Absinthe

Moonshine Tasting at the Standard Hotel

Filed under: Spirits

This week at The Standard Hotel in NYC's Meatpacking District, Moonshine, an eight-week-old brand of clear corn whiskey from a new company called Stillhouse, hosted a tasting for a select group of spirits journalists, led by CEO and co-founder of Stillhouse Brad Beckerman.

Moonshine is an interesting liquor. It's made in small batches in Virginia in a Prohibition-era copper pot still from 100% corn, the traditional ingredient used by both the Native Americans and by bootleggers during Prohibition, and unlike most whiskeys, it isn't aged. Frankly, to the Moonshine folks, the shorter the time between the still and the shelf, the better.

The flavor is highly unusual. Far from the eye-watering "moonshines" you may have tasted in the past (or that vodka your college friend made in the bathtub), the flavor is smooth and well-rounded, and you can definitely taste the corn. The closest thing I can compare it to is the flavor of fresh rum right out of the still -- perhaps because corn has natural sugar -- but it's far, far more palatable. In fact, for an 80 proof unaged liquor, I would say it's an exceptionally well-developed spirit.

Gallery: Moonshine Tasting at the Standard Hotel, NYC

Tags: absinthe, bootleg, cocktails, moonshine, new spirits, spirits, whiskey

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Five Spirits and Cocktails for Adult Halloween Parties

by David Kiley (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

With Halloween falling on a Sunday this year, the night before, sometimes referred to as "Mischief Night", will be ideal for adult parties while the kids prepare to go trick-or-treating, or to parties on Sunday afternoon.

In keeping with the "spirit" of the occasion, here are several good ways to stock a bar for the grown-ups, and prepare for some themed drinks.

Here are recommendations and recipes:

Absinthe:
Reintroduced in the last couple of years to liquor stores, it is a anise flavored distilled spirit, emerald green in color that turns to cloudy opalescent white when mixed with a bit of water, which is traditionally poured over a sugar cube. Known in the 19th century as "The Green Fairy" for its power to bring on hallucinations. It was known to be a favorite of such "dark" artists and writers as Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Edgar Allen Poe and Ernest Hemingway. Lucid is one brand, priced at about $50.00, and packaged in a cool black bottle featuring the eyes of a black cat.

Crystal Head Vodka:
Apprpriately bottled in a crystal skull, you could buy a few to make a real statement at your bar. Price: about $42.00. Here are two recipes to make use of Crystal Head:

Brain Freeze
1 1/2 oz. Crystal Head Vodka, 1 1/2 to 2 oz. Pure lime juice, 1oz. Simple syrup.
Combine all the ingredients with ice in a blender. Blend until ice is well crushed. Serve in a sugar rimed rocks glass garnished with a slice of lime.

Tags: Absinthe, Chambord, Crystal Head Vodka, Edgar Allen Poe, Grenadine, Halloween cocktails, Hiram Walker Pumpkin Spice

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Las Vegas Green Fairy Tales: The Absinthe Bar at Sage, CityCenter

by Susan Kime (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Of all inevitable places to have an Absinthe Bar, it's Las Vegas. And there it was, at the Sage Restaurant in Aria, part of the CityCenter enclave of exceptional architecture, retail, dining, and now, Absinthe. With that said, Sage is not the only place in Las Vegas to drink Absinthe -- Liquidity at Luxor, and the bars at Wynn have it also, but Sage's Absinthe service has a wide variety of type, education and drinking experience.. You leave there really knowing about the evolution and mystery of this unusual liqueur.

Absinthe's history is tied to heightened creativity, murder, dementia, and criminality. For 95 years, it was illegal to bring it into the United States. Absinthe is a 140-proof green liqueur made from fennel, anise, and the exceptionally bitter leaves of Artemisia Absinthium. That last ingredient, also known as wormwood, gives the drink its name, as well as its complex, sinister, yet creative reputation. Wormwood has in it an ingredient -- Thujone-- considered for years to be hallucinogenic. For a century, Absinthe was demonized and outlawed, based on the belief that it leads to Absinthism - a disease that supposedly caused epilepsy, dementia, hallucinations, and murder.

