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The first time I tried absinthe was when I was traveling in the Czech Republic. I was surprised not only by the taste, but also by its price – for 100 grams I was charged about 500 rubles. I asked the locals for a long time for the recipe, and one elderly Czech told me how his father prepared absinthe.
As I understand it, the main thing is good strong alcohol and herbs. But this is more difficult. But through trial and error, I found a recipe for a drink that is as close as possible to the present.
This is how my subscriber Alexander S began his story, who has already talked about his experiments with moonshine tinctures more than once. Happy reading, my dears!
What is absinthe
Among the many alcoholic beverages, absinthe occupies a special place. It is consumed quite rarely, and I have met people who only learned about this drink after being mentioned in one famous song. The drink is really interesting.
Absinthe is an alcoholic drink infused with herbs. The main part of them is bitter wormwood. I heard that absinthe is called the “green fairy”. The name of such a drink was allegedly due to the effect exerted on the body.
In the Czech Republic, where I first had a chance to try this drink, I was interested in both its taste and how to use it. A sort of exquisite sacrament, followed by completely unexpected taste sensations.
Preparation of absinthe from moonshine
To prepare absinthe, you need a very strong moonshine – more than 70% vol. But if this is not the case, you can use a product of a lower strength. In addition to moonshine, it is necessary to prepare the following ingredients for infusion (in dried form):
- bitter wormwood – 100 grams;
- anise (seeds) – 50 grams;
- fennel (seeds) – 50 grams;
- lemon balm – 5 grams;
- hyssop – 10 grams.
All herbs and seeds can be prepared independently, or you can buy at any pharmacy. I use the indicated amount to prepare 1 liter of drink.
In accordance with the volume of the distiller, the number of components must be proportionally increased or decreased.
Moonshine must be very clean. To do this, it must first be subjected to a double distillation.
Wormwood, anise and fennel should be placed in a glass dish and poured with a liter of moonshine, then hermetically sealed and infused for two weeks. After this time, the infusion must be diluted with clean water to a strength of no more than 30% vol. and pour into the distiller along with herbs (they will add flavor to the drink during distillation).
Important. It is necessary to expel as slowly as possible so that the distillate has the maximum strength. The process should continue until the fortress at the outlet is reduced to 40% vol. The resulting product will be transparent, and with a decrease in strength, it may become yellow-green in color.
In order to color the drink in the usual bright green color, it is necessary to pour lemon balm and hyssop into it after distillation. Tightly closing the vessel, you need to insist the distillate for 1-2 days, and then strain through a sieve. To prepare absinthe for consumption, it is necessary to dilute it with water to a strength of 70-75% vol. and after that withstand at least a day.
What happened as a result
After the diluted drink “rests” after being diluted with water, it can be bottled and tasted. The drink I get is no worse than what is sold in any alcohol market. And, given the use of only natural ingredients, I think even better.
I’m not talking about the price. Since I have my own herbs and moonshine, I spend no more than 100 rubles on making homemade absinthe (sugar for moonshine, electricity). In the store, I saw this drink at a price of 1000 rubles per 0,35 liter.
Ready homemade drink can be stored for a long time – up to 5 years. So that absinthe does not lose its flavor and aroma properties, it must be kept in a tightly closed container in a dark, cool place.
A drink dyed with natural herbs, unlike some varieties with artificial dyes, turns yellow very quickly in the light, and then it can become completely transparent.
How to drink absinthe
There are several ways to consume absinthe:
- French classic, in which ice water is poured into a glass of absinthe through sugar lying on a special spoon with holes. At the same time, the drink becomes cloudy and loses its strength. Drinking it becomes more pleasant, because some of the essential oils precipitate.
- The Czech way (this is my favorite) involves first soaking a small piece of sugar in absinthe, and then setting it on fire in a spoon. When burned, the sugar caramelizes and turns into a brown mass, which then needs to be dissolved in a glass. This is not very fast, but as a result, the drink acquires a rich grassy color and an unforgettable mild taste. A large fortress of absinthe is practically not felt.
- With syrup. The prepared sugar syrup is poured into absinthe and mixed. After that they drink. In one version, absinthe is drunk clean, and the drink is washed down with syrup.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!
I have given only those methods that I have tried myself. I know that there are several other options, it would be interesting to know about them. And when drinking absinthe, I like to use brown cane sugar. It seems to me that with it the taste takes on new shades. How do you like to drink absinthe?