Over the years, absinthe, the green, highly alcoholic liqueur loved by nineteenth century creatives has had a bad press. But now, it appears that the legendary drink is going through a revival, with one bar in the trendy Knightsbridge area of London offering it on their summer drinks menu. Could this be a sign that absinthe could be resurrected and reinstated as a drink for the 21st century?
Absinthe Is Brought Up to Date with Cocktails Inspired by The Green Fairy
The Brompton Bar and Grill announced in July 2011 the launch of their new absinthe-inspired cocktail menu. The controversial drink loved by artists such as Toulouse Lautrec and Vincent van Gogh is being relaunched in the modern and classy surroundings of this award winning bar, where cocktails include Absinthe Caipirihna and Absinthe Daiquiri.
The Absinthe Caipirihna is a blend of absinthe la clandestine, brown sugar and lime juice, while the Absinthe Daiquiri combines rum, Campari, absinthe butterfly, sugar and lime juice. The bar will also feature Ernest Hemingway's favourite drink, called Death in the Afternoon - a cocktail that combines absinthe with champagne.
It is a common misconception that absinthe, with its aniseed taste, is illegal in the UK. In fact, it has never been banned in Britain. With its 70% alcohol volume however, it does make it one of the strongest alcoholic drinks in the world.
Absinthe Is Traditionally Served Using an Ice Fountain Drip
For customers looking for a more traditional experience, as well as cocktails, The Brompton will also serve absinthe using a slotted spoon, sugar cube and iced water. The iced water drips gently from a fountain onto the sugar cube and filters through the slotted spoon into the absinthe below. This results in the drink taking on an 'opalescent' appearance, creating a 'louche' which reinforces its status as a magical drink.
But the UK is not the only country to be welcoming back absinthe with open arms. The BBC reported in May 2011 that France was to lift its ban on sales of the spirit. The French ban had been in force for almost one hundred years.
Long regarded as the preferred drink of some erratic but genius personalities of the Victorian era, such as Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh and Oscar Wilde, it seems that absinthe is enjoying a revival in Europe over a century later. The drink appeals because it has a hint of the dangerous and forbidden, and is also an iconic drink in history. And now its being blended in cocktails and brought right up to date in London's Knightsbridge area.
Sources:
- The Brompton Bar and Grill website and press release on the launch "BBG Launch New Absinthe Menu", accessed 7th July 2011.
- BBC News website "Absinthe in France, Legalising the Green Fairy", accessed 7th July 2011.
Jo Romero - Jo is a Freelance Food Writer, Food Blogger and Restaurant Reviewer, based in the UK. Visit her profile to find out more.
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