How Much Do You Know About Absinthe?

March 16, 2009

On today's date in 1915, absinthe was outlawed in France and several other European countries. Although it had been banned in the United States for three years, the French ban was significant because it was the French who popularized the green spirit.

To honor the date, I put together a quiz of absinthe facts. Test your knowledge on the controversial spirit, when you start clicking.

Source

19 Comments

doogirl 4 years 8 weeks

5/8, I've never had it and I probably won't. I just don't feel the need to try it, seems a little silly to me.

danixk 4 years 8 weeks

easy, easy. I've never had it...but "the US stuff is nothing compared to what they have in Europe", as my friend says.

TiKiBoo 4 years 8 weeks

aaah perfect night cap for a rainy last call

aimeeb 4 years 8 weeks

4/8

soul bypass 4 years 8 weeks

7/8 :)

tammibree 4 years 9 weeks

7/8 only because I don't watch Top Chef. Tricky question!

BobFlute 4 years 9 weeks

It does not have to taste of licorice actually, there are many brands that are wormwood rich that do not have this "problem" and the licorice (from anise) is just a back note. Very relaxing as well...I have a glass noooow :-) oops I hit the keys too much...

Spiderlove 4 years 9 weeks

8/8. I know my Absinthe!

mochick 4 years 9 weeks

The brands of absinthe that are legal to sell in the US are still made using wormwood, and do contain thujone, but apparently in such trace amounts that it is either undetectable, or would have negligible effect. There's a lot of debate over whether the inclusion of thujone is even necessary to the "experience" of drinking absinthe, but I can't add to it, because I hate any liquour that tastes like liquorice. eugh.

suziryder 4 years 9 weeks

Didn't "true" absinthe have wormwood in it, which made it hallucinogenic? And the absinthe sold in America doesn't have it, so that's why it's legal now?

BobFlute 4 years 9 weeks

No it certainly is not authentic. It is a "thujone free" made for America variety of "absinthe" Here is why: Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulation at 21 CFR 172.510 means that absinthe must be thujone free. It also cannot be called absinthe if it is sold in US stores...the term "absinthe" may not stand alone on the label; it must be accompanied by additional or dispelling information so as not to appear as the class and type designation. 27 CFR 5.42(a)(1). Boring but true, and not something the marketing men will tell you either. You can find the real thing with thujone in Europe and online.

Brandi13jrm 4 years 9 weeks

I've had the real deal, friend brought it back from Australia. It does have a"trippy" effect. I wonder if the absinthe sold in the US is authentic.

Antioxidant 4 years 9 weeks

The one time I tried absinthe it was quite an interesting experience. I really want to try some again.

sunshinepointe 4 years 9 weeks

My ex tried making his own absinthe. It was a rather interesting experiment.

sandy82 4 years 9 weeks

I once had had too much and I couldn't feel my arms and legs for hours. Insanity.

kscincotta 4 years 9 weeks

Absinthe certainly made for a rough night for my husband. The worst I've ever seen him. It made me never want to try the stuff.

misslilad 4 years 9 weeks

kia, that sounds delicious. i will have to try it

kia 4 years 9 weeks

Actually I don't think a special spoon is necessary for the consumption of absinthe... at my home we enjoy Hemingway's "Death in the Afternoon" which is simply champagne and absinthe... no sugar, no spoon, no fire.