No thanks, I've got one 'ere' (Absinthe)

Member Name: janharper

Product:	Absinthe
Date:	06/06/01 (1149 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: gets you drunk

Disadvantages: makes you cut your ear off

Parisian Cafes of the nineteenth century were full of Green Fairies!

Perhaps I should rephrase that. French cafe society at that time enjoyed an absinthe, or two at any time of day. This was the age of famous artists like Van Gogh and Degas. These artists spent many hours sipping this strong, green liqueur and running up huge bills which they couldn't pay (well, Vincent did anyway!)

Eventually Vincent had a 'skin full' and it pickled his brain in a major way. He had a yen to visit a 'lady of the night' and she had jokingly agreed to 'do the honours' for one of his ears. So, thanks to the influence of the 'Green Fairy', Vincent sliced off his ear and went off to do the deal.

So, let that be a lesson to you! The 'Green Fairy' can entice you into some really strange situations.

Just imagine the scenario the next time Vincent was in the cafe:



Degas: Do you fancy a drink, Vincent?

Vincent: No thanks, I've got one ear!


Oh, yes, Absinthe Liqueur! This is a very strong liqueur that tastes of aniseed and varies in alcohol content to between 70 and 85%. It is usually drunk with water, but some people find it too bitter, and add sugar to it. I find that lemonade makes it quite palatable.

This drink was originally made from wormwood and wine. The wormwood is what gives it the very bitter taste. This herb is a perennial which is also a stimulant. (Also used in Vermouth). It was the wormwood that caused halucinations and drove heavy drinkers mad, but the percentage of this that goes to make the drink has been greatly reduced in recent years, so the chances of very serious effects have been reduced .

If you like Pernod and Ouzo then you will probably like Absinthe. It is enjoying something of a revival at present and it is considered quite 'cool' among some sections of society to drink this stuff. It isn't the same stuff as th
ey drank in the old Parisian cafes, where it was cheaper than wine, got them drunk and produced halucinations, from which they could paint some glorious works of art.

It is grossly overpriced and because its trendy people still pay for it. You can pay anything from £30 to £70 for 70cl bottle.

Personally I prefer to drink Ouzo which is also mixed with water and tastes of aniseed and costs a fraction of the price.

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