The Truth about ABSINTHE: Just a $$ TRICK on Tourists?

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0:00 Absinthe Everywhere
0:18 The Problem With Absinthe
1:12 Hallucinations?
1:29 Illegal?
1:46 Cheap?
2:30 Just A Marketing Tool
3:57 Absinthe Breakdown With an Expert
5:07 Shopping for the REAL Absinthe
7:54 Secret Final Tip
9:00 Czech Word
Thank you for your support!
Janek Rubeš & Honza Mikulka, Prague based journalists
#HonestGuide

[@spectator5709]

Would have been interesting if you would have just briefly mentioned the rules proposed by Switzerland, or how Absinth was traditionally made :)

[@nekrosis4431]

Taking alcohol and mixing in herbs, flavors and coloring makes fake absinth. Switzerland defines it has to be distilled, then the herbs have to be macerated, and then it is distilled again. Also it requires to include the herbs green anise, grande wormwood and sweet fennel. Im sure there are more rules.

[@quelodequelo]

In chzec Rep buy Žufánek It's too hard to make a good absinth, you just need to know a good manufacturer in your country

[@NarcoSarco]

Here in Switzerland we define Absinth as a alcoholic beverage containing 48% - 77% Vol. :)

[@spectator5709]

@@NarcoSarco So 50% alc Vodka is Absinth? Sounds weird.

[@JxDGT]

I would maybe add two minutes to this video explaining what the Absinthe actually is - you had a friend there, why not ask him? Or do some research where to get the "real" one? There are breweries in the CZ and I would bet there is at least a couple of stores in Prague selling it.

[@jeremie_avec_ie]

Come in Switzerland if you want real absinthe or look for swiss made ones.

[@MedievalSolutions]

As far as I remember, the only authentic absinthe made (in commercially accessible quantity) in CZ is made by Žufánek.

[@robertov1781]

In this video went in the shop and to other guy said " this is not real one" can we know the ingredients of the real one? And if it doesn't exist what you were looking for?

[@josephteller9715]

Sambuca is probably closer in taste to Absinthe, but in reality none are absinthe since wormwood is no longer used in any of the processes because of the poisonous effects of the thujone (it can cause seizures, nervous system damage, kidney damage etc.)

[@aaronaaronsen3360]

​@@josephteller9715the reason absinthe was banned in France is because they estimated that wormwood had toxic quantities of thujone, but they really didn't have a precise way of measuring it. When the technology to do those measurements became available, scientists did find that the quantities were way below what the people responsible for the ban estimated. By the way those people were wine lobbyists, totally disinterested 😂

[@FlameEmber]

I love that @8:46 literally the guy is passing by, notices Honest Guide, gets offered candy, asks "What is Absinthe?" And then he is just left alone on the street to wonder what even just happened. 😅

[@alessiobaruzzo1679]

I like to think he saw him on a lime scooter so he kinda bullied him ahah

[@stuartmacdonald9289]

Kinda like the viewers then. OK so you showed us the vast quantities of fake absinthe, but how about showing us the real stuff. What is Absinthe ?

[@ghassanalfarra8935]

For those who don't know, the sweets Hašlerky are made from the herb Licorice, so Absinth tastes like Licorice candy

[@Jack-cq9pv]

Makes sense that Pernod make absinthe then!

[@kwikdahl]

So it is a bit like Ouzo and Raki?

[@ghassanalfarra8935]

@@kwikdahl I wouldn't say it's like Ouzo, which is made from distilled anis seeds, licorice is quite different in taste from anis. Don't know about Raki, but google states, that it's made from distilled grapes, so that too would be a no no Licorice, in case you don't know wether you've had it before, is also used as an ingredient in natural herb based cough medicines, as an expectorant.

[@jesusrodriquez526]

Common wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is the traditional plant used in making of absinthe, that can be and commonly is replaced with anis. Wormwood being the plant associated with the additional effects absinth has compared to other hard liquors.

[@TheRealVandpistolen]

Absinthe is made from Fennel which taste like Liquorice, not Liquorice roots itself (:

[@Action35]

I love watching this on the off chance I go to the Czech Republic. Probably won't ever happen, but it's good to be prepared.

