Absinthe | How to Drink

In this episode of How to Drink, I’m taking a look at Absinthe. Though this is an uncommon drink of choice and a bit disingenuous to call it a cocktail, it is one of my favorites to drink and make. Cheers!
Absinthe Ingredients:
1 Part Absinthe
1 Sugar Cube
5 Parts Water
If you're looking to pick up some of the bottles I use on the show, check this out:
bit.ly/H2D-Absi...
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Music: The Savoy Special by Glenn Crytzer's Savoy Seven
syncopators.ba...
Twitter: / how2drink
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Directed & Edited by: Greg
Cinematography by: John Hudak
Created by: Greg

[@howtodrink]

If you're looking to pick up some of the bottles I use on the show, check this out: bit.ly/H2D-Absinthe-Spirits

[@Mellion555]

"It doesnt cause hallucinations; just hemmorages and internal bleeding." Is it wrong to wish it caused hallucinations instead?

[@howtodrink]

Not wrong.

[@Schregger]

I think you need more than one or two glasses of Absinthe before you can get any of that. But at, I think usually 140 to 160 proof(?), you likely wont make it past the first glass before calling it quits...

[@musicmanxii]

Take some acid and a few shots of tequila and I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for lol

[@literalantifaterrorist4673]

Jacob K you *could* get the hallucinations is you get a brain hematoma

[@jasongonzales9007]

Absinthe was a hallucinogenic just not that specific type.. good try tho

[@kbrock9146]

Fun story: friend brought over what they called a "Czech Absinthe", and insisted we prepare it "the Czech way", which involved placing the sugar on the spoon first, pouring the absinthe, then setting the sugar cube on fire to dissolve into the drink. I poured a little too much absinthe into my glass, the sugar was alighted, the entire glass caught on fire, shattered the glass, and I had flaming absinthe spreading all over my wood coffee table. Don't do that.

[@accelerator1666]

Maybe they forgot the traditional glass to use for it. (Assuming that exists)

[@kbrock9146]

@@accelerator1666 I had the traditional absinthe glass, slotted spoon, and water spout. Setting it on fire is just a dumb idea. Don't do it.

[@bigblue6917]

Czech absinthe is actually flavoured vodka. So setting fire to it would be a plus.

[@Andrew-ig5sp]

It’s ok if you said “oops” after the table alighted

[@osol1270]

now what you did is engineer a molotov cocktail in your kitchen

[@NigelThornbery]

Today we're going to do an absinthe cocktail. Not a cocktail made out of absinthe, but an absinthe cocktail. Alright first we're going to add 2 ounces of absinthe.

[@howtodrink]

I talked in a dumb circle there. I think really this would just be called an “absinthe preparation” or something goofy like that. But I wanted to draw a distinction between this traditional serving of Absinthe and other Absinthe based cocktails (like the Absinthe frappe) and of course just straight undiluted Absinthe, which is kind of a silly thing to drink.

[@teeneshverma]

XD

[@cheapthrilll6323]

For as much water that was added, he shoulda used 3 oz. St George is great. 👍 and mabey an ice cube.

[@GraphicArtist115]

Lol

[@accelerator1666]

Just make sure you dont make this cocktail with absinthe as I stated before.

[@RagebrosINC]

Does the drink include forehead sweat?

[@howtodrink]

Only if you ask nicely

[@RagebrosINC]

How To Drink hot damn! Sign me up!

[@michaeljames470]

Tastes better that way

[@mantistobogin1683]

Id drink ur sweat any day

[@SO-ei1qv]

Vitamin Greg

[@MrBabelfish5]

You should try the Hemingway Absinthe drink. Absinthe and slowly mix in fresh orange juice. Hemingway called it “Death in the Afternoon”.

[@howtodrink]

He did it with champagne. I actually do make a mash up of it and a mimosa though, champagne, absinthe and orange juice that I call a Wake up And Die

[@MrBabelfish5]

Thanks for the clarification. Now, I shall go try a Wake up and die”. It’s been nice knowing you. :)

[@Grahf0]

@@howtodrink I did something similar, I called it "All I Can Taste Is Absinthe".

[@argonianaccount1876]

@@MrBabelfish5 sounds like a drink I had once called Satan-prepare to fight everyone. Went to a little divebar in Morgantown WV, can't remember much about it but I know it basically had all the makings of a long island(at least the mixture of core alcohols but bottom shelf) and beef bullion broth.... YEA, it was definitely a dare. Found out how much I liked Elijah Craig 18 earlier that night.

