Making Absinthe That Slaps

[@VestigialLung]

Wormwood really is wild. After reading that it was a common bittering ingredient in beers prior to the discovery of hops, I wanted to experiment with doing a hopless brew. In the interest of knowing what I was adding, I tried making a tea to taste the ingredient in its raw form. I only got a couple of sips before deciding I’d experienced enough. Later, I ate dinner and brushed my teeth before bed. The next morning after brushing my teeth and having breakfast, I realized I was still tasting it. Wild experience.

[@rasakan4468]

Hey brother, French Absinth head here! Thank you for your videos! Being found of absinth myself, I've been starting to experiment with its distillation, and these have been very interesting to watch. In my opinion absinth is the quintessence of alcohol, it doesn't get much more elaborate than that when it comes to the subtleness of recipes. I've been tasting tens of different absinths from Switzerland, France and Germany these last years, and if I may suggest, anyone that is passionate with absinth must try Jade Absinths from Distillerie Combier. As fine as it gets!! If you have not tested it yet, get your hands on a bottle of Jade 1901, or Jade Terminus Oxygenated Absinth, they will blow your palate away!! The technique they use is very secret, but they are known to infuse each herbal on its own, as woody herbals like star anise can infuse way longer than leafy herbals like wormwood or mint. In the end they reunite all the distillates to compose what is some of the best absinth ever made. I am distilling my first batch right now as I am watching this video, will keep you guys posted with results!

[@joearledge]

Not surprised you fell in love with it... You know what they say.... Absinthes makes the heart grow fonder...

[@finspin4984]

Here for the absinthe videos

[@StillIt]

May there be many more ha. Yeah Im hooked!

[@svedasa]

Greetings from Czech Republic! I have been distilling absinthe for about 3 years now and made few trips to Val de Travers (birthplace of absinthe) to learn how they do it.The most important thing about absinthe recipe developing is aging. I make peated absinthe as well and after distilling, you can barelly smell peat, but after 2 months it is same as base spirit. Minimum time for my aging is 6 months, then all heavy oils and stuff blends together. Santé!

[@oldkipper]

I made absinthe with about X10 botanicals in a rotavap to make a flavour sorbet without disrupting the freeze point to much. It worked really well and as a palette cleanser it delicious and wondrous thing. Also tried making a syrup with it to pour over a vanilla ice cream. Also excellent.

[@PKM762x54]

I'm trademarking "Slapsinthe" right now.

[@ToastedSynapseGaming]

I just made mine. Also looking for a name. I think I'll go with "The Slap"

[@owensmusicalmisadventures2312]

“This is green and it’s my secret weapon to getting a better effect while drinking absynthe” you should definitely make a green dragon absynthe next time you go to America

[@shinigamiking69]

Dont go chasing the green fairie for it may chase u back

[@jarlove]

haha

[@atruceforbruce5388]

Got to keep an eye out for the green fairy....and the other trolls from the pride parade.

[@TheSingingLocksmith]

You could use a pot still botanicals basket to stop any wormwood particulate flow. Possibly experiment with vapour stream botanicals in the same little basket that fits in the pot still. Tremendous video Jesse. Will be replicating the recipe with some tiny earthy root and grains of paradise elements. Cant bleddy wait!

[@Mrhikingbear139]

For a different yerba mate flavour profile, you could try to cold brew it. Just add cold water from the tap and put it in the fridge for 24h. I find the flavours to be more round and balanced, possibly mellow, but in a good way. Another bonus is more caffeine, due to the extended extraction time

[@claudesilverio677]

Double Absinth, my favourite ❤❤

[@rustywrx]

Haven't been able to drink for a few years now, but you're really making me want to try and replicate these recipes! My mates will have to be my guinea pigs lol

[@CollegeHustler]

Can you do a video comparing soaking ingredients in alcohol vs soaking ingredients in alcohol and introducing sunlight. For instance, I see some videos on YT for making lemon cello by soaking lemon peels in a glass jar of everclear and leaving the jar in the fridge for a few weeks. Others say to put the glass jar by a window. I want to know how sunlight affects flavor for different ingredients… love your channel!