[@babyj5184]

Do it what’s stopping you explore the world

[@Aaron.Garner]

@@babyj5184 I'm heading to Prague in two days time! Thanks to honest guides I have so many places marked on my Google maps. I'm still having a trldenik even though I know that it's not traditional haha

[@LordIvoryCZ]

@@Aaron.Garner enioy Prague! Locak Prague guy here :D.

[@babyj5184]

@@Aaron.Garner enjoy it! It really is a beauty city with lots to see. I’ve not been since finding these guys but I fell victim to a lot of the scams that they cover. So it’s definitely a good thing going armed with their knowledge. Enjoy my friend and let me know how it goes x

[@PEaChKiLLER2238]

Dude im also heading to prague in two days!! This saturday i will be landing in Prague

[@pedrostormrage]

Okay, here's a definition: "Absinthe is made by redistilling neutral alcohol with botanicals-the 'holy trinity' is wormwood, anise, and fennel-to create a concentrated, high-proof spirit. Other ingredients that are commonly added include hyssop, melissa, star anise, and lemon balm. Producers then reinfuse the spirit with more of these botanicals to give it its characteristic green hue (sometimes producers skip this step, which results in 'white' absinthe)". Also, fun fact: in the 19th century, absinthe was called the Green Fairy ("zelená víla" in Czech; hence the one in the painting at 9:10 ) because of its green color and the supposed hallucinogenic effects of thujone (usually present in wormwood), which is present in the spirit in trace amounts (so it is unlikely to be responsible for absinthe's alleged stimulant and psychoactive effects).

[@monikaunterwegs7960]

If you are in Europe to try the real Absinthe, you have to go to the Val de Travers in Switzerland. (A very rural, but beautiful area of Switzerland)

[@mrsnezbit2219]

Can you be more specific? Or I can find it anywhere in that area?

[@thomasrosler1180]

@@mrsnezbit2219 theres some hiking paths in that valley, on them in the middle of the woods you can find water fountains with absinthe bottles and glasses. You put a bit money in the cash box, put some absinthe in the glass fill it with fresh fountain water and drink it, then you continue your hike.

[@LeCalmar]

Don't come to val de travers, there are a lot of mosquito and ticks that carry deadly diseases. In addition, your car will get broken in on the parking lot, and you might get mugged.

[@mrsnezbit2219]

@@LeCalmar what?? Haha

[@LeCalmar]

@@mrsnezbit2219 Yes tourists should absolutely avoid switzerland, it's a terrible place.

[@assenzioitalia]

Compliments! you have described very well the situation in Prague (but in the whole world, except Switzerland). We remind also in Prague there are few (very few) specialized bars that serve authentic absinthe

[@shanojebs]

There is an absinthe bar in Prague centre, I had to seek it out, it's called Absintherie Jilska, they sold absinthe from Switzerland and France, it wasn't cheap but it seemed genuine

[@MT________]

Yes we have been there for some Absinthe! I also think it was legit

[@ferretyluv]

I’ve been there. I tried it. It wasn’t very good.

[@AlanKetzer]

Hello there ! Im from Argentina i visited the czech republic twice, and planning the third one for the next year. All your videos made me realise that i miss so much of Prague ! Thanks you so much !

[@JACpotatos]

The hallucination from traditional absinthe came from the wormwood. The ingredient is called thujone. I've never heard of chlorine being brought up as an answer

[@Whietie]

Exactly. Also EU laws regulate maximum amount of thujon in food & drinks so there is very low amount of it in any absinth in EU country

[@kazeryu17]

Back in the day, people were taking many drugs that are very illegal today while drinking bathtub absinthe which had nasty chemicals to mimic the color and flavor. Sometimes, people hallucinate when they get poisoned.

[@janpawel1297]

i made in home and add 3x times thujone having plant than in recipe for maceration before 2nd distilation and no halicunations but great herbal belching at hangover xD

[@grapetoad6595]

Absinthe still contains wormwood/thujone, however there still isn't any hallucination due to them (you'd due of alcohol poisoning first) Also, there is debate about whether thujone would even cause hallucinations in the first place. Edit: Thujone can cause seizures, however there *is* debate over hallucinations. Many reports of hallucinations are very anecdotal, and since they were from more than 100 years ago, before absinthe was banned, can be taken with a grain of salt. Also, not all absinthe contains wormwood, but there isn't any provision against it, and it is fairly traditional. As was stated in the video, since there isn't a definition, it's hard to say whether 'true' absinthe does or doesn't contain it.