[@Tennyson999]

I dont even drink but the camera work is nice

[@DACFalloutRanger]

Fake account. Not enough rolled Rs.

[@uuuultra]

Sissy

[@EmilWestrum]

I dont even camera but the drink work is nice.

[@filipalilovitzsc]

Yes

[@Ghostly-00]

Same here

[@TheSeaofScience]

Had a bit too much once. Couldn’t understand English for a while.

[@Olordrin]

That happens when you drink too much of any alcohol. :D

[@Bigtasty28]

We call that being drunk.

[@Dracashino]

2 shots of absinthe and you couldn't understand your own language and the world darkens around you and after that Friday drink you time travel to Sunday afternoon plus you will feel yourself like a cenobite.

[@Antionovolpe]

@@Dracashino sign me up

[@nickeh-7906]

try five shots of absinthe on a cruise after already being completely wasted before buying the absinthe, my friends had to carry me around for hours as I couldn't stand up or talk, i was practically unconscious, has not happened since lol..

[@lightner95]

The fire misconception most likely originated from the process of making "Feuerzangenbowle" which involves Sugar and a special "spoon" as well . You pour rum over the sugar and light it. It's a very delicious and traditional drink.

[@YourSisterrr]

Great video. One complaint though, your background music is too loud. I can't hear what you are saying. I am listening on a mobile without headphones, but the music overshadows your voice too much.

[@AlexWilliams-zi3xx]

i can hear just fine. maybe you have no ears

[@jonathanmccree6404]

No, he's right. The audio is not settled properly and on certain mobile devices or speakers/headphones it's barely possible to hear his voice over the background music.

[@GetintheCAH]

Joromix thank you for being understanding and not such a dickheaded douche like the other guy

[@jakedemedeiros9978]

Im on mobile headphones and I love it so it might just be a personal thing

Did you come here to listen to music

[@Dirkietje8]

The amount of thujone in absinthe is restricted though. At 35 mg/L IIRC and at that dose you'd need something like 6 liters of absinthe to receive a fatal dose of thujone (which I believe is more of a neurotoxin). However 6 liters of 140 proof alcohol will kill you first. Also the hallucinating might have some basis in fact. To recreate the green or blue colours of the verts and blanches absinthes cheap rip off producers used copper salts like copper sulfate. Also the cheap absinthe was produced in lead barrels, stills and pipes which leached lead into the absinthe. Lead is absorbed into the body and incorporated into your skeleton as it replaces calcium. And eventually you'll start hallucinating not unlike the workers in plants that made the lead additive for fuels used in the 1950's and 60's.

[@howtodrink]

This is the good info! Yeah I don't get into the weeds to much on the whole issue of "cheap" absinthe being maybe where the hallucination myth might come from basically because you're kinda talking about bathtub hooch at that point. "Absinthe" as a distilled spirit isn't natively hallucinogenic, bathtub grain alcohol dyed green with copper-salts and stored in lead vats might be, but that's also not really absinthe.

[@Dirkietje8]

Love the whole 'I'm no bartender, I just like good drinks'-vibe. I'm subbed!

[@kkaczan]

35? Try 100 :)

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

As a toxicologist & lover of food history, this comment & this video made me so happy :)

[@accelerator1666]

So im pretty sure if you ingested straight wormwood it would still take an unreasonable enough ammount to be fatal. If you didnt restrict the thujone levels, even the most essential oil based absinthes would probably just degrade your body less than any immediate symptoms like a hemmorhage. Its kinda like in kindergarten when people said apples have cyanide. Unless your swallowing a heaping fistfull of seeds you dont actually have to worry.

[@damiantv2760]

Why does How To Drink have a nice Fallout vibe to it?

[@MasterRabbitLP]

because there are some steampunk elements with the style of music, the wooden bar and the way it's filmed :)

[@howtodrink]

As long as we’re talking Fallout 1/2 and maybe New Vegas I’m down.

[@TheSatisfiedPig]

How To Drink did . . . Did you love your own comment :p

[@howtodrink]

It seems I did

[@andrewc83]

Jazz, its definitely the jazz.

[@H1ghMess]

Absinthe......the only alcohol you WANT to water down! 😃🍸

[@xzysyndrome]

Not true...a little water in some single malt whiskys really blooms the flavors.

[@ginoredel1781]

Pure is fine too...

[@baronbrummbar8691]

@@xzysyndrome if you have to water down a whisky it aint a good one

[@commentsiguess1263]

That and raki.

