Absinthe Cocktails: 15 Best Absinthe Cocktails to Try

After you’ve learned the answer to “What is absinthe?” the next step is learning how to mix up absinthe cocktails. Absinthe has such a strong flavor that it needs mixers. Mixing it with other flavors to make cocktail drinks with a kick is the way to go. Read on for 15 best absinthe cocktails to try. These will rock your socks off and, if you’re a bar owner, they'll be a treat for patrons.

15. Fairy Godmother

The Fairy Godmother includes:

Absinthe
Elderflower liqueur
Pineapple juice
Lemon juice
Lime juice

It’s a relatively light mix from this list. The pineapple juice gives it a well-rounded, unexpected flavor that mixes surprisingly well with absinthe.

14. Smoke and Mirrors

The mystique around absinthe makes it a spirit that lends itself to mysterious smoke and mirrors. The Smoke and Mirrors cocktail mixes:

Scotch
Scotch whiskey
Lime juice
Simple syrup
Ice
Mint leaves
Absinthe
Mint leaves as a garnish

Who would have guessed that Scotch and absinthe would be a perfect mix? This is a smoky delight of a drink.

13. Sleepy Hollow Absinthe

The Sleepy Hollow Absinthe cocktail is a mix of:

Absinthe
Mezcal
St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
Angostura bitters
Ice
Rosemary as a garnish

This drink pairs well with a spooky movie for Halloween or even a sleepy mysterious film for the winter holidays. It’ll spice up any evening.

12. Necromancer

The Necromancer raises the dead with:

Absinthe
Aromatized wine, with Lillet Blanc being the recommendation
Elderflower liqueur
Lemon juice
Gin

Prepare yourself for a punch with the Necromancer. This drink is not for the faint of heart or palette.

11. Absinthe Frappe

You might expect coffee in this mix, but it’s a combination of:

Absinthe
Ice
Simple syrup
Mint sprig

This absinthe cocktails option leans into the original meaning of frappe, which is drinks chilled with ice. It’s a refreshing choice from this list.

10. White Elephant’s Cocktail

There’s a cocktail on this list that was created by Ernest Hemingway–and it’s not the Hemingway Daiquiri. This White Elephant’s Cocktail wasn’t crafted by Hemingway, but it was created in his honor. It includes:

Bacardi white rum
Simple syrup
Lime juice
Absinthe
Large grapefruit twist

Rum and absinthe is a surprising but delicious mix. This drink is both smooth and intriguing.

9. Inside Job Cocktail

Similar to the Smoke and Mirrors cocktail, the Inside Job Cocktail is for the absinthe drinkers who want some espionage on the side. Inside the Inside Job Cocktail there is:

Bourbon whiskey
Maraschino liqueur
Sugar syrup
Angostura bitters
Absinthe

This mix is sneaky and delicious. The maraschino liqueur makes it exceptionally sweet.

8. Garden Fairy

A great deal of absinthe cocktails have the word fairy in the name. This goes back to the old name for absinthe: the Green Fairy. The Garden Fairy includes:

Cucumber liqueur
Lime juice
Grapefruit bitters
Absinthe
Aquavit

Cucumber liqueur isn’t something you see in everyday drinks. It gives this mix a light, refreshing flavor.

7. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum flowers are poisonous, so we can’t say for sure if this drink tastes like the flower. It certainly tastes like a treat. The Chrysanthemum is a mix of:

Dry vermouth
Benedictine
Absinthe
Orange twist as a garnish

You can never go wrong with an orange garnish. It adds a delightful citrus bite.

6. Corpse Reviver

The Corpse Reviver matches the Necromancer, although the Necromancer is a bit stronger. This deadly mix is a combination of:

Gin
Lemon juice
Cointreau
Dry vermouth or Lillet Blanc
Absinthe

Whenever you want to raise the dead the Corpse Reviver is the drink to try. It’ll put some pep in your step.

5. Original Sazerac

This classic Sazerac will transport you to New Orleans with an easy finish. The Original Sazerac is a mix of:

Absinthe
Cognac
Simple syrup
Peychaud’s bitters
Lemon peel as a garnish

This drink is smooth and enticing. It’s indicative of the city it is from.

4. Absinthe Suissesse

The Absinthe Suissesse brings together:

Absinthe
Orgeat syrup
An egg white–this is optional
Orange flower water
Heavy cream or half-and-half
Crushed ice

While it originated in New Orleans, the Absinthe Suissesse is named for a “Swiss Woman” or “Swiss Girl." That is the meaning of Suissesse in French. It is a drink that will transport you to the Swiss countryside.

3. Death in the Afternoon

Death in the Afternoon is the absinthe cocktail that was created by Hemingway. It combines:

Absinthe
Champagne or Prosecco
Simple syrup

The world is blessed by many creations from Hemingway. Namely, literary works such as The Old Man and the Sea and The Sun Also Rises. His drink contributions are equally delightful to consume in an afternoon.

2. Neptune’s Wrath

Neptune’s Wrath wraps together:

Gin
Absinthe
Lemon juice
Sugar syrup
Aquafaba
Green Chartreuse liqueur

This is a unique and powerful cocktail. The name is fitting, as this drink will have you feeling wrathful and in need of a hangover cure the next morning.

1. Absinthe Drip

The Absinthe Drip is saved for the number one spot because it is the traditional way to enjoy absinthe. To mix it up, you need:

Absinthe
One sugar cube
Water to drip

There are so many excellent absinthe cocktails on this list. If you want to honor traditions however, the Absinthe Drip is the drink for you.

"Key Takeaway: These absinthe cocktails will rock your socks off and, if you’re a bar owner, they'll be a treat for patrons."

Frequently Asked Questions About Absinthe Cocktails

Our answers to these frequently asked questions will give you insight into mixing up absinthe cocktails. If you’re looking to be a mixologist, bartender, or a bar owner who really knows their drinks, this information will help.

What Can Absinthe Be Mixed With?

The most traditional cocktail ingredients to mix with absinthe are sugar and water. The floral flavors of absinthe make it a good spirit to mix with gin and elderflower liqueur as well. You can experiment with different gin brands. It also pairs well with strong liquors, as the bold flavor takes on many other flavor profiles.

What Is the Best Way to Drink Absinthe?

Many people say the best way to drink absinthe is with the traditional Absinthe Drip. This may very well be true, but at BinWise, we’re fans of branching out with interesting cocktails and flavor mixes. The best way to drink absinthe for us and for you is, essentially, however you like it best.

What Will One Shot of Absinthe Do?

One shot of absinthe is enough to make you feel tipsy and dazed, if not drunk. With an ABV of 45 to 74% absinthe is incredibly strong. While one shot won’t completely trash you, the responsible way to drink absinthe is distilled in a cocktail.

How Is Absinthe Traditionally Drunk?

Absinthe is traditionally drunk as the Absinthe Drip. With absinthe in a glass, you place an absinthe spoon or a large fork over the top of the glass. Then you put a sugar cube on the spoon or fork. Then you drip water over the cube to dilute the mixture.

Absinthe Cocktail Mixes: Put the Lime In the … Absinthe?

Absinthe cocktails are a unique bundle of strong, sweet mixed drink options. There is so much range on this list because the flavor of absinthe pairs with many unexpected combinations.

If you’re looking to sell absinthe cocktails in your bar, you’ll need BinWise Pro and the BinScan mobile app. The inventory program will keep your ingredients and inventory in line. You should also check out BlueCart, to cover your order management system.

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