[@JACpotatos]

@@grapetoad6595 plenty of Absinthe doesn't contain any depending on where you get it. You might think that doesn't make it absinthe, and I agree, but some countries have made it completely illegal to use wormwood. As others have mentioned, most countries that do use it still aren't allowed to use much. Basically, what you're getting isn't traditional absinthe by any means. However, there's no debate about whether thujone is hallucinogenic. There's only debate over whether absinthe ever contained enough to cause full on hallucinations. Chances are, it probably did cause minor hallucinations

[@MoMo-wt9dv]

I come from Val-de-Travers and I feel so bad about these fake absinthes, the fact that Absinthe is not protected is a disaster for the real ones. Unfortunately we face the same situation with our swiss cheeses from Switzerland (Gruyère, Emmental and so on).

[@shanerorko8076]

You know how much of a headache European food laws are for Australians? We have many immigrants that produce products like they were produced back in their home countries. Well due to protection laws we have to name things differently and many of our products are as good if not better than the originals.

[@pickleman40]

It feels like europe does not properly value or protect their culture in this regard, quite sad.

[@tanzkatzen]

I always buy Bovet because of the cat on the label, and I also like that Verte de Fougerolles from France

[@AltMarc]

Just buy if it's labelled Made in Switzerland... "the real one"? I was lucky to taste some illegal distilled Absinthe from the region, before the big new hype came about. The color was pale yellowish, didn't had much anis taste (because I hate Pastis), was mellow and I never, ever mixed it with water (or sugar...)

[@stuartgmk]

​@@shanerorko8076👍

[@KISSPAVLOS]

For that reason, the best alchohol that you can bring from Czechia is Becherovka or Slivovice.

[@dingdongdickweed6288]

Bercherova is so much nicer than Absinthe anyway.

[@TheFwibib]

I will say that when I go to Prague, the only spot that I really enjoyed visiting for absinthe was Hemingway Bar near Charles Bridge! It's very small and a little bit touristy, but they used many true absinthe options in their cocktails and pointed me in the direction of some very good Czech absinthe

[@OsaSoft]

yep, was going to write this in the comments. Its a really nice bar with quality cocktails in the historic centre

[@supermantheory5116]

I love your videos , keep it up 😍😍

[@WhereWhatHuh]

IT won't make you hallucinate, but absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.

[@camhabibi2217]

My American friend went to Prague for the first time last week and she posted a picture from an absinthe bar. I was disappointed on behalf of Honest Guide.

[@rawbin2K]

In Sweden we have government monopoly on Alcohol sales and there is only 8 bottles of absinthe you can buy and they all seem to have no sugar and coloring so I guess it depends on the regulation in each country 🤔

[@martin.m4306]

anything from Valkyria is good, not sure about the rasslebygd one but they are both better than the pernod one

[@Pehmokettu]

Here in Finland you can be very lucky if you find any other absinthe than Pere Kermann from Alko (the government monopoly alcohol store). It is strange because Finnish people love licorice and good absinthes should taste like it. I used to drink plenty if absinthe when I was younger but those were just the stuff from Alko. If I found anything else than Pere Kermann sold as absinthe then I bought it. 😅

[@figurehead242]

​@@martin.m4306Valkyria is awesome! The first batch they even sold went on to win the Absinth Masters.

[@Zurich_for_Beginners]

The real Absinth comes from the Val De Travers in the Jura Mountains in Switzerland. And you drink it by put in a class then you take Absinth spoon put a piece of sugar and on that spoon. After that you let ice cold water slowly run over the sugar in to the Absinth. During this the Absinth wil change the colour from green to milky white.

[@higltypig]

absolutely loved our visit to the absytherie or whatever it's called - lovely little bar and experience. NOT cheap though :D

[@LonelySparta]

Wow i used to watch you in 2020 and you still upload.