[@rlanger3108]

@@baronbrummbar8691 that's just not true

[@Kholan95]

Thank you for getting the facts out there about absinthe! It is my favorite drink in the world, but it's one that every hipster thinks they know all about.

[@xzysyndrome]

Says the Hipster.

[@ashleyhood7479]

I have been living in Louisiana for years and finally made it to the Absinthe House on Bourbon. Amazing! I wish I had the $$ to try all the different kinds they have. They did light mine on fire, but they don’t do it with all of them. Cheers!

[@koko0770]

I think, the white color (similar to ouzo) is little volatile oil bubbles from the anise and the other herbs (that come from the destillation process), which cluster together due to the cold water, so they get visible. :)

[@andresv7815]

It's actually funny because louche means literally weird.

[@howtodrink]

I had no idea!

[@d.v5237]

Actually, let's get more precise. Louche as a noun means ladle or dipper, which is probably why this technique is called Louche. Louche as an adjective means shady or fishy. It can mean "weird" but that's a more familiar way of saying.

[@howtodrink]

It is weird though, the Louche was something of a mystery for a very long time.

[@Liloulalalala]

Andres Valle it's also a big spoon used to serve soup

[@lynnechemeli4124]

.

[@justplainrye]

Going back to these videos is always something. You've come a long way sir.

[@samuelhunter4236]

I really like those. They are short and informative but at the same time they're so out of place. It's great

[@TheHF21]

Fun Fact: Back in the XIX century french people used to put opium on top of the sugar cube.

[@hunterjackson802]

Probably why some people hallucinated

[@user-or7nv3uq4f]

Well, it was Laudanum. According to google, only 10% powdered Opium in the tincture, Equating to about 1% Morphine :)

[@cosminacolumbo5297]

🤔 sounds weak

[@user-or7nv3uq4f]

@@cosminacolumbo5297 It's enough for you to feel something though

[@III-jk4dz]

Hugo Ferreira ye but Absinthe comes from Switzerland

[@EventideAtlas]

I feel like The Modern Rogue would like this channel

[@StayNightGaming]

Some of you might call this blasphemy or nontraditional but here goes I really, really hated absinthe to begin with. My first drink was made with the fire, and I almost threw it out. My second attempt was shots, which we can all agree for sure was a terrible idea. My third attempt was more like this, except I nosed it similar to whiskey before adding the water - I wanted to "appreciate" it more, which honestly opened my eyes a bit. I loved the aniseed, sweet minty smell especially during the watering process, but unfortunately my chilled water became more of a mildly cool temperature by the time I'd finished the pour. This was somewhat a better experience, but I still didn't completely enjoy it. At this point I make it exactly like the video, except I use just enough water to get the cloudy mix going, getting the full reaction from the absinthe - then I shake it over ice, and strain into a glencairn glass so I can still appreciate some of the aroma as I raise it to drink. I know this isn't the traditional way to drink it, but drinking it in this way has honestly evolved into one of my favourite drinks of all time.

[@sareyes512]

I love absinthe. Frappé is my go to if I have a bottle.

[@howtodrink]

I've actually never made a Frappé, I should make one later maybe...

[@sareyes512]

+How To Drink thanks for replying! A vid where you make an absinthe frappé would be awesome..it doesn't get as much attention as the standard absinthe, sugar and cold water method but it's basically the same thing sans water over shaved ice, some like mint some don't. It's like drinking an interestingly spicy/herby glacier. But anyway, keep doing what you're doing man! The classics are classic for a reason.

[@thegreenimp]

Try the original 1933 Legendre Absinthe Frappé recipe (Use Herbsaint Original and Benedictine over cracked ice) www.neworleansabsinthehistory.com/2010/01/1933-legendre-absinthe-frappe.html

[@leonawroth2516]

Wasn't expecting to learn something in this videos, just liked the style. Without looking up the Absinthe myth, I totally believe you. It's the same with other drugs like cannabis. Some capitalists saw their profits in danger and publicly lied about the competitor.

[@howtodrink]

There’s even more truth to that point. In the way that cannabis prohibition is linked to xenophobia, Absinthe prohibition was linked to a fear of socialists.

[@カスカディア国人]

How To Drink I’m a socialist and i love both cannabis and absinthe.

[@willbell1332]

This is one of the best channels on youtube by far

[@howtodrink]

You’re goddamned right it is.

[@willbell1332]

Would love to see ur take on 'the commonwealth' a 71 ingredient cocktail. Do you accept the challenge?