[@travelingman45]

This!!

[@StillIt]

Huh, thats a interesting A/B in the making right there!

[@bowow0807]

@@StillIt 3rd variable, sous vide! Is it just the extra heat absorbed by the sun that allows it to extract flavors faster? It's a pretty common technique for tinctures and extracts nowadays.

[@steammachine3061]

The good thing about this recipe is that mugwort, fennel, mint and lemon balm pretty much grow wild or rogue all over my town so that's a good percentage of ingredients I could get for free or at least the effort of picking

[@StillIt]

Awesome! Just a heads up, you probably want to harvest ahead of time and let the herbs/botanicals dry. I have not looked into that too much. But I think Alan Bishop has done some videos on it here: kzbin.info/door/18ykcV8SX2_A1RZNZ_yFAQ

[@roycesjourney37]

I’m at 11:12 in the video as I’m typing this comment. I find it fascinating the amount of skill and intuition you’ve developed over the years Jesse. Never in a million years would I have thought about that copper scrubber trick in the vapor feed tube. Or diagnosed that “popping” correctly. Ok on with the rest of the video.

[@StillIt]

You didnt see the 30min of head scratching that lead up to that haha. But yeah, just doing the thing every week for years has a way of helping you problem solve. Cheers mate

[@roycesjourney37]

@@StillIt cheers!

[@user-xm4hl5zx1l]

Absinthe (a particular kind of wormwood) is surprisingly easy to grow! Actually, it grows so much that you need to harvest it every year to contain it. If you have the room for it outdoors, I can only encourage you to try it!

[@StillIt]

Awesome. Alan also mentioned there are likely very similar native plants in most regions that could be used as well. I need to look into that!

[@colingregory7464]

Ask the local "druid" what he smokes to aid "clarity" ? Around here they would probably be using Magic Mushrooms ?

[@MrPhoon78]

​@StillIt it is surprising how many Australian native plants have DMT in them naturally. Prickly Acacia apparently have quite a bit in them.

[@andersjjensen]

If the anis seed had been replaced with a liberal amount of actual licorice root I think this would have been RIGHT up my alley.

[@bastiat691]

Would really like to see you make Green Chartreuse

[@StillIt]

Hmmm good idea I may need to look into that!

[@travelingman45]

@@StillIttruffles on the rocks has a video on that, but it’s an infusion and not a distillation

[@niklasmorgenstjerne7650]

@stillit Alan has tried for years without success. It is an extremely difficult endeavour.

[@GregAndButters]

Would roasting/dry pan frying the aniseed and fennell help with flavour production like in cooking? Or am I just thinking to much like a chef?

[@daro9582]

If this series continues, he might just invent an absinthe that actually makes him hallucinate 😂

[@dorjedriftwood2731]

Yerba ate from what I understand actually contains mostly teacrine, which is actually much more agressive than caffeine. Not to be confused with teaanine which is soothing. The crine is a low level neurotropic.

[@davidf3974]

Absinthe is fantastic, and your series has gotten me to start drinking it

[@ross5839]

Which brand/brands have you tried? I've tried Lucid and I've purchased Absente multiple times.

[@kellinomnom]

That's a gorgeous color!

[@JanVdV]

I often use such a foldable steam basket in my AirStill when I use a lot of botanicals. Just to keep as much as possible away from the bottom.

[@StillIt]

Nice idea!

[@nicholassmith9051]

Hello from Montana...you playing like we do. The petey add is amazing. I use Old Crow Whisky.

[@jamesfino7962]

What a trip just watching.

[@DarkArtGuitars]

Awesome! Would you mind putting your recipe in the description? That way we don't have to jump back and forth to get the numbers. Definitely gonna ask my liquor fairy for a batch of this.