[@marksaar9698]

Wow nice to know this😂

[@pedroacevedo5791]

When I was in Prague, I was able to find a real absinthe bar in the old town district, it's called Green devil's absinthe bar. I had an amazing time over there and the guy serving absinthe knew a lot about it.

[@johannesphilipp24]

Yes, it's very unique there. But do you know it the absinth is worth the price there? It's super expensive though. Maybe that's also a bit touristy...

[@pedroacevedo5791]

@@johannesphilipp24 Yeah, it was a bit expensive, but the atmosphere and absinthe of the bar were worth it

[@robd1365]

I’d sooner drink fernet, becherovka or something quintessentially Czech. I have so many fond memories of Prague as well as other places like lytomysl, Brno being my favourites. Has Prague succumbed to tourism so badly, I’d love to go back but afraid I’d be disappointed in how things changed

[@timor64]

FYI two different Czech restaurants opened in the one neighbourhood of Sydney, Aus in the early 2000's. Both of them sold Absinthe as a sort of signature drink. I just assumed that somehow Absinthe survived in Czechoslovakia then Czechia after it was banned in France and became a sort of a Czech "thing"

[@2Sexy4MyMusic]

I was really into it for a short time when I lived in Heidelberg. Careful, thought as it's strong and an herbal speedball at the same time. You could be buzzed yet awake and alert. I remember once literally not sleeping all night from drinking a bit too much.

[@kazeryu17]

As an American, I feel that we send some of our worst to Prague. I have seen way too many cringey videos of drunken clueless frat kids in bars, in Prague hyping themselves up as if they are at a hockey game while some guy is setting absinthe on fire, and they think it's the coolest sh!t they ever seen. I wouldn't be surprised if some bar tenders thought "I can drain a little bit of coolant from my car right in front of these idiots and call it absinthe, and they would pay a premium to down it in a shot glass."

[@Whatwhat1235]

Thanks for this as A UK tourist it saved me Turn the bottle and read

[@EternalPilgrim]

I'd say an "E" in the end of the word "absinthE" is a great tell as well. Artificial liquors are generelly labeled "absint" or "absinth" and the artisanal as "absinthe". 🤓👍🏻

[@WelsyCZ]

Its just Absint in czech, so that doesnt really help much.

[@mattihp]

Is this the first time you say Czechia instead of Czech Republic? Then quickly followed by Czech Republic.

[@hsr.babY123]

Both versions are totally ok. Czechia will be used more going forward.

[@WelsyCZ]

@@dejuren1367 Yeah, call it soviet union or former soviet colonies and youre gonna get punched in the nose.

[@valmarsiglia]

Here in New Orleans we have the Old Absinthe House, operating since 1896 though as a bar only since the 1830s. Now, absinthe was illegal for a long time so they didn't start serving it again till fairly recently, but these days you can get various types of domestic and imported absinthe as well as absinthe frappés. It's also where Aleister Crowley wrote "The Green Fairy."

[@BabaTova]

I can't believe the bottle you placed in the thumbnail is the exact one I bought at the airport back from prague.... But I bought it for special cocktails

[@Jack-cq9pv]

I was looking to buy some absinthe online and was confused by how cheap some of it was, but how expensive brands like Pernod absinthe were - thanks for this info!

[@Tiax776]

Pernod Ricard supports Russia's invasion of Ukraine, avoid them.

[@nox5555]

You can get decent stuff for 30€ a bottle, but thats true for every sprit.

[@christianterrill3503]

My ex girlfriend brought me back soem real absinthe from france it was pretty nice. You can tell real absinthe by how cloudy it gets when you add water.

[@MrHorse-by3mp]

Thanks for the informative video. Yeah, I tried it in Prague over twenty years ago when it was still illegal everywhere except maybe Andorra. I had read about it being popular in France a century ago and knew that it was supposed to have water slowly poured over a sugar cube like pastis (which is just absinthe without wormwood.) So I knew that this show the waiter put on with the flambe and everything wasn't exactly the authentic experience, but whatever, I tried it. The buzz was basically alcohol with a slight marijuana-like effect. So, not sorry I tried it but it didn't change my life or anything.