[@smittygaming652]

For some reason I always watch this video Idk why. It’s such a simplistic video but it’s so satisfying. Like I love it when you go on about movies and stuff it’s really cool. Especially now this year because at my school we have an American film and lit class it’s really cool. Love the videos!!!!

[@smrts]

I first tried Absinthe a little over a year ago, I love it, I would enjoy an episode like you did on scotch highballs. I'm curious to see what notes you would pick out from each brand of absinthe. currently i'm working on a bottle of st greorge, i have to say it's got a spicy flavor different from the two other brands i have tried Van Gogh, and Lucid. This is a drink I was trained from a young age to appreciate. My family has a Christmas tradition of making pfeffernusse cookies, so I associate Anise and spice flavored things with a rare holiday treat.

[@thelastgoonie6555]

What do you think of the Lucid? I have a bottle but never opened it.

[@discogoth]

A playlist for absinthe, brandy, and cognac??? My three favorite things in the world, instant subscribe.

[@discogoth]

And yes, 2oz is overkill for absinthe. The absinthe I drink is 140 proof, so 70% alcohol and they range from 50-80%, depending on the brand. Compared to your average gin, vodka, or whiskey, which clock in at ~40%, absinthe could be nearly double the strength. And wow, that could be dangerous, way more so than the gentle whisper of thujone in the wormwood. I generally do 1 oz + a little splash, so it'd end up at around 1.25 oz. And oh boy, is that plenty.

[@SKF358]

I love watching Greg, maybe too much :) His mastery of the craft. And the background music is great. I feel like I am at a Jay Gatsby party.

[@howtodrink]

Thank you so much!

[@SKF358]

How To Drink You're so welcome!

[@dante_yokaisquad9292]

cheers from Switzerland, country of the green fairy an absolutely amazing absinthe.

[@mightybison15]

How to drink: Flaming Moes

[@howtodrink]

This is one to do

[@chancehulan123]

mightybison15 please

[@aurumthebrave3427]

I once had a full tumbler of Green Fairy Absinthe mixed with Tabasco sauce and it was quite the near death experience.

[@DarkLightHeart666]

Fun fact: Rammstein used basically an absinthe coctail to spray from his... to put it lightly, toy manhood, live during buck dich

[@howtodrink]

Saw them do just that in the late 90’s. I’ve got suspicions about the Absinthe though... that would be needlessly expensive.

[@DarkLightHeart666]

Thats the story at least. I must say, im binge watching your videos now. You, sir, are becoming one of my favorite channels

[@howtodrink]

Very glad to hear it!

[@BrainyBoy1200]

Apparently, they first tried milk, but it would curdle and jam up the tube, and then they used Ouzo and water, which is actually the same effect as what happens with absinthe...but cheaper :)

[@sic_six_icks]

D.J. Braswell I have witnessed this :) at least the act

[@bananawolf2304]

Found your channel maybe two months ago, found this video today. Glad you've kept the music consistent. Keep up the excellent work.

[@Aegir616]

Nothing really gets "activated" when you add water to absinthe or ouzo. There are oils and other flavoring compounds present that are easily soluble in alcohol, but not in water. When you dilute the alcohol with water, these compounds can no longer stay in solution. Usually, this makes the solution split, like oil and vinegar. In this case, because of mechanisms that aren't well understood, ouzo and absinthe instead form stable emulsions, kind of like milk.

[@hixxy2277]

Love that music

[@howtodrink]

Thank you! It’s here bit.ly/2KjujSg

[@beccaturner1802]

and here i have just been drinking it straight : s

[@bellatorpopo430]

Ben Turner how the hell are you still alive? xd

[@mememeister959]

Bellator popo seroiusly after drinking 5 years of this shit i just find out this is how youre suppose to drink it

[@MrKayouh]

Yeah same

[@CreatorCade]

Why would you do that to yourself?

[@michaeljames470]

I had like 5 shots of straight black absinthe in like 15 minutes.. I just drank straight from the bottle. It. Was. Delicious. Don't remember the last half of the night but it was great. So it doesn't matter if you drink it this way or not, absinthe is amazing as is.

[@sacchin1271]

I like the idea behind this channel. BRILLIANT !

[@jdmdrifterjdmskurrt6760]

Next video: How to drink water

[@howtodrink]

Staying hydrated is VERY important.

[@EzeICE]

@@diazvictor225 yes because remember we aren't making a cocktail made with Water, but a Water Cocktail!

