Absinthe Is Back

Time ^ | Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007 | CAROLYN SAYRE

[uglybiker]

Want to party like it's 1899? Well, now you can--sort of. After nearly a century-long ban on absinthe in the U.S., a federal agency has begrudgingly allowed two European distillers to sell the mysterious liquor Stateside. Renowned for its supposedly hallucinogenic effects, the anise-flavored alcohol was rumored to have caused an epidemic of psychosis in France in the late 1800s--most infamously, leading Vincent van Gogh to cut off his ear.

.....snip.......

Regardless of exactly how potent absinthe is or isn't, Lehrman says one thing is certain: "If you drink three bottles, you are going to do something stupid."

[Clemenza]

Great! Now the Old Absinthe House in New Orleans can live up to its name!

I've had Absinthe twice, and can't say its my favorite drink in the world. Give me more Grappa!

[Tax-chick]

It sure is a pretty color.

[Old Sarge]

I think I’ll be absinthe from this...

[dighton]

”If you drink three bottles, you are going to do something stupid.”

Drink three bottles, you’ve done something stupid.

;-)

[Army Air Corps]

The Absinthe scene in Eurotrip is damned funny.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I was sure it was clear and turned milky in water!

[P.O.E.]

Absinthe drinkers by Degas, Manet & Picasso

[HAL9000]

From what I've read, it tastes nasty.

I've also read that genuine cornmash white lightning is now available under-the-counter in some of Manhattan's finer taverns.

[RDTF]

what’s up with these threads tonight? lol

[weegee]

The same temperance movement that lead to prohibition first went after Absinthe.

[weegee]

one thing is certain: "If you drink three bottles, you are going to do something stupid."

It only takes half a bottle of jagermeister to arrive at the same result.

[blam]

"what’s up with these threads tonight? lol"

Just the luck of the draw.

Van Gogh

[weegee]

“Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.” - Benny Hill

[Tax-chick]

Yes, I think you’re right. Clear, but not colorless.

[weegee]

Often referred to as the Green Fairy, absinthe gets its chartreuse hue from wormwood, an herb that contains the chemical thujone, which is reputed to cause hallucinations. But despite years of research discrediting the transcendental effects, new bottles can be sold in the U.S. only if they are classified as thujone-free.

Buy it and you'll only get burned. It is another "near beer".

[Lizavetta]

“Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.” - Benny Hill

And absence makes the fond grow harder.

[NonValueAdded]

Is there worm in that wood?

[ClearCase_guy]

It starts very green (hence the nickname "the green fairy") but it is drunk with water slowly added (sugar as well). The addition of water turns it "louche" or cloudy almost-white.

Tastes a bit like licorice (anise, really). I like licorice.

[uglybiker]

"After the first glass you see things as you wish they were. After the second, you see things as they are not. Finally you see things as they really are, and that is the most horrible thing in the world."

.......Oscar Wilde