Tags: Absinthe, Absinthe History, Aria Las Vegas, CityCenter Las Vegas, Grand Absente Absinthe, Kubler Absinthe, Le Tourment Vert Absinthe, louche, Lucid Absinthe, Mansinthe Absinthe, Obsello Absinthe, Pernod 68, Sage Restaurant, Sochi 2014, St. Geogre Vert Absinthe, Thujone, types of Absinthe, Wormwood

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Fenom, Absinthe Goes Clear

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

You've probably heard of absinthe, better known as the green fairy. The legendary herbal potion made its triumphant return to the cocktail world a few years back and since then has found favor with those looking for something a little unusual. A new "modern absinthe" called Fenom recently launched in Miami. The new absinthe is clear, lower-calorie liquor that is offers a more subtle herbal flavor. The lower alcohol content (80 proof/40 percent) and clear consistency are designed to increase drinkability. It has 63 calories per ounce and is made to be enjoyed without the addition of water and sugar, just served straight with ice, but also be used with mixers like soda. A recipe that made the rounds at Miami's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim called the Two Piece combined mint leaves, Fenom, lime juice, a half wheel of orange, simple syrup and ginger ale.

The new blend liquor is handcrafted and distilled at a family-owned facility located in Fougerolles, France, that has produced authentic absinthes for more than 100 years. All natural ingredients, including wormwood, fennel, anise, gentian and mugwort are blended together with natural spring water from the Vosges Mountains. It comes in a sexy mirrored bottle. So far it's only available in South Florida but it's on the move.

Tags: absinthe, AbsintheCocktail, CocktailShaker, fenomeno ovni, spirits stocks

Absinthe in Manhattan: An Illicit Delight Comes Home

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

There is no shortage of choices when you step up to the bar. An endless array of gins, vodkas, rums and other spirits can almost be intimidating ... yet disturbingly similar. If you want to stand out while sipping and socializing, skip the norm and ask for an absinthe. Edward III, a new product on the market, distinguishes itself in many ways. A clear absinthe – so technically you aren't dancing with la fee verte – it's produced locally, with organic ingredients. And rather than prepare it traditionally, with sugar and water, it can be used as the foundation for a number of unique cocktails, as co-founder Mark Maurice explains.

There's a new spirit in town ... and it's spirited, to say the least.

Gallery: Edward III Absinthe

Tags: absinthe, AbsintheCocktail, liquor, manhattan, new york, new york city

Pernod Absinthe Returns After 93 Years

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Back in March my colleague Deidre Woollard wrote about the absinthe craze ushered in by the end of a longstanding ban against the supposedly dangerous spirit. The hype has died down somewhat, and while faddists move on to other obsessions leaving true enthusiasts to enjoy themselves, the original absinthe maker, Pernod, has finally re-introduced their famous original.

Pernod Absinthe (right) is a revival of Pernod Fils, arguably the most authentic absinthe ever produced with a recipe that's over 200 years old. The company stopped making it in 1915 when the French government banned absinthe, later coming out with a wormwood-free version. The original is a high-proof sprit distilled from Grand Wormwood, fennel and anise - exactly the same as consumed by the likes of Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and now, us.

Tags: Absinthe, France, Monet, Pernod, Picasso

Absinthe Fever, How Long Will It Last?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

The news that absinthe would finally be available in the U.S. was greeted with great enthusiasm by those who had been denied the experience but after the hype dies down will the "green fairy" have legs? The San Francisco Chronicle covers the rise of the spirit and of Lance Winters, the distiller behind St. George Spirits, the first American distillery to legally sell a bottle of absinthe in the United States, after the 1912 ban was lifted. Winters s a hot property right now with everyone wanting him and his pale green liqueur. He sold out of 3,600 bottles in the first six hours the spirit was available at $75 a pop.

The drink, which has a licorice-heavy taste that is similar to ouzo is popular now due to the novelty and the high alcohol content (and the cute little absinthe glasses make it pretty fun too). But after everyone tries it once will there be a large continuing market for the drink? The distilled wisdom from the article seems to be that it is a hot trend now bu one that will fade. Even Winters believes that the interest in absinthe will wane although he believes that his St. George Absinthe Verte will have a niche fan base. Its association with Victorian writers and artists continues to lend it romantic infamy.

