Craft Absinthe
3 expressions from 2 independent distilleries
Absinthe is a high proof spirit flavored with grand wormwood, anise and fennel. It is traditionally served with cold water dripped into the glass, which turns it cloudy and opens up the herbs.
On DiscoCraft you will find both a verte and a blanche from Dead of Night Distillery in Los Angeles, and the Absinthe Verte from St. George Spirits, the first legal American absinthe since the 1912 ban.
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Distilleries making absinthe
Questions
Absinthe questions, answered
What is absinthe?
Absinthe is a high-proof herbal spirit distilled with grand wormwood, green anise and fennel, often called its "holy trinity" of botanicals. It was first made in Switzerland in the late 1700s and became famous in Belle Époque France, where artists and writers nicknamed it "la fée verte," the green fairy.
Its reputation for causing hallucinations is a myth. Absinthe is simply very strong, usually bottled between 45% and 74% alcohol, and it is not sweetened, which technically makes it a spirit rather than a liqueur.
The traditional way to drink it is the louche: ice-cold water is slowly dripped over a sugar cube resting on a slotted spoon, which sweetens the absinthe and turns it a cloudy, opalescent white as the anise oils come out of solution.
What is the difference between absinthe verte and blanche?
Blanche is bottled clear after distillation. Verte gets a second steep of herbs after distilling, which gives it its green color and a deeper herbal flavor.
Is absinthe legal in the United States?
Yes. Absinthe has been legal in the United States since 2007, as long as it meets federal limits on thujone, a compound found in wormwood.