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ABSINTH
Dancing with the
Green Fairy
by
James Birrell-Gray
“The
first stage is like ordinary drinking, the second is when you begin
to see monstrous cruel things, but if you persevere you will enter upon
the third stage where you see things that you want to see, wonderful
curious things.”
-Oscar Wilde on Absinth
Not many drinks can claim a history as controversial, influential, and
romantic as Absinth. Invented in 1797 by Dr. Pierre Ordinaire, Absinth
rapidly became popular, at first with the aristocrats of France and
then amongst the bohemian art movement in the rest of Europe. Artists
such as Van Gogh and Picasso lovingly referred to the drink as “La
fée verte” (the green fairy) which best describes the sensations
felt when drinking it.
Absinth became illegal in the early 1900s in most nations worldwide
as it became synonymous for causing madness and many crimes, people
have gone as far as describing the drink as the cocaine of the 18th
century.
We are now able to enjoy a controlled version due to its recent legalisation,
and again Absinth is fast becoming the drink to be seen sipping on.
For those familiar with Pernod (Henri-Louis Pernod opened the first
Absinth distillery in Switzerland) - Absinth is Pernod’s mother
- they both have a similar taste but Absinth has a higher alcohol content
(between 60% and 70%) and one vital ingredient, wormwood oil.
Wormwood oil is the ingredient that makes this drink special; its hallucinogenic
qualities induce creativity and conversation alike but it also numbs
the effect of the alcohol, giving the drinker its unique effect. The
wormwood oil content is now strictly controlled; however, I can assure
you from experience there is enough to create the desired effect.
Traditionally, Absinth should first be soaked in a sugar cube, set alight
and caramelised through an Absinth spoon in a glass, then mixed with
chilled water (3 to 4 parts water to 1 Absinth). It should be sipped,
making it a great drink to wind-up or wind-down a dinner party.
Fresh attended an Absinth cocktail class and tasting at Sydney’s
exclusive “Hemmespheres”, to find out about some of the
great ways Absinth can be used in cocktails. Julian, a cocktail specialist
from Hemmespheres and creator of the ‘Fairysinthe’ cocktail
says “it’s a great spirit that mixes well in almost anything
that is sweet, so try it with your favorite mixer. Refreshing with apple,
orange, grapefruit or pineapple juice; easy to drink with lemonade and
goes well with cola”.
STOP PRESS: Sydney absinthe fans there is some great news - the
opening of Absinthe Salon
in Surry Hills - a "small bar" which will
serve 54 different varieties of Absinthe - absinthe and only absinthe.
To check it out click here.
Another
great atmospheric place to drink absinthe in Sydney is La
Boheme Czech Restaurant - to find out more click here.
And
for more information about Absinth and for stockists call 02 9979
4235
or
visit www.greenfairy.com.au.
For
more information regarding Absinthe and other cocktail classes
and
tastings contact Carolina at Hemmespheres 02 9240 3040.
Best night venues in Sydney:
Arq
Nightclub
16 Flinders St, Darlinghurst 9380 8700
The Basement
29 Reiby Pl, Sydney 9251 2797
Bristol Arms
82 Sussex St, Sydney 9262 5491
Carmen's Nightclub
590 Kingsway, Miranda 9524 0398
Cave Nightclub
Pirrama Rd, Pyrmont 9566 4755
Chinese Laundry
3 Slip St, Sydney 9299 1700
City Live
Bent St, Fox Studios 9358 8000
Embassy Nightclub
16 Cross St, Double Bay 9328 2200
Gas Nightclub
477 Pitt St, Haymarket 9211 3088
Globe Nightclub
King Head Tavern. 60 Park St Sydney 9264 4844
Home Nightclub
Cockle Bay Wharf, 101 Wheat Rd Darling Harbour 9266 0600
IceBox
2 Kellet St, King Cross 9331 0058
Jackson's On George
176 George St. Sydney 9247 2727
The Phoenix
34 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
Tank Nightclub
3 Bridge La, Sydney 9251 9933
Yu
171 Victoria St, Potts Point 9358 6511
The Bank
129 Pitt St, Sydney 9230 0521
Castle Hill Tavern
25 Victoria Ave, Castle Hill
Castles Nightclub
114 Castleraegh St, Sydney 9261 2238
Club 77
77 William St, King Cross 9361 4981
Club 209
209 Queen St, Campbelltown 4628 4283
Club Sydney
122 Pitt St, Sydney 9233 2171
Eden Nightclub
88 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 9331 5314
EP1
1 Earl Pl, Potts Point 9358 3990
Goodbar
11a Oxford St, Paddington 9360 6759
Jupiters Nightclub
Rear253 Windsor St, Richmond 4588 5594
Luna Lounge
176 George St, Sydney 9247 2727
M X Nightclub
Hunter St (Cnr Burdett St ). Hornsby 9477 5555
Metropolis Nightclub
Mount St, North Sydney 9954 3599
N V Nightclub
Lvl 1, 163 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 9360 5666
Nakita
104 Bathurst St, Sydney 92839199
Rogues Nightclub
Oxford St (Cnr Riley St) Darlinghurst 9380 9244
Shelbourne Hotel
Market St (Cnr Sussex St) Sydney 9267 3100
Sugareef Nightclub
20 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross 9368 0763
Tantra
169 Oxford St, East Sydney 9331 7729
Tracks Nightclub
58 Beecroft Rd, Epping 9876 1855
GoodBar
11a Oxford St, Paddington
Zen
22 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross 9358 4676
Rogues
16 Oxford Square, Sydney 9380 9244
DCM
33 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
The Pavilion Hotel
580 George St, Sydney
Interested
in writing a column on this subject? Email editor@freshmag.com.au
Absinthe, Absinth, Bars, Sydney,
Drinking, Alcohol, Legal Hallucinogens, Drugs, Wormwood, where to
get Absinthe in Sydney where to buy Absinth
in Australia Rarest absinthe available in Melbourne nightclubs and
bars, also Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane & Hobart Absinthe in Sydney
Australia What is Absinth Bars where it's available? Absinthe Salon
Surry Hills: Where to Buy Where to Drink Absinthe: Fresh Magazine
Absinthe Australia.
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