The absinthe ritual

[ContraFart]

I have seen quite a bit of confusion on Facebook and Reddit on the Blue Stars props and role of absinthe. So since I do pre prohibition bar tending as a hobby (its better than saying drinking) I thought I would clear a few things up.

First, absinthe is not illegal in the US. In 2007 the ban on the import or production of absinthe was lifted. Between 1912 and 2007, there was an anise liquor called Pernod which was a replacement for absinthe. The reason why the ban was in place was the presence of wormwood, a bitter aeromantic. The funny thing is that only absinthe was banned, even though wormwood is in other products such as genepy and vermouth. It could be in Chartreuse as well, but since only 2 people in the world know the recipe, we will never know. However some people believe the absinthe ban started in France to preserve the wine industry and the rhetoric used was just imported to the US. There could be more to the story, but I would have to do more research.

The absinthe ritual is what is being displayed in the Blue Stars show. By itself, absinthe is a transparent liquor with a green tint. When combined with cold water and sugar, the liquid becomes opalescent and opaque. The ritual is done by using a special spoon in which a sugar cube is placed on top. The spoon is placed on top of the glass with the absinthe and very cold water is then dripped onto the sugar cube to break it apart and drop into the liquid. Once the sugar is dissolved, the drink is ready. You can find very ornate contraptions that will drip the water, but some will just use a straw. By itself absinthe has a strong anise flavor with a bitter finish, but after the ritual, the finish is smoothed out and it tastes like a good liquorish candy. So you either love it or hate it. 

I prefer to use my absinthe as a wash in several cocktails such as a Sazerac or Corpse Reviver No 2. 

This has been my Ted Talk

Edited June 30, 2023 by ContraFart

[DrumManTx]

This helps thank you 🙂

 

[KVG_DC]

Absinthe has a mystique around it because of the ban rhetoric as well that gives it an aura of 'forbidden pleasures' ala prohibition style fun.  Favored by artists looking for creativity through altered states.  It was considered somewhat more acceptable than simply getting plastered on plonk in part because the ritual around its preparation was ornate.

I've never actually had it but have had Turkish raki which is another anise drink.  You basically mix with water and what was clear goes opalescent.  Raki packs a solid kick with a burn depending on how you mix it.  So it lacks the 'sugary smooth' of absinthe.

Edited June 29, 2023 by KVG_DC

[Jurassic Lancer]

There is a bar on the Lower East Side of Manhattan called William Barnacle (on St.Marks Place?) that has several Absinthes and a very elaborate water device for the ritual. My daughter and I go there whenever I’m in the city. We call it the Absinthe Bar.  Have three Absinthes and you see the fairies.

Edited June 30, 2023 by Jurassic Lancer

[KVG_DC]

The Green Fairy is a nickname for it and the purported hallucinogenic effects it can have.   So the show picks up on all that as they shift to the green uniforms.

[Jurassic Lancer]

And now I know the tube props are straws.

[kdaddy]

My first trip to Europe was in the summer of 2011, and the first stop was Prague. Absinthe shops abound in Prague. It was advertised so frequently that I assume it was the real stuff. I planned to try it, but time in Prague ran out, and it was on to Vienna, Munich, and Zurich. I figured it was a European thing, and that I'd try it in the next city. As it turned out, it was not a European thing. At least not in the plentiful sense of Prague. In retrospect, Prague was a very "absinthe" city, but I didn't know any better.

I finally tried it in Italy a couple years ago. It tasted like licorice to me, which is to say I didn't like it. I saw no fairies, but I did feel my face making an "ew face" with every swallow.

[kdaddy]

2 hours ago, ContraFart said:

I do pre prohibition bar tending as a hobby 

This is easily the most niche thing I've ever read.

[Jurassic Lancer]

8 minutes ago, kdaddy said:

This is easily the most niche thing I've ever read.

And we’re into drum corps! 

[KVG_DC]

9 minutes ago, kdaddy said:

I finally tried it in Italy a couple years ago. It tasted like licorice to me, which is to say I didn't like it. I saw no fairies, but I did feel my face making an "ew face" with every swallow.

That's the anise flavoring.  It's not something everyone likes...heh.