[This post is not sponsored.]
Happy National Absinthe Day!
National Absinthe Day is celebrated on March 5 each year to commemorate the date the absinthe ban was lifted in the United States in 2007.
Absinthe Frappé photo credit: Elliott Clark/Apartment Bartender
What is absinthe?
Absinthe is a potent distilled spirit made with green anise, fennel, and wormwood. It’s also called the Green Fairy, or la fée verte, due to its emerald hue that is derived from the chlorophyll of the aromatic herbs that are added after the distillation process.
It is believed to have originated in the late 18th century when a French doctor in Switzerland created it as an elixir and cure for malaria.
Due to the toxic chemical compound called thujone found in wormwood, many people believed that drinking large quantities of the spirit caused hallucinations! Absinthe was considered to be such a dangerous psychoactive drug that it was eventually banned in many countries, including the United States in 1912.
During the ban, an anise-flavored liqueur called pastis gained popularity as a substitute for absinthe. The difference between pastis and absinthe? Pastis is produced without wormwood and sugar is added to it, making pastis a liqueur, not a spirit.
“This one time, at workcamp…”
I had my first taste of pastis in France during some free time at my workcamp (the commonly used term for international volunteer projects like the one I participated in.)
After watching a marionette show, my group and I went out for drinks. I can still recall the strong licorice flavor of the pastis. Not sure I loved it, but I must admit, I did enjoy how it made me feel: sans souci (carefree)!
Over the years, I’ve often wondered: Would I have a similar experience with absinthe?*
What better time for me to find out than on the occasion of National Absinthe Day!
American-made Absinthe
When pandemic-related travel restrictions are lifted, I’d love the chance to sip absinthe in France or Switzerland! But until then, I’m happy to stay put and get some American-made absinthe that happens to be locally produced (but widely available!)
photo credit: Andria Lo
St. George Spirits, located in Alameda, California (about 10 miles/ 16 km east of San Francisco) has been making single malt whiskey, gin, rum, brandy, vodka, and liqueurs since the distillery was founded in 1982 by Jörg Rupf, who retired in 2010.
Fun Fact: Their St. George Absinthe Verte was the first legal American absinthe released after the U.S. ban was lifted in 2007!
photo credit: Jason Tinacci
Due to its high alcohol content, absinthe is usually sweetened and diluted with ice cold water before it’s served. But according to St. George Spirits, their St. George Absinthe Verte is one you can “savor over ice — no sugar needed.”
photo credit: Laurel Dailey
St. George Spirits master distiller, Lance Winters joined Sarah of Chateau Sonoma for cocktail hour on Instagram Live on March 5, 2021. ICYMI, check it out: Instagram Live @chateausonoma
photo credit: Ben Krantz
Thanks to Ellie Winters, St. George Spirits communications director, for permission to use the photos shown in this post.
*Updated March 8, 2021
I finally tried absinthe! I diluted one ounce of absinthe with about a half-ounce of ice water. It developed a nice cloudy louche, indicating a strong presence of star anise, which I could smell as I gently swirled my glass. I can confirm: no hallucinations (not that I was expecting any), but I did get a cool numbing sensation on my tongue with each sip.🥃
Have you had absinthe? Tell me about your experience in the comments below!
Bonjour: A Francophile Blog 
I’ve had absinthe a couple of times while traveling in Europe, including in France and the Czech Republic. I’m not the hugest fan of absinthe, as I don’t like bitter, anise-flavored drinks, but I appreciate the craft brought into making them. I’m told that consuming large quantities of them is sure to make one hallucinate, but I’ve never gotten there before…yet! 😉 Thanks for sharing this unique holiday in the US. 🙂
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I’ve heard that the absinthe and/or sugar cube is set on fire as part of the drink preparation in the Czech Republic. Did you have it that way when you were there? If so, I’m curious to know how it compares to absinthe you had in France!
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No one set my absinthe drink on fire in the Czech Republic, but I actually did have a drink set on fire when I was in France, although it was with mezcal. It’s an awesome experience, though!
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I knew March 5th was National Absinthe Day in the States but only because I blogged about it last year 😀! Is it my imagination or do you have a lot of ‘National Days’ in the States – haha?! Great post!
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Haha – it’s not your imagination – it’s true, here in the U.S., there seems to be a “national day” for everything! 😆 But most are not official. They’re just for fun or for anniversaries. I liked your absinthe post and I agree with what you said – maybe some “national days” are marketing ploys! 😀
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