Wednesday, January 23, 2008

The Green Fairy Spoon

Absinthe is a distilled, highly alcoholic (usually 45 to 75 percent ABV) anise-flavored spirit derived from herbs including the flowers and leaves of the medicinal plant Artemisia absinthium, also called Grand Wormwood. Absinthe is typically green (either naturally or with added colour) or clear and is often referred to as la Fee Verte ('The Green Fairy'). Although it is sometimes mistakenly called a liqueur, absinthe is not bottled with added sugar and is therefore classified as a liquor or spirit. Absinthe is uncommon among spirits in that it is bottled at a high proof but consumed diluted with water to the strength of wine.

Absinthe will not be complete without an absinthe spoon! It is sometimes elaborately perforated absinthe spoon is set upon the rim of the glass and on the spoon is placed a cube of sugar. Ice-cold water is ever so slowly dripped from a glass carafe designed specifically for that purpose, onto the cube. The sugar dissolves and you continue pouring until the ratio of absinthe to water is about two to five parts, depending upon your taste and fortitude. Give the absinthe drink a spin with the spoon and drink like you dripped - slowly. Genuine Antique Absinthe (or Absinth) spoons are prized collectibles and hard to find given the long time prohibition on the drink.

Highly polished Absinthe spoon based on the traditional 19th century design. This absinthe spoon is a high quality reproduction of the very widely used Les Ouvrages absinthe spoons that were made from quality stainless sheet.