[@ichdieLivi]

omg come on *PLEEASE* , watching your videos it seems i fell for ALL the tourist traps out there. I still have an "absinth" bottle exactly one of those you show at home, I brought from a visit to Prague more than 10yrs ago - good thing I never drank it I guess haha

[@gerrimilner9448]

i love prauge, my fovarate city i have ever visited and i live near london. alfonso mucha is my favorate artist so its not surprising

[@Meatball2022]

Went to prague in 2015 and went to an absinthe bar not far from the clock. Very cool place.

[@brick6347]

Absinthe's supposed hallucinogenic properties are a myth. In the 19th century it was a) strong b) cheap. It was basically the Victorian equivalent of MD 20/20, so unsurprisingly it found popularity with the seedier side of society who drank... a lot. Even well-to-do folks in the 19th century would drink alcohol in amounts that would land you in rehab in these days. The French wine industry also loathed competition, so campaigned against it, spread a lot of rumours about it's dangers, and hyped up the hallucinogenic myth. There was a famed in case in Switzerland of a man who got black-out-drunk, murdered his pregnant wife and then tried to claim he wasn't in control because he was high on absinthe. The media ran with it (of course they did) and its reputation stuck.

[@logitimate]

It's also worth noting that even the prohibitionist propaganda doesn't depict absinthe as a recreational hallucinogen; it depicts absinthe as a poison that causes cumulative damage over time, resulting in a syndrome experienced by chronic "absinthists" (read: severe alcoholics, often including ones who never actually drank absinthe) in hospitals and sanataria . . . which, not coincidentally, is consistent with both delirium tremens (severe, potentially fatal alcohol withdrawal) and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (brain damage resulting from heavy alcohol intake and insufficient thiamine).

[@chronischgeheilt]

So interesting! Now I want the facts about the mentioned Cannabis Marketing Trap 😂

[@reynard2ki]

He has a video on that already.

[@blairmulholland]

Properly distilled absinthe made with fennel, wormwood and anise is colourless. Any green absinthe you see is coloured with something. The good quality green absinthes from France are steeped with melissa to impart the green colour. Good absinthe should be made this way and not with artificial flavours or food dyes. It should also be noted that red absinthe is supposed to be made with hibiscus flowers, not dye. At the end of the day though, as long as it clouds up, tastes like licorice, and you enjoy it, there's no problem. If you're buying Czech absinthe in the first place, you deserve whatever you get.

[@bryanmoses9792]

As a fan of the green fairy myself, I recommend a traditional pour at the Hemingway Bar :) cheers!

[@rafx2014]

When in Czechia, stick to high quality Slivovice

[@outeast999]

​@@dejuren1367Fun fact: You can get fake vodka in Czechia too! (Ingredients water, alcohol, vodka flavouring.)

[@kedrak90]

The only time I've been to Prague was when I've been with my school class in the final year of German school. It must have been the first time I've been properly drunk, I'm kind of a late bloomer. My classmates have been visiting the Absinth museum and have been hammered all the time. If I remember correctly the museum was betweeen the castle and the Karl's bridge. It was before the weed boom. We figured out that the strangely dusty and cheap bottle of alcohol at he convenience store was cinnamon flavoured and it was disgusting. With a bit of Sprite it turned palatable and lost all of it's overwhelming cinnamon flavor. I guess sometimes its fine to get ripped off as long as you enjoy it. I nontheless enjoy everything you are doing and I have learned a lot if I ever decide to visit again.

[@RealGestumblindi]

Real absinthe from the Val de Travers in Switzerland, where it originates, typically isn't even green, mostly clear. By the way, absinthe was illegal in Switzerland from 1910 to 2005; for a long time, the ban was even in the constitution (because that's the way Swiss popular initiatives work). But it was clandestinely produced and sold, of course.

[@ViktorG1992]

Going to prague next weekend 😊

[@mikesmith3438]

It is such a nice refreshing drink if you enjoy the flavor. I like it with a little sugar. I also noticed the flavors started to change after 2 glasses. Easy to drink and can get you drunk pretty fast.