[@StillIt]

Sorry mate I thought I had already! Its updated now.

[@thebearded4427]

Nice video! Quick question: What botanicals do you think would make itself even better if you used vapor infusion?

[@StillIt]

For absinthe, Im not sure if any of them would be better actually. Not in this style anyway. Im really looking for heaps of weight to the spirit here. Macerating over night is going to help with that. But of course experementing is never a bad thing!

[@ZenWatchGuy623]

I like you man.... Especially when you do the little giggle.

[@the_whiskeyshaman]

Love this.

[@brockolee0815]

I wonder if Tarragon might be a good addition to this. It also has a similar flavour to fennel and anis, but different notes, more floral. Mellow, slightly sweeter somehow.

[@gerrycarmichael1391]

Might you consider making some Kaoliang liquor? (Made mostly from Sorghum). It has the reputation of tasting like wet dog and producing "a skull shattering hangover" which leads me to believe the commercial brands leave a lot if not all of the tails in the product. It would be interesting to see if you could make it better.

[@StillIt]

Interesting. I dont know much about it at all. Il have to do some research!

[@janbortlik7318]

That is so Jessie. Taking the confectionary sweet delicate french Absinte and making it a smoked whisky like sledgehammer. Down to the color. 😁

[@philiptruitt]

Thanks Jesse!

[@jessicatymczak5852]

Suggestion, it is possible to steam distill the wormwood to obtain its essential oils, but be very careful since the concentrated oil can be toxic.

[@pugster1969]

if you want to add more 'effect' you should be adding calamus root during maceration , search for dale pendells absinthe recipe and double the amount of calamus (sweet flag) used.

[@Pabloeskiibra22]

Been waiting for this one!!!

[@76yacumo]

Ì love asbsinthe, great work mate!

[@jpfurrow7445]

Felt like I was watching a Harry Potter’s potion class. I am so lost but entertained at the same time.

[@makegrowlabrepeat]

You could try boiling chips, It will stop the "bumping" that is causing your herbs to boil over

[@mdfind]

Look into Ilex guayusa as an ingredient. Like yerba mate, it's a psychoactive holly with a history of use by indigenous cultures. I prefer the taste and it's effects to that of yerba mate. It has a natural sweetness to it unlike yerba mate. I think you'll really enjoy it.

[@merlynsfire1275]

there is a legal, here anyway in the uk, plant herbal (ground nut) called guarana that kind of sounds like the lucid thing. Take some and you could drink, get drunk but walk talk and dance

[@colingregory7464]

Use a Spice Bag for the more potent ingredients ? To allow them to be in the mix but removable and filtered ? Cheesecloth or similar ?

[@RedKryptonitelEl_]

Mmmmm yummy.

[@KiwiMonkeh]

Uncle Jesse's Golden Absinthe. I`d buy a bottle!

[@jasontongue5685]

Should have used canaris Serena, it’s a brand of Yerba .Would have worked perfect for for the flavour balance

[@Rubberduck-tx2bh]

I see you bottling into a WT Rye bottle -- that's my favorite commercial brand! FYI: a little over a month to our co-birthday!

[@dorjedriftwood2731]

Lemon Balm is quite psychoactive. It’s similar to a dopamine reuptake inhibitor as I recall. Meaning it slows your brain from lowering dopamine. Ie it keeps you in an excited state. As a supplement it doesn’t take much to feel it.

[@RetroFuturistMusic]

Wormwood + Yerba Mate? I'm going all in on this one. NGL, I was hoping the "Full Effect" portion would be included in this video.

[@jmchanti]

You could try using smokey uruguayan Yurba Mate next time to bring the smoke.