There is some danger of the absinthe market getting flooded. There are a couple of brands currently being sold in the U.S. now and many more in the pipeline including Marilyn Manson's Mansinthe. As with any hot trend everyone wants in and then once the market fades in a year or two some of the new labels will disappear too but absinthe will always have its fans and a place on the bar shelf.

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Tags: absinthe, alcohol, expire-images:2009-3-22, liquor, spirits

Love in a Bottle, Valentine's Day Drink Ideas

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

There are as many different kinds of Valentines as there are ways to celebrate. While candy is dandy, we all know that liquor is quicker, and if you are creative, it can be pretty romantic. The act of mixing a cocktail, the measuring and shaking and combining,pouring it into the perfect glass and garnishing with just the right touch can show more care than just picking up a bouquet or a box of candy.

Everyone has their favorite tastes and so knowing what your Valentine, even if it's just a friend you are celebrating with, enjoys is key. Just as red roses are not everyone's favorite flower, not everyone swoons for a chocolate martini. And yet showing up with the same old bottle is no fun either. Showing up with something new gives you a chance to play and experiment. And it's easier than trying to bake something. It can even be lower calorie. For example, one ounce of the tempting new Cafe Boheme, a creme liqueur made with coffee French vodka with creme and vanilla has 75 calories. The liqueur, which is sweet without being cloying and doesn't have that oddly chalky taste I've noticed in some other creme liqueurs, can be used to make an espresso martini with vodka, a dollop of whipped cream and a garnish of chocolate covered coffee beans.

For wine pairing ideas for Valentine's Day check out the picks from Natalie MacLean here.

The gallery below includes ideas of liquors to choose for all kinds of evenings for the sweet and romantic, to the girls night in to the hot and spicy and even the right drink to bring your Gothic valentine.

Gallery: Love in a Bottle

Swanson Vineyards Les Trois Filles Muscat

Tags: absinthe, cafe boheme, CafeBoheme, liqueur, liquor, rhum, tequila, valentine's day, vodka

Absinthe Yacht For Sale

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

We've written about the Absinthe before for her extensive charter past as a pricey adventure yacht used for extended cruising anywhere from remote tropical waters to icy cold seas. The 201-foot yacht yacht was built in 1973 but went through a massive refit a few years ago. The yacht has an outdoor hot tub, a helipad, tenders, waverunners and kayaks. The yacht can cruise at 12 knots and can accommodate 12 guests and a crew of 18. The yacht is listed at $15.95 million through Edmiston. Pictures of the beautiful contemporary interior are in the gallery below.

Gallery: Absinthe Yacht

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Tags: absinthe, luxury yacht, megayacht, yacht, yacht for sale

Are You Ready For Mansinthe?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

What does Marilyn Manson drink? Believe it or not the answer just might be Mansinthe his new absinthe which is set to debut in Europe in August. Liquor Snob reports that the distiller, Matter-Luginbuhl, is a famed maker of high-end absinthes in Switzerland. Manson is a noted lover of absinthe and the project has been in the works for several years. The absinthe is made from herbs such as grand wormwood, fennel and anise and is not sugared and the label artwork is by Manson. There are two pricey prereleases: a limited edition for 300 euros and a special signed edition with a different label available from Gallery Schenk in Cologne that sells for 500 euros. There are some more pictures on the Mansinthe website.

[via Liquor Snob]

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Tags: absinthe, alcohol, liquor, mansinthe, marily manson, MarilyManson, spirits

Absente Liqueur

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

The lure of absinthe is legendary. Oscar Wilde, Toulouse-Lautrec and Degas are just some who surrendered to the spell of the unique green liqueur. Absinthe has been banned in the United States since 1915 but Absente is a modern version of the original Absinthe recipe only without the ban-inducing and hallucinogenic wormwood. The wormwood has been replaced with Southern Wormwood, a legal and similar-tasting substance. At 110 proof if you have more than a glass or two you might not miss the wormwood one bit. It's a bit bitter so the traditional method of adding in water and sugar via a slotted spoon is advised. it sells for around $40 and would add a Bohemian touch to any Valentine's Day plans.

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Tags: absente, absinthe, liqueur, spirits

Absinthe

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