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Learning how to drink absinthe goes hand in hand with learning about absinthe cocktails, absinthe brands, and overall learning “What is absinthe?”. For a restaurant or bar business, these tips are important for the purpose of serving absinthe properly and giving information to your patrons. This increases customer satisfaction.
Of course, these tips and tricks are also handy for home connoisseurs, a mixologist or bartender, and wait staff who want to learn more. In this BinWise blog post, we cover everything you need to know about how to drink absinthe. From cocktails to safety standards, this is the place to start if you’re serving or drinking absinthe.
Absinthe Drinks
There are many absinthe cocktails you can choose from. Some are new inventions while others have stood the test of time. These three absinthe popular cocktails have been around for quite some time. They continue to enthrall absinthe enthusiasts.
3. Sazerac
The Sazerac is one of the most popular absinthe cocktails. In fact, there is even a Sazerac company that specializes in everything to do with alcoholic beverages–the drink came first. The Sazerac is known for combining whiskey and absinthe.
2. Death in the Afternoon
Death in the Afternoon is the absinthe cocktail that was invented by Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway was known to enjoy absinthe. He named his concoction of absinthe and champagne after his 1932 novel of the same name.
1. Absinthe Suissesse
Absinthe Suissesse is an exceptionally decadent absinthe cocktail. It’s a mix of creme de menthe, egg whites, absinthe, orgeat syrup, and orange flower water. It was first crafted in New Orleans and it maintains the feel of The Big Easy.
Best Way To Drink Absinthe
Most absinthe connoisseurs will tell you the best way to drink absinthe is as an Absinthe Drip. This is the traditional absinthe cocktail and there’s no disputing how delicious it is. However, here at BinWise, we are firm believers that the best drink for you is the one you like the best.
If the Absinthe Drip is your favorite absinthe drink, then by all means it is the best for you. If you prefer another absinthe cocktail, there’s no rule that says you can’t enjoy it more. Overall, drink what you like.
How Much Absinthe Is Safe To Drink?
There are different ways of measuring how much absinthe is safe to drink. It can depend on legal limits, bar limits, and personal alcohol tolerance. These upcoming three factors are all things you should consider.
3. Drink Mixes
There are some absinthe cocktails that have only a very small amount of absinthe in them. You should still always be careful, but an absinthe cocktail that you sip over time is a safe way to enjoy the spirit.
2. Personal Limits
Knowing your personal limits is vital with any alcoholic beverage. If you haven’t tried absinthe before, test it out at home first. Having one cocktail that you enjoy over an extended period of time is the best way to figure out your limit.
1. Legal Limits
There are specific blood alcohol counts and legal limits for driving and generally operating yourself well. Learning your limit in regards to weight and tolerance will help you balance absinthe drinks. A good rule of thumb is that two drinks is enough to make most people fairly tipsy. Please drink responsibly.
How To Drink Absinthe With Fire
Absinthe is a fiery drink in terms of ABV percentage and history. If you want to bring it even closer to the flame, you can do that with fire. Yes, real fire. The traditional Absinthe Drip cocktail can be mixed up with some flame to give it a shocking edge.
You start with the basic ingredients and tools:
- Absinthe
- A sugar cube
- Cold water
- An old fashioned or rocks glass
- An absinthe spoon, large fork, or slotted spoon
Usually, an Absinthe Drip starts with the absinthe in the glass. That’s not the case here. With the glass empty, put the spoon or fork over the top and place the sugar cube on top. From there, pour about an ounce of absinthe over the sugar cube and into the glass. This starts the dilution of the absinthe. It also prepares the sugar cube.
Once you’ve poured the absinthe, set the cube on fire with a lighter or match. Only burn it for a few moments. If it burns too long you’ll char the cube and have a far more burned drink than you were aiming for.
Trickle the water over the burnt cube into the glass. Once the absinthe is completely cloudy, you’ve added enough water. Then flip the sugar cube into the glass to complete this sweet and smoky mix.
"Key Takeaway: Absinthe has inspired drinkers, bar owners and restaurant managers, artists, writers, and dreamers for centuries. It’s been drunk in many ways through the years."
Frequently Asked Questions About Drinking Absinthe
Absinthe has inspired drinkers, bar owners and restaurant managers, artists, writers, and dreamers for centuries. It’s been drunk in many ways through the years. With it being legalized and widely enjoyed, there are sure to be many new ways people come up with to drink it.
Our answers to these frequently asked questions give some insight into current ways to drink absinthe. They also cover some facts about absinthe that any absinthe drinker should know.
What’s the Proper Way to Drink Absinthe?
There isn’t one proper way to drink absinthe, but the most common answer to this question is the Absinthe Drip. It is the traditional absinthe drink and it continues to hold up as a cocktail drinks option throughout all the years that have passed. Overall, the proper way to drink absinthe is whichever way you like it best.
Can You Mix Absinthe with Soda?
Yes, you can mix absinthe with soda. It is recommended that you mix it with tonic water or soda water. In fact, there’s a drink known as the Absinthe Frappe that mixes absinthe, mint, soda water, simple syrup, and ice. It’s quite the refreshing mixed drink.
Is Absinthe a Stimulant or Depressant?
Surprisingly, absinthe is a stimulant. This sets it apart from every other alcohol. There are some sources that will tell you tequila is also a stimulant, but it’s truly just absinthe.
However, it’s more nuanced than those simple facts. While the key ingredients in absinthe are more of the stimulant varieties, absinthe still has a liquor base. In a way, it is a combination of a stimulant and a depressant. How it makes you feel often comes down to your mood before drinking it.
How Long Does It Take for Absinthe to Kick In?
It takes absinthe about 10 minutes to fully kick in and give you feelings of inebriation. This is similar to most other alcoholic drinks. A shot of absinthe can hit you harder and faster, which is among the reasons why shots of absinthe are not recommended.
Should Absinthe Be Refrigerated?
No, absinthe should not be refrigerated. If you refrigerate absinthe some of the compounds within it can start to crystallize under 68°F. That can affect the overall flavor and composition of the spirit. Since absinthe is chilled with ice water or ice in different drinks, there is no need to refrigerate it.
Drinking Absinthe: Dancing with the Green Fairy
Learning the ins and outs of how to drink absinthe is vital for any drinker or bar or restaurant owner. Servers would also benefit from some background knowledge to share with customers. It’s an added level of customer service. Come back to BinWise for even more information about absinthe and owning and operating a bar.