[@docholliday6280]

The "Turd Howard" reference is fantastic

[@MicaAvali]

I’m curious of the savoury aspect you’re tasting from the Yerba . I was gonna suggest it may be theanine like In a lot of teas. But yerba mate doesn’t contain it! So I gotta try some now :o

[@ross5839]

I love Absente brand Absinthe

[@maryoberschlake1988]

Wonder if you could use cherry bark instead of peat

[@dangoldbach6570]

Yerba mate is good, youpon Holley is really good 👍

[@99hilux6]

Maybe try them ceramic thingys to stop surge boil i use stainless scubbys in airstill pro never get a surge or blow off any more s/s might not be good after botanicals

[@josephcaliguire9245]

Ever consider adding ascorbic acid, (vitamin c), to help keep the color from going brown?

[@jasontongue5685]

Lmao, I’ve been drinking Yerba for the last couple of months. I couldn’t agree with you more about its effects

[@KubedPixel]

As these 2 drinks are botanical heavy, what do you think a gin-based absinth would taste like? Personally, I absolutely can't stand absinth so I won't try making it myself. Maybe the 2 will complement each other?

[@jarlove]

does the coffein destill and transfer in the vapor?? or is it only the extract giving the cofein?

[@HappySnappyChappy]

Remember liquorice has an MAOI effect…..and again your wormwood looks woody & dry…liked the addition of Angelica… :0) I wondered if a touch of vanilla might help with flavour AND trippiness. (It always gives me crazy dreams)

[@rawinderl]

What if you were to put the wormwood in a filterbag? Like cheese cloth or something so you can more easily remove it

[@arghh121]

New video!!!

[@mrJimmyLunch]

Awesome

[@njnovi]

As a warning those “copper”scrubbers have non stainless steel underneath. I’ve had worn ones rust next to the sink!

[@scottyvortex]

Does anyone know if I can use some steel wool instead of copper scrubbies?

[@ronsimpson143]

Are there any spirits made with oats? I have had beer with oats. I liked it.

[@michal.dragon]

18:31 Yerba Mate has nothing to do with tea except for caffeine. Tea is totally different plant. Green tea version of yerba would be probably evra mate or chimarrãro

[@nissad1252]

Thank you hermano many do not understand mate is it's own wonderful plant

[@Ritual_Gaze]

Wormwood might help with lucid dreaming but waking effects might be pretty questionable for most people. Lemon balm can help with relaxation and getting tot sleep so it might all work together for some interesting times getting to sleep and then maybe having pretty intense and memorable dreams afterwards!

[@Clancydaenlightened]

Wonder if the high thats claimed was because someone used diviners sage (salvia divinorum) in the recipe....

[@Clancydaenlightened]

"well they said 'sage'."

[@Clancydaenlightened]

Or moonshine absinthe from corn whiskey

[@kennetknudsen7042]

so the blanquet? is kinda like a cast irion skillet you never "wash" saving taste and seasoning for other cooking

[@StillIt]

ha interesting analogy

[@gavtheoldskater]

I’m fascinated by this video, but Jesse are you using grand wormwood, the good stuff, or the lesser thujones Roman wormwood?

[@clementgrenier9432]

can i make something that look like whisky from vodka, malt sirup and barley?

[@kyliehamlin1160]

Question, I was taught that if you use hot water for yerba that it can kinda scorch the tea.. It makes it bitter, is that something that you encountered!?

[@StillIt]

I used 80c / 176f. Thats on the upper level of water temp for yerba. I did not find it bitter.

[@kyliehamlin1160]

@@StillIt Thank you.. The absinthe sounds delicious! Enjoy!

[@chriskundrat8968]

Curious of how "kana" sceletium tortuosum would effect the mix.

[@alimaleki6316]

I made this recipe, the yerba mate makes the color go brownish

[@user-ue4he3li8b]

26:20 Ambersinthe!

[@surfacingcom]

What about smoking the glass before the pour?

[@StillIt]

Ohhh I like! That would add to the ceremony that a lot of people enjoy with absinthe too.

[@ModeratorFriendly]

Have you tried toasting your botanicals before use to draw out the oils?