[@presidentofgamsutl]

For those wondering what IS a good absinthe, hunt down Kubler absinthe. Found it in some rando liquor stores in Phoenix $65~ a 750ml. From what I've heard, it's damn close to original recipes, without the banned ingredients. Also Swiss regulated

[@Richdragon4]

Also recommend Hašlerky as a native. Very tasty indeed and also cheap, which makes it even more Czech. Just go to some regular supermarket and it will be there.

[@anonymerdan5954]

the strange thing is... i was thinking about absinthe today :D

[@yateslawrence]

As I understand it there are two completely different drinks called absinth - one is distilled absinth and the other, macerated absinth. The former is what was popular in France and the latter in Bohemia. I like both. I usually drink it at the Absintherie on Jilska which, incidentally was the most consistently welcoming bar I visited in Prague last week. I recommend it. I would be happy to be corrected if my opening statements about absinth are incorrect or flawed. Thanks.

[@ltamha]

Respect for being willing to accept you could be wrong about something, that's pretty darn rare on the internet. Stay awesome 😊

[@yateslawrence]

@@ltamha - It comes from a lot of practice at being wrong.

[@hatiskalli1954]

the intro is killing me :D

[@rus.t]

Woah. New editor?

[@OttoStrawanzinger]

Swiss or French absinthe is actually a very nice drink on its own, it‘s a shame that for the sake of ripping off tourists, people are being sold such low-quality stuff. As for drinking in Prague, I‘ll strictly stick with beer. 🍻

[@user-xr9op5re7r]

Lmao they sell fake beer too m8 smdh

[@OttoStrawanzinger]

@@user-xr9op5re7r nonsense. Just drink draft beer where the locals go. What even is fake beer meant to be?

[@SebbeSebbe]

We drank real (I assume) absinthe at Hemingway Bar in Stare Mesto like 10 years ago. We were seated in their lounge area and the drink was served via that dripping mechanism.

[@mikeklein1779]

I'm American. I will be a tourist in Prague next year. I can't anticipate wanting to deviate from the amazing beer.

[@dustojnikhummer]

I recommend you to leave the center of Prague, which is a one giant tourist trap

[@SoNoFTheMoSt]

my dad got me absinthe from france years ago and it was in a tiny bottle with a pipette and you only put a few drops in a glass of water and youd get wasted lol, was really nice!

[@laclandestine]

Good to see that some of the comments already made here refer to Absintherie and Hemingway. There’s also Green Devils Bar and Shop. All three of these (and there may be more) sell an excellent range of high quality absinthes (Swiss, French etc) which they usually serve correctly. No marketing BS at all. Can I suggest you owe those bars the favour of another video explaining how they do things properly. That might actually encourage other bars and shops to do likewise. Criticising every outlet by suggesting that there is nowhere selling real absinthe is rather unfair on those who sell real absinthe and who serve it correctly.

[@janpawel1297]

I made absinth in home once with hand gathered herbs( anisic seeds buyed) I wasn't hallucinating, but my hangover belched the herbal flavor

[@Asia.Speedy]

So good to know that I bought a real one when I was in Prague! :O * the feeling of not being scammed *

[@zeynepyldrm3587]

how did you find one and where? i am planning on going to Prague soon and I want to know too :)

[@JirkaZamazal]

@@zeynepyldrm3587Try Absinthe St. Antoine made by Zufanek. These guys are well known in Czechia and you can taste it in Bartida bar in Prague center 😊

[@sifujedi]

Perhaps a follow up absinthe video. Would a made in Swiss product be a good option, is there such a thing.

[@Mirin_the_Witch]

I (Czech) once had absinthe made by a friend's grandfather. That stuff was amazing. The only downside was that it went down like wine and... let's say it was pretty far off from the potency of wine. It was probably one of the strongest alcohols I've drunk, ever. That led to fairly rapid decline of mental faculties, which led to even more drinking, which lead to some amount of undignified behavior, mostly consisting of falling over and finding that fact hilarious, combined with the irresistable urge to go for a walk around the campground. It was the first time I had a hangover, too. I've had wormwood tea before (good for stomach upset. The stomach gives up in self defense). The thing tasted like it was packed with it, except it wasn't as bitter. It tasted the way wormwood tea smells. With a hint of anise. Completely masked the taste of alcohol for me. "Someone's grandfather" is honestly my favorite brand of alcohol. I've got another friend whose grandfather makes amazing mead, and another one who's got a small vineyard somewhere around Mikulov. There were times when gatherings became a competition of slivovicas, almost like it was tied to family honor to have the best one.