[@Luporraconis]

It's far better than what I have seen in the past, but still a few mistakes: one fifth of the glass is a good measure in my experience, but you shouldn't go over it. Then you should pour the absinth over the already prepared spoon and sugar and let it soak after you poured the absinth. In my experience this improves the dissolvation of the sugar. After that you should, as told, slowly pour the ice water over the sugar so it dissolves, but it was done far too quick in the vid. The best measure would be a drop per second. For this there are so called absinth fountains. You have done it right if there is no sugar on the spoon after you filled the glass with ice water!

[@magicdata42]

ok I subscribed as soon as you stated the truth about absinthe. not many people know that and it bugs me when they think it'll make them hallucinate.

[@howtodrink]

Thank you!

[@redneckcanuck640]

But it does... ive experienced it.

[@balzonurchin]

I find that absinthe tastes best when you stop drizzling the ice water at the point when it louches. The world disagrees with me apparently, but I find this to be where it tastes its sweetest... which is an interesting property of licorice; a perceived sweetness without any actual sugar, like an artificial sweetener. A really good absinthe doesn't need the sugar cube.

[@Ultramega0]

you can even go a step further and soak the sugar cube in absinthe, light it on fire for some time to caramelize the sugar and then pour the water. enjoy

[@howtodrink]

This is a method of preparation often called “The Bohemian Method”, it was invented in the 1990’s as part of a marketing campaign by some Eastern European “Absinth” (grain alcohol, thujone, anise, food color) producer. If you like it that way don’t stop on my account, but there’s no connection to the Belle Époque or the impressionist Absinthe craze, and burning your drink robs it of its alcohol content.

[@abonynge]

Brings down the alcohol content without watering it down, stronger absinthe flavor than an equal abv absinthe cocktail prepared in the traditional manner.

[@gigagilga.beats5]

This is so visually appealing

[@jaredarbuckle388]

Great series so far man. Can't wait for more videos.

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.

[@waltertomashefsky2682]

Lawrence Calablaster And it makes the heart beat faster!

[@sanmateyo]

love that fact check at the end, sub!

[@jellybeans8744]

Yeah, if u r sick as a dog, it clear out ur nose ,throat. My hubby is really in to Poe, he drinks Absinthe. He made the Poe drink,said it was good. I tried it. A long set of flavors & emotions of how long will this last? By the end, if I was sick, my throat & sinus would have been open.

[@FantasKanal]

Im sry to correct you on correcting everyone but drinking Absinthe CAN involve fire, depending on the style, for example in bohemia they dran it diffrent to france etc. some styles involve fire, some don't.

[@howtodrink]

The “bohemian method” was a marketing gimmick invented in the 1990’s to sell Eastern European Absinth, which is not Absinthe but rather thujone fortified grain alcohol. It has no relation to any traditional preparation of Absinthe and will result in a perfectly ruined drink with little if any of its alcohol remaining.

[@FantasKanal]

Oh, so you're talking about setting the absinth itself on fire? I would have never thought someone would do that! What i was talking about was dripping a bit of absith on the sugar aswell and setting that on fire. It never occured to me that someone set the absinth in the glass on fire... Well, good to know that someone does that. Anyway thanks for your response!

[@howtodrink]

If you place the cube on an Absinthe spoon and light it above the glass it will light the Absinthe below it 90% of the time. Fire of any kind in the serving of Absinthe is absolutely a modern construct invented by marketers and parroted by goths (of which I was admittedly one) in the 1990’s. Happily I know better now.

[@FantasKanal]

Ok, thx good to know. But I'll look into it myself a bit since now I have different sources that don't agree and I hate it when my sources don't agree...

[@4f52]

Your other sources must be lighting the cube on fire in a videogame, because in real life, not provoking the alcohol to set on fire is impossible.

[@Cordio007]

The turbidity does not come from activated parts of plants. The spirit contains anise oils. These do not dissolve in water, but in alcohol (ethanol = emulsifier). If enough alcohol is present, many small oil droplets surrounded by alcohol particles are formed. If there are fewer alcohol particles in the ratio (after addition of water), not so many small oil droplets can be formed surrounded by alcohol particles. So larger oil droplets are formed, surrounded by alcohol particles. Larger droplets break the light and the solution appears milky for us. Sorry for my bad English, I'm only a chemistry teacher from Germany.

[@thargis7]

Where did you get your absinthe spoon?

[@howtodrink]

Honestly I’ve got no idea... probably came with a bottle at some point

[@avalanche9142]

Why not drop the sugar cubes directly in the glass and stir them in water instead? Would it make any difference to do it using the spoon?

[@howtodrink]

No real difference!

[@scottmsellers]

Your videos are great- I look forward to seeing more content from you! A Sazerac would fit nicely in your lineup.

