, about which there are many legends. In some of them, it is regarded as a poison, and it is attributed to the ability to cause hallucinations. In other legends, the drink appears as something unusual, with a unique taste.

The invention of absinthe

Tinctures of wormwood used in ancient Egypt. At that time they were used as a medicine. And they were not available to everyone.

Ancient Greece also used tinctures of wormwood. Hippocrates recommended their use for jaundice, anemia and rheumatism.

But the ancient wormwood tinctures were still far from that drink, which is now called absinthe. There are several versions of his invention. According to one of them, the drink was invented by the sisters of Enrio at the end of the XVIII century. They gave the name "Bon Extrait d'Absinthe". Its use helped to cure many diseases.

But there is another version of the invention of this drink. According to her, at the end of the 18th century the French doctor Pierre Ordiner developed the absinthe recipe . At that time, he lived and worked in Switzerland, in a small village called Cove. The doctor used the tincture he invented to treat his patients. But there is an opinion that Ordiner did not invent anything new, but used the recipe of the sisters of Enrio. He managed to popularize the drink, so the invention of absinthe became associated with his name.

Tincture has become widespread. It was sold in small bottles. On the label was a girl with seductive shapes standing in a frivolous pose. The drink was called "La Fee Verte", which translates as "Green Fairy".

The beginning of absinthe production

A few years later businessman Henri Dubier bought a recipe for absinthe. He and his friend Henri-Louis Pernod set the world's first industrial production of the drink. Their small factory was opened in Switzerland.

The drink was popular and sold in large quantities. Therefore, after seven years, friends opened the second plant in French Pontarlier. Over time, this enterprise became the main center for the production of absinthe. The plant was named Pernod. The drink began to be produced in large quantities. His sales went around the world. By the way, this alcoholic drink is still produced under the trademark "Pernod".

Increased popularity of absinthe

But the real popularity for the drink came during the military operations in the north of Africa. A huge number of soldiers were drawn into the colonial war, deployed by France. Servicemen were exposed to African diseases. It turned out that absinthe green coped with them perfectly. He helped to overcome the ailments and was used for prevention.

In addition, it turned out that absinthe is an excellent remedy for getting rid of amoebas and microbes contained in dirty water. Thanks to this, the French soldiers escaped intestinal disorders. It can be said that absinthe helped them to capture African territories. After that, he became very popular in France. Soldiers, returning to their homeland, began to order a favorite drink in the cafe.

In the middle of the XIX century in Paris, there was no longer a question: "Absinthe is what?" After all, it became a familiar drink. It was perfectly normal to use absinthe at home before dinner as an aperitif or in the evening, to throw off the burden of day care. The period from 17 to 19 hours even began to be called a "green hour". At this time, it was supposed to drink a portion of the emerald drink and relax.

At the end of the XIX century, the popularity of absinthe reached its apogee. It began to be consumed as often as wine. And already in the beginning of XX century in France, absinthe bypassed him in popularity. A green drink was drunk more 6 times than wine.

Then the absinth was notorious. He began to be called a drink, driving mad and plunging into alcoholism. This is quite natural. After all, any substance can harm the body if it is used in unnecessary quantities. Therefore, those who drank absinthe uncontrollably began to experience cases of schizophrenia.

The effect of absinthe on the body

Indeed, a green drink produces a strange effect, which was so appreciated by writers and artists of the past. The explanation for this effect on the body is that absinthe is a tincture on wormwood. And this plant contains thujone. This substance in small quantities has medicinal properties, and in large quantities it becomes a poison. The technology of making absinthe reduces the harmful effect of thujone. It is worth noting that this substance is contained not only in wormwood. It is also present in sage, tansy, tuja.

Absinthe is an alcoholic drink, but the condition that causes its use is slightly different from usual intoxication. He gives great lightness, cheerfulness, euphoria.

Absinthe is banned

Over time, this drink has a bad reputation. The reason for this was the producers, who added to it oxides of copper, nickel, antimony. These substances gave the drink a shimmering color and an opal shade, which were considered fashionable at that time.

Alcoholics who use absinthe in unrestrained quantities, also influenced the deterioration of his reputation. Inadequate actions that caused the drink tincture, attributed to the effect of wormwood, forgetting that the composition includes and 70% alcohol. Absinth was blamed for all the craziness, not considering that any alcohol causes such an effect.

The first country that banned the use of the "accursed potion" was Belgium. It happened in the beginning of XX century. Then it was banned in a number of other countries, including France.

For a long time, the production, sale and use of absinthe were not allowed. Only in 2004 the laws banning the drink were abolished. But modern manufacturers are obliged to observe the norms of thujone content in absinthe. The amount of this substance should not exceed 10 mg / kg. This is ten times lower than in the "cursed potion" of the XIX century.

Drinking culture

Absinthe is a drink with a strong bitterness and a high strength. It contains about 70-80% alcohol. Some individuals believe that absinthe is a liqueur. They are wrong. To the question "absinthe is a liqueur or tincture" there is only one answer. It is absolutely obvious. Absinthe - wormwood tincture.

It is not customary to use it in its pure form. There are several options for how to correctly drink absinthe.

