Absinthe

The stories about absinthe causing hallucinations are mostly myth — it was banned more for political reasons and moral panic than any real danger. It’s a high-proof anise-flavored spirit, typically 55-72% ABV, and a little goes a very long way. In a Sazerac, you rinse the glass with absinthe before adding the rye and bitters. A Corpse Reviver No. 2 uses just a dash. Pernod and St. George are good bottles to start with. The traditional preparation — slowly dripping cold water over a sugar cube — is a ritual worth trying at least once.

Last modified on September 24, 2026