Absinthe

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There is an association with Absinthe being a hallucinogenic or at least making one creative. People like van Gogh and Picasso drank it. But I have looked it up on line, and all the websites say that the wierd effects are a myth (and that it is just really strong alcohol; %50-%80).

I drank it the other night at a bar out of curiosity. It tastes really good, like sweet licorice. After it, I seemed to notice things I do not normally notice, the random little things. It seemed like a clear headed drunkenness. But the thing is, I have very differen sensory experience than most people anyway, like sometimes I just seem to trip out on my own, like I see pictures in three dimensions, and I notice patterns and things. So if I see that without any alcohol, perhaps it has nothing to do with the Absinthe.

What are your thoughts? Ever had it before? I am drinking some right now (it's fifty percent alcohol). I over analyze things anyway, so I feel pretty good, but I just am not sure if my creative feelings have anything to do with the Absinthe. I was feeling very good today (for the first time in a long time) before I had any. So now I've had a glass, I don't want to act like, ooh, I'm tripping out, and just be imagining it.

Ever had it before?

I've drank it a number of times. Love the stuff. I find it just very relaxing. Check out the Nine Inch Nails song about it, 'Perfect Drug'.

I've gotta try this drink. lol
I like getting drunk - gives me a reason to act like a fool. I don't get drunk often though I ain't an alcoholic lol.

Is the perfect drug really about Absinthe? What makes you say that? I actually love that song. I assumed it was about the singers lover (singing "you are the perfect drug" made me think he was speaking to a person)

Ok, I just watche the music video and he is preparing absinthe in it. Pretty cool video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0s5UOVsMDg

I thought that, but a mate of mine told me that's what it's about. I'll check up on it. Wouldn't be surprised if Wikipedia has something on it.

Absinthe used to contain extract of wormwood, which is a hallucinogen. It's no longer used in absinthe, because long term consumption can cause psychosis, madness, and other effects you don't really want to have.

I'm not a fan, but I hate both licorice and aniseed, which are the prevailant flavours, so it's unsurprising I don't like it. Now, a good vodka chilled to zero, or scotch whiskey, now those are my drinks.

Video reference mentioned here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_drug

Yep, that is indeed what it contained. I must try zero chilled vodka.

Actually Absinthe still contains wormwood, though not in the US (I am in England for the term).

I also heard that it used to contain impurities of odd chemicals at one point, so that may have had something to do with it.

Now after beginning my third glass of it, I feel pretty alert. At the very least, I can say it gives one a more alert feeling with intoxication, rather than a sleepy one.

Also by the way, I am a whiskey man myself. I like glenlivets and jameson alot. Tonight I had a bells scotch whiskey on the rocks.

Real absinthe was made with the wormwood plant.
This stuff was banned in some of the more civilized nations in the last century.
Legend has it that the artist Vincent Van-Gogh was whacked out on absinthe when he cut off his ear.
Here is a picture by Edgar Degas titled "Absithe". The woman portrayed in that picture looks all zonked out.




Vincent Van Gogh

Last edited by richie on 05 Oct 2007, 5:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Yes, I have tried it. Ordered a bottle of the Swiss full potency stuff from a French outfit online. Very potent stuff. Very different high. The only drink that made me staggering drunk. Yet I was still alert. Don't think I'll try it again, though. I'm now onto trying to find Mead.

That was the odd part about it for me. I was drunk, and yet very lucid.

The crash from it was also far from enjoyable.

Yes, some still does contain yet. Just certain countries ban it.

I'm looking forward to drinking it again. It may help my musical creativity.

It's a drink I've always wanted to try, where can you buy it from in the UK, I've never seen it in the supermarkets.

Do you drink it neat or mix it with something?

Get it from a liquor store. Ask for it, it may be behind the counter.

There is a special slotted spoon for it, it came with the bottle I bought. Put a cube of sugar on it. Pour 3 parts ice cold water to one part Absinthe, over the sugar cube so that it dissolves into the drink. This brings out the flavor I am told. I personally hate sweet things so I have drank mine with just the water with no sugar and find it sweet enough. So I don't need the slotted spoon, I just pour the cold water in.

I love absinthe. I've had the authentic kind, with wormwood in it. I read that wormwood does not cause any ill effects (unless you're allergic to it, I guess), but instead, it was probably the congeners that they used to make it in the 19th century. If I recall correctly, heavy metals were involved in the process.