[@howtodrink]

+Scott Sellers Sazerac is definitely on the list.

[@endless_ocean7987]

I’ve only ever seen green absinthe before (green fairy). Is there a difference in taste between this and regular absinthe, or is it just a difference in the brewing process that results in a different colour?

[@morkaaybabii32]

Hi ! “I’ve never worked in a bar, I’ve been a bar back”

[@JeffreyMarciano]

yeah he changed his story to sound more appealing or something I guess

[@oggsyunwin9000]

"I've never worked in a bar, been a bar back..." Meaning he's never been a bar back.

[@CantFumble]

This guy has come a long way

[@monat_son]

first video seen, subbed

[@howtodrink]

Thank you!

[@monat_son]

have you been thinking of making Moscow Mule? :)

[@ummwhodidnt]

Same

[@Steamboltron]

Just found out about this channel and Im having a lot of fun! Thanks for all the info, great work!!

[@howtodrink]

Thanks! If I may, what video of mine was your first?

[@Steamboltron]

@@howtodrink It was the Old Fashioned one! Then I watched the moscow mule and it was amazing aswell. Im sick today so all Im doing is laying in bed watching all you vids!

[@Devilish__]

cool thing about absinthe is that it comes in many different colours, but the ouzo effect will always make in a nice opalescent color..

[@howtodrink]

Correct!

[@wardencobb7442]

I worked as a bartender in the highest end celebrity hangouts in Vancouver, BC or "North Hollywood"... So I have had every crazy drink ordered and have answered every crazy question. Now, there are classic ways of doing things which have a helluva lot to do with marketing and then there's personal preference. And personal preference beats everything else. What should you pair with your appy, dinner dessert etc? Sure, I know all the suggestions and stuff to help you with that -but what do YOU want? That matters more. So how should you drink absinthe? Here's the only answer that matters: Any way you want!!! Hell, you can try different combos and go nuts!! I've known people to mix absinthe with honey and soda or in with a tea. In the end, you're the one eating and drinking and you can do as you please.

[@sethprops4404]

WOAH. The backing track is still the same!

[@kelclark335]

could you achieve a similar result by adding a barspoon of simple syrup and pouring the water directly into the mixture instead of pouring it over the sugar cube?

[@Sibula]

I know the comment is really old, but yes. What causes the cloudiness is some compounds (mainly from anis I think) that were dissolved in the alcohol dropping out of solution when the ABV gets lower. The sugar is there just to make it more pleasant to drink (as is water to be honest) and has nothing to do with the effect.

[@BigDippas]

The Bohemian style of serving absinthe involves using fire.

[@howtodrink]

That's true, but despite its rustic sounding name, the "bohemian preparation" was invented in the 1990's and has nothing to do with how absinthe was traditionally served in the cafe's of the impressionist era. Here's a surprisingly accurate Wikipedia article about the subject: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian-style_absinth

[@BigDippas]

+How To Drink I was just pointing out the diffrence between wrong, and traditional. Your video nailed the French Method outside of the slow drip of an absinthe fountain, but for the average person this is the closest way to replicate it. Cheers!

[@howtodrink]

+BigDippas thanks! Really appreciate you saying so. I'd love to get an absinthe fountain someday, but honestly I just don't have room for one at the moment. Thanks for watching the show, and I hope I can continue to entertain you!

[@redneckcanuck640]

Absinthe from certain parts of the world DOES 100% make you hallucinate. Speaking from experience. Green flashes of light, auras around light fixtures and a feeling of floating usually followed by intense laughter. Czech absinthe is particularly hallucinogenic. I wouldn't say this if I didn't experience it, and I used to drink high wormwood content absinthe all the time.

[@consul5531]

When you burn the sugar, it looks cooler

[@howtodrink]

Way kewler I’ll agree, like mirrorshades.

[@consul5531]

How To Drink cool vidya, though

[@AndyB450]

Most times i've tried in in New Orleans they use that method. It'd be cool to see on youtube!

[@BanilyaGorilya]

Only seeing this now and thank you for clearing up the misinformation and myths around Absinthe. I’ve heard many a myth from people who are lawyers, doctors, and technicians who’ve contributed and perpetuated these myths and now I have a second opinion from someone probably who knows a few things more than they’d ever know.

[@christianvincentrivera2956]

In school, when you're not present, then you're absinthe. 😑

[@jordannicholson9893]

Is there anything that says if you can’t be bothered to get a spoon because Australia is weird ,can you just mix a sugar cube in just enough hot water so it dissolves and put that in the cold water mix ?