[@x2wdtoyotax]

How much did this cost to make?? So many botanicals!

[@DogPrinctz]

Do you grow your own worm wood? Different varieties, grown in specific conditions, finest comes from the finest

[@AKtmbr]

Hey! How was your yeald? The Volume at the end Sorry for the bad english, hugs from Brazil

[@bskec2177]

"I want a more punchy absinthe" Walks up to Mike Tyson "Can you punch me harder?"

[@ChristopherHorton-b5r]

Have you thought about adding Clitoria ternatea for colour?

[@ubuntupokemoninc]

I bet labrador tea would put in work in the absinthe, both flavour and intoxicating wise

[@magnum9987]

Jesse, I’ve always wanted to make a 100 proof gin with a spicy rye spirit.

[@ajr10420]

What about Kava Kava?

[@medievalpipehitter1821]

I hate absinthe because I've spent too many nights and too much money in Amsterdam. IYKYK. But I like your channel and i'm interested in what you can do with absinthe.

[@erie3936]

Peak Absinthe performance would be so much thujone, you can't feel drunk no matter how much you drink and then get hit with a industrialtransport shipload of hungover after several hours. Also: I am not sure about how to feel about having ALL of those herbs.

[@StillIt]

HA! Yeah dude, absinthe eats up the botanicals!

[@teddiver-gf6dj]

My absinthe was amazing ,lovely colour but went an amber colour. Tastes great though.

[@travelingman45]

Do you mind adding the recipe somewhere? I’d like to do this one!

[@StillIt]

My bad I thought I had! Is updated now.

[@travelingman45]

@@StillIt cheers!

[@williamwright9079]

Good medicine!

[@Bad_Grandpa92]

What happens when you mix together absinthe Jagermister and Biju?

[@StillIt]

Interesting . . . .

[@MathewMoss-fp9ju]

Id love to makeba absinthe with all fresh herbs and dry herbs and add other elements to trip off from other botanicals like angel trumpets but that woukd be hard to achieve or LSD lol

[@mattf9096]

I remember one of my first times diving deep into a bottle of Absinthe and I played some pretty mean games of chess (for my skill level) and the strategy wasn't impaired , but manipulating the pieces was lol Mind was on point but the body was a bit rubbery lol I've had it many times since (same brand) and its seemed to be more of a generic alcohol buzz, so I suppose I'm "chasing the fairy" trying to have that unique experience again lol. Perhaps, like many other things in life, the situation and environment dictate more than we think. So maybe all those artists of the time were just simply loose enough to vibe with the situation they were in and the spirit could've been something different with the same result...or they were adding opiates.... who knows? lol

[@KenStar335]

Love your vids,,,btw what happened to your friend George,did he finally decide to retire?

[@berrytyrant]

Hmm....my mouth is watering when watching those herbs being poured into still. I wonder if you have ever used Lemon Verbena with any of your concoctions.....it has very intense sorbet-lemon like flavour.

[@StillIt]

Dude, I didnt know it existed! Now I am intrigued!

[@connorperkins641]

​@@StillIt I've only ever heard of it in the context of being added to a lemoncello but I still haven't been able to source it to try it. After this description I'll need to re double my efforts!

[@Nevyn515]

Wormwood isn’t a hallucinative, the experience described back in the day was not due to the botanicals but the sheer amount of strong alcohol they were consuming. One guy went nutso and started stabbing people, and although he’d been drinking heavily all day the police zeroed in on the two absinthe’s he drank as the culprit, it was banned and a mythological story about its hallucinatory started being passed around like the Richard Gere gerbil story that never happened but everyone heard back in the day, and it was such a widespread rumour that it’s still said with a straight face by some people today.

[@ross5839]

Also, Artemisa Absinthium contains Thujone, which added to the tall tale.

[@alimaleki6316]

Hey Jesse pls let us know if you liked the yerba mate or not ❤