Serves 1
Absinthe was a very popular spirit with artists at the end of the nineteenth century and beginning of the twentieth. It was called the “green fairy” by many, because of its vibrant color. Green is my favorite color—my wedding ring even has emeralds.
Absinthe has a very high alcohol content and was believed to cause hallucinations. Many illustrious artists were associated with absinthe, from Van Gogh to Poe, from Manet to Wilde, from Hemingway to Picasso.
Absinthe was outlawed for many years, and it just became legal in America again in 2007. I tried absinthe in New Orleans at the famous Old Absinthe House. I fell for the green elixir and have imbibed ever since.
I like drinking absinthe the traditional way, through a sugar cube, but this is a brighter, lighter twist to the green drink.
We sometimes add dry ice to make this drink a real witch’s brew. Enjoy the potent potion!
2 ounces gin
1 ounce absinthe
1 ounce Midori
½ ounce Green Chartreuse
½ ounce fresh lime juice
1 maraschino cherry
Fresh mint leaves
Dry ice (optional)
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the gin, absinthe, Midori, Green Chartreuse, and lime juice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a cherry and some mint leaves. If you wish, add dry ice for a special effect.