[@RockofJazz]

Make a Sazerac!

[@gdavies4]

Right so I'll be trying this on Friday. Any advice like limits etc? ..

[@OpreRoma]

As someone who has drunk absinthe straight, I'd very much recommend Not Doing That

[@danielpradhanasaputra7956]

Wait. You can drink it straight? it contain 90% of alcohol. I try it once. It didn't go well. That's why i search a video how to properly drink absinthe

[@antonhelsgaun]

@@danielpradhanasaputra7956 assuming there's nothing in absinthe that's bad besides the alcohol I can confirm that 95% (ish) is technically drinkable, just not very pleasant

[@OpreRoma]

@@danielpradhanasaputra7956 Yeah, that's why I recommend not drinking it straight. I nearly vomited :P

[@TheMootant]

1 million views, fantastic video

[@noahsamsel6153]

Marilyn Manson would be PISSED if he saw this

[@Miakara938]

The history of absinthe is very interesting!

[@rafaelalodio5116]

Kinda disappointed that it isn't allucinogenic.

[@williamseling7957]

Sooooooo…….can I still buy Absinthe? Is it available in stores?

[@howtodrink]

Yes

[@themadmedic9984]

Looks Like Semen

[@howtodrink]

Delicious

[@themadmedic9984]

I Know A Guy That Can Get You It Fresh And Warm

[@howtodrink]

You “know a guy”? Something wrong with your plumbing bro?

[@Ashish8363]

🤣

[@dazeym840]

TheMadMedic ... it does look sketchy. And sweaty....

[@BN1960]

I miss that drink. I find Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder though.

[@pattyluss]

That's a lot of water...

[@howtodrink]

Might be a bit heavy

[@pattyluss]

How To Drink thank you for not doing the flaming cube. With you on that one, hate that trend!

[@MaaZeus]

@@pattyluss Why? The burnt sugar tastes good in absinthe. Let people drink what they enjoy.

[@cmhammo2025]

Fyi, i believe there are some czech absinthes that tend to be a little stronger in flavor so burning is involved to help offset some of that intensity. Just thought I would share!!

[@villeleinonen8491]

I like the lumberjack look, just saying.

[@rdu239]

Ville Leinonen looks canadian

[@nyarlatothep666]

The spoon and sugar cube are only used for low-quality, often very bitter, absinthe. A good absinthe is just mixed with cold water - ideally from an absinthe fountain filled with cold water.

[@moritzrauer1910]

NEED THE BACKGROUND MUSIC TITLE!!!

[@howtodrink]

It’s in the video description but it’s Glenn Crytzer and the Savoy Seven doing his original song the Uptown Jump

[@moritzrauer1910]

Thank you very much! Yeah i should check the info boxes next time before asking tbh.

[@DeltaVengeance]

I realize this is old, but I just wanted to inform other viewers that while you are correct, many of Absinthe's competitors did make up lies about the drink, "true" absinthe is made with wormwood, which does have hallucinogenic properties. Absinthe was famously popular with the French impressionists of the late 19th century, and used to inspire their work. It was one of the drinks left behind after Prohibition was lifted, and even today in the U.S. the only types of absinthe that are legal are those with a very small amount of thujone, the psychoactive component. There was a big scare in many European countries as well, but you can still get the original stuff with higher concentrations of wormwood (and thus thujone) as well as typically higher proof in places like the Czech Republic. Great video on a classic drink, love this channel!

[@balooc2]

if you ever get your hands on real absinthe, like the recepies from 1800's, i promise you, you will hallucinate! i got it from a dude in the czech republic!

[@howtodrink]

I’m definitely doing a chaser video on Absinthe to try my best to dispel this myth. There are still old pre-ban bottles floating around out there, they’re bought and sold by collectors on a pretty regular basis. When they’ve tested them they find they’re all less than 10 parts per million thujone. Thujone by the way isn’t a hallucinogen, it’s poison. As I said it’s classified as a convulsant. Possibly it’ll cause some hallucinations if you ingest enough of it but you’ll be dying too so... Further, the entire idea of Absinthe being a hallucinogen comes solely from statements of Dr. Magnan, a “researcher” who was hired by wine companies to force the Absinthe producers out of business. There are Absinth’s (spelt differently in this case) produced in Eastern Europe, most notably the Czech Republic, that are made to trade specifically on the Absinthe myth. They’re often Thujone Fortified, making them pretty toxic, and in your case apparently also laced with hallucinogens.

