The alcohol concentration of diluted absinthe was thus not greater than that of other spirit based drinks.Ībsinthe was classically manufactured from dried wormwood ( Artemisia absinthium), anise, and fennel, which were steeped overnight in 85% (by volume) ethanol. This louche effect is retained in modern absinthe substitutes (pastis, such as Pernod and Ricard), which are rich in anise but contain no thujone. As the alcohol concentration drops, the terpenoids come out of solution to form a yellow opalescence. Toulouse-Lautrec mixed his absinthe with brandy, but the traditional method was to take about 30 ml of the bitter liqueur in a special glass and to add about five volumes of cold water, trickled over a sugar cube on a slotted spoon. 6 His case illustrates the importance of lifestyle, underlying illness, and the individual response. 3 Van Gogh probably had acute intermittent porphyria-a working hypothesis 5 compatible with the documented porphyrogenicity of the terpenoids in absinthe as well as ethanol. 3 The illness of Vincent van Gogh was certainly exacerbated by excessive drinking of absinthe, 4 and one of his six major crises was precipitated by drinking.
Many creative artists had their lives touched by absinthe (Toulouse-Lautrec, Oscar Wilde, Picasso). Although never as popular in Britain, the fashion of mixed drinks with a “spot” or “kick” of absinthe was reported in London as late as 1930. 1 It became an icon of “la vie de bohème,” and in fin-de-siècle Paris l'heure verte (the green hour) was a daily event. Between 18 French consumption of the liquor increased 15-fold. Originally formulated in Switzerland, absinthe became most popular in 19th century France. But is absinthe a special problem or simply part of a general concern about excessive alcohol consumption? Since 1998 several varieties of absinthe have again been available in Britain-from bars, stores, and mail order. Having been banned in many countries in the early 20th century, its newly fashionable image, combined with global purchasing opportunities through the internet, has brought its revival. Absinthe, the emerald green liqueur associated with excess, is back in business.
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