Absinthe is a spirit with an interesting story. It is made by infusing wormwood, fennel, anise and other herbs into alcohol through distillation. Created by Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor, it was developed as a cure for illnesses during the 1800s. It was rumored to cause madness and seizures and was banned for sale in the early 1900s. The ban has since been lifted and it is legal to sell and buy Absinthe once again.
It has a high alcohol content and has a strong licorice taste. When water is added, it turns a milky whitish green color.
Absinthe is also known as
- The Green Fairy
- The Green Goddess
- The Green Lady
National Absinthe Day is March 5th
March 5th is National Absinthe Day, a day to celebrate the spirit known as Absinthe.
Sazerac made with an Absinthe rinse
Absinthe is commonly used as a rinse in the classic Sazerac. A classic Sazarac is rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, Angostura bitters, sugar and an absinthe rinse. My favorite places around town for a Sazerac are Bitter & Twisted and Southern Rail. It’s one of my favorite cocktails especially when a quality rye whiskey is used.
Where to find Absinthe Cocktails in Phoenix
Little Cleo’s Seafood Legend
I’ve written about Little Cleo’s before as I’m a huge fan of their happy hour. Little Cleo’s unique offering is their selection of Absinthe and Absinthe cocktails. Never having either (other than an absinthe rinse in my favorite cocktail, Sazerac), on my last visit to Little Cleo’s I tried the Absinthe. It was interesting, definitely different with it black licorice flavor. And the white color definitely unique. It’s not going to replace whiskey as my preferred spirit but it was delicious in its own unique way and I would order again.
Little Cleo’s Seafood Legend
5632 N. 7th Street | Phoenix Arizona 85014 | 602.680.4044
Bitter & Twisted
- Hemingway’s Demise
- Sazerac
- Chocolate Sazerac
Bitter & Twisted
1 West Jefferson | Phoenix, AZ 85003 | 602.340.1924