According to one of them, to make a portion of the drink you need a narrow and high glass. It must be filled with wormwood infusion into 1/5 part. A special spoon for absinthe is placed on the top of the glass. It looks like a miniature spatula with shaped holes. On it is placed lump sugar. Through it a thin trickle of cold water is poured. You can use a regular mineral water. Water should be poured to the edge of the glass. Ideally, during this process sugar should dissolve. A glass of cooked absinthe is drunk at a salvo.

The Czech method assumes the reverse sequence in the preparation of the drink. So, at first the cold water pours into the glass. Then a spoon for absinthe with a piece of sugar on top is set on its edges. Through it, a wormwood infusion is poured in a drop.

There is a third way to prepare the drink. Absinthe is poured into the glass. A piece of sugar is wetted in it. It is placed on a spoon and ignited. Melting, the sugar drains into a glass. In the end, cold water is added. If desired, it can be replaced with citrus juice.

Absinthe from the store

Today, quite a lot of absinthe brands are produced. It is not easy to understand them. It is recommended to avoid absinthe with an alcohol content of less than 70%. After all, just such a percentage does not allow the essential oils to decay. In wormwood tincture with an alcohol content of 45%, dyes are usually added. Thus, a good absinthe is one that contains at least 70% alcohol.

There are emerald drinks in bottles labeled with "thujone-free". This indicates that there is no thujone in the composition. Therefore, this is not an infusion of wormwood, but an imitation. Such drinks consist of dyes, sweeteners, flavors, which create the illusion of absinthe.

When buying, pay attention to the content of thujone. Its recommended amount is 10 mg / kg. However, in some stores you can find absinthe with the excess of the content of this rule. Such drinks should be consumed with caution, not more than two glasses a night.

Classification of absinthe by color

The classical color of the drink is green. Such absinthe is present in the product line of each manufacturer. Its shades can range from light green to emerald.

Absinth of amber color is characterized by a mild taste. It is considered an elite drink, because in the process of production it is subjected to double cleaning.

Absinthe ruby color - wormwood tincture with pomegranate extract. It has an original aftertaste.

Absinthe is also dark brown. During the preparation of this drink, wormwood roots are used, and not leaves. The infusion of black acacia is added to it. In the taste of this drink there are sweet tones.

Classification of absinthe by fortress

Absinthe is a very strong drink. This is because the high concentration of alcohol keeps the essential oils in a dissolved form.

Absinthe is produced with a strength of 55 - 65%. In such a drink, the thujone content is very low. Sometimes, he is generally absent in the composition. This fortress belongs to the French, Czech, Spanish varieties of absinthe. When preparing a drink, as a rule, wormwood extract is used.

A drink with an alcohol content of 70-85% is produced by Italian, French, Swiss, Czech, Spanish producers. Such absinthe is a real wormwood tincture, but with an adjustment of the content of thujone to the euronorm.

Preparation of absinthe

Drink can not only be bought in a supermarket, but also prepared independently. It's pretty simple.

To make absinthe, you need a distiller, alcohol and fresh wormwood. These are the main components. The process has several options.

According to the recipe of Odinier-Pernod, in addition to wormwood, fennel and anise are also used. Herbs are soaked in alcohol and left for 7-10 days. Then everything boils in the distiller. The resulting alcohol with infusion of herbs can be flavored. This is achieved by adding the essence of mint or other herbs. Finally, the drink is filtered and bottled.

According to the recipe of 1855, to obtain 1 liter of absinthe it will be required:

• Leaves of wormwood - 25 g;
• Anise seeds - 50 g;
• Fennel seeds - 50 g;
• Alcohol 85% - 950 ml.

Leaves and seeds are soaked in alcohol and left for a period of at least 7 days. Then 450 ml of water are added to them. The resulting mixture is distilled through a distiller. This should be done until there is nothing left in the bulb except herbs and seeds. The amount of the distillate at the outlet is 950 ml. It must be filtered through a napkin. The drink is ready.

The use of absinthe

The use of tinctures in small amounts has a beneficial effect on the functioning of our body. Absinthe is what? It's a drink made with medicinal herbs.

Its use helps to relax, relieves fever and inflammation, dilates blood vessels, improves appetite. Absinthe can be used as a disinfectant, antispasmodic, anticonvulsant. Its use helps in the prevention of viral diseases.

The harm of absinthe

The use of this drink in moderate amounts can not cause harm to health. However, excessive infatuation with it can have sad consequences. Absent contains thujone, a poisonous substance. When it enters the human body in excess quantities, a general excitement arises, consciousness changes. Perhaps even the appearance of hallucinations. But in tinctures produced by well-known manufacturers, the amount of thujone is strictly controlled.

In addition, do not forget that absinthe is an alcoholic drink. Excessive use of it can result in a banal hangover syndrome.

Myths about absinthe

About the mysterious drink there are many myths. Here are some of them.

• Absinthe is only green. This statement is an error. Emerald green absinthe is a classic version of the drink. But also produced yellow, red, brown varieties.
• The use of absinthe destroys the cells of the brain. It is not true. The influence of wormwood tincture on the brain is equivalent to the effect of any other strong alcohol.
• The use of absinthe causes hallucinations. This statement is related to the thujone, which is part of the beverage. Indeed, in large quantities this substance causes hallucinations. But in modern absinthe its content is controlled by euronorms. If they are observed, the appearance of a hallucinogenic effect is impossible. Nevertheless, one should observe moderation in the use of absinthe, as well as any other alcoholic beverage.