[@dukeofnuke2446]

Real Absinth is hallucinating dude homemade and can tell you it is hallucinating.

[@dukeofnuke2446]

Also real Absinth is colourless it gets kinda white when you add water

[@TristanBehrens]

duke of nuke You're incorrect, if you really hallucinated then you were spiked or it was a total placebo. It's not hallucinogenic.

[@dukeofnuke2446]

Just make yourself a wormwood tea which is only one ingredient of absinth and see what happens.

[@Денис-ж4ы3в]

He’s my new fav youtuber

[@howtodrink]

Thank you!

[@Komerican10]

I LOOOVE me some absinthe!! So so good!!

[@lapalabracompartida]

Yo, Greg. Could you give us the specs of your camera?

[@hankh1610]

Howdy; About 50 years ago, I was stationed at Naples, Italy. Several of us got interested in the "White Liqueurs". At that time Absenthe was still a NO-no. Yet Pernod was available. That was the French variety. The Italian version was called Sambuca, Clear but served in either a white wine glass or a champagne glass both with a coffee bean dropped in. Adding ice would give the white coloring. In Greece they call it Ouzo, in Turkey it is call Raki (pronounced rock- e), Ricard was the name we asked for in Spain and everyone's nowadays favorite is Jägermeister. Just to name only a few.

[@codyhawkins2771]

What are you using to stir in this video? Never seen a cocktail spoon like that

[@howtodrink]

I think you’re talking about my absinthe spoon? It’s pretty standard tool for absinthe preparation.

[@codyhawkins2771]

@@howtodrink excellent! Thank you! This will be my first time messing with absinthe so good to know. Love your channel so much

[@codyhawkins2771]

@@howtodrink is there a particular brand of absinthe you use most

[@howtodrink]

I use Pernod Absinthe most, but I go through the stuff SO slowly and really don’t have much opportunity to taste around. I’m The worst authority on which brands taste like what and what they’re good for

[@MrStensnask]

When I was a teenager I got really drunk on absinthe and it made me shiver and feverish for about an hour in a way I've never tried with any type of alcohol other than absinthe. I generally steer clear of it now.

[@howtodrink]

MrStensnask isn’t that what I said? Traditional pre-ban Absinthe, when they find a bottle and open it is all under 10mg thujone. Additionally it’s not a hallucinogen and never was, and the “research” the ban was based on was bunk science paid for by wine makers looking to eliminate the competition. What did I get wrong?

[@MrStensnask]

Yeah, you did, I misheard what you said. Just ignore :) I thought I edited it fast enough so you wouldn't have to read the original message. Thanks for replying, though.

[@TheHumbleBartender]

Wicked video man. Love an absinthe cocktail!

[@Talondas]

Absinthe is unusually strong and the thujone masks the effect of the alcohol giving you a sense of "clarity" when you are actually piss drunk on the stuff. Hemmingway usually kept a couple of bottles at his place in Key West and one of his more famous quotes was "Got tight on absinthe last night, did knife tricks." Word of warning, hangovers from this stuff feel like an icepick was driven into the base of your skull. Best absinthe I've ever had was La Verte Torment.

[@Donball]

That was my favorite Absinthe too! Shame it seems to have been discontinued :(

[@davidswink604]

after watching all the videos you have up. I'm hooked, love trying new drinks. subscribed, keep up the awesome work!

[@howtodrink]

+David Swink Thanks for watching! Hoping I won't let you down!

[@jpgaul]

Great Video! Any recommendations for brands of absinthe?

[@Slickjitz]

Jonathan Gaul in addition to what he used which is St George I also enjoy La Muse Verte. Look for the all black bottle with a green woman on it. A true absinthe should contain wormwood as well as be at least 60% ABV

[@SpydieFan]

Just curious, why don’t you just put the sugar in the glass, why bother pouring it over?

[@theMAYORproblem]

Cause he's making fun of all the pro barkeepers

[@Bradrsnk6vca7nj]

Your channel is fantastic.

[@howtodrink]

+West Ghosts Thank you so much! I've got new episodes in the works on the way soon!

[@Jadguy24]

Other cocktail you can do is a Sazerac using absinthe instead of bitters I recommend it

[@spiff2268]

A few years back my mom brought me a bottle of absinthe back from a trip to England. I never asked her to bring me another. Just stick with the Gordan's Special Dry Gin, mom!

[@benjamingeiger]

Why do you pour over the sugar if you're going to put the sugar in the glass anyway?

[@howtodrink]

It’s mostly about the presentation and tradition. I suppose it’s an unnecessary affectation.