[@chillies4156]

Nice video

[@polemius01]

Fun video. "Vila" were characters in "Harry Potter." Also, the "Willis," spirits of spurned women who lured unfaithful men to their deaths. The English expression, "The Willies," (Eerie feelings) comes from the word, too.

[@hotdatedave]

Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.

[@chatters7969]

Hi there, I am visiting the liberec region for 3 weeks this summer, do you have any videos on this?

[@chrisb7528]

It used to be illegal in the US but now it's legal and it is clearly labeled when it has wormwood. Some brands even include the absinth spoon, just need sugar cubes and you are good.

[@facelessvaper]

I used to get the 160 proof 80% black from Spain, mates stop being able to get it on planes then someone got me a bottle that was black but it was only 40% - shot of 80% in a half glass of strong Somerset cider was awesome on a summers day + you only needed one drink!👌👍

[@isx2005]

Good episode covering another issue we have here. Would have been a great video if the expert could have pointed out some real absinthe for us, the ignorant ones 🤔😃 oh well, maybe a follow up episode is warranted.

[@tomxhardy]

7:39 did the guy say "legislatva niedojebana"? I almost fell of my chair, sounds super funny to me (yes, I'm Polish). Cheers!

[@glaubhafieber]

I got one of those small bottles as a souvenir. I don’t care what it is, i was happy that the person veven brought me something, i never drank it anyway 😱

[@yannickille4049]

Greetings from Sulawesi!

[@NortholtJohn3]

Hi Janek, from my memory of Prague when I first visited, 2 main brands stick out from the first time I tried Absinth, they are Hills, and Sebor, correct me if I’m wrong

[@KAFKUBA]

I wasted my time learning czech for 20 years. I had no idea what they were saying in the store.

[@heinrichmuller7974]

it's been my experience that "real" absinthe is clear in colour, and doesn't turn green until you've poured water over the sugar cube and into the drink itself. *personally, drinking absinthe is more about the ritual than in "getting high", melting the sugar cube, mixing the drink* also it takes like black liquorice if anyones wondering but not strong like sambuca, it's more subtle and highly enjoyable.

[@kamylko]

And what about Absyntheria pub near orloj? I love that place! ❤

[@jackalofalltrades8705]

Hey Janec now that we are on the topic of beverages, would you go to (Al minute pizza pasta) by the astrological clock and review their death boiled cappuccino.

[@MikesTropicalTech]

I went to southern Cambodia and went to a place that was selling locally-made Absinthe, frankly it seemed legit. They had 4 strengths - 40, 80, 120 and 180, of the parts per million of the hallucinogen made from wormwood. I tried the 120 and had absolutely no reaction at all.

[@logitimate]

Thujone is only hallucinogenic in the same sense that caffeine is -- take enough of any CNS stimulant, and you may start to see or hear things that aren't actually there. Also, the idea that pre-ban absinthe was a hallucinogen is mostly based on misremembered or misunderstood prohibitionist propaganda that described it as a slow poison that caused brain damage resulting in hallucinations even after one stopped taking it. And that propaganda, in turn, was likely based on a misunderstanding of delirium tremens and/or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

[@zemokralj9013]

For people interested in the spirit not the candy If you want too see is absinth for me French pastis is an anis liquor usually between 80 and 100 proof doesn't cost you a fortune and served over ice tastes amazing And since its not called absinth ther are regulations to what it may contain Swiss absinth also has some really good destillers but comes at a little higher price and most of the time is overproof (thats not bad but most people i know needed some time getting used to it) I would advise people buy a 15 20 30 euro bottle of pastis see if the spirit suits you and only then try finding a CZ absinth

[@user-bu3sn6kd5n]

Translating the word “doj*baná” as “bad” is an interesting concept 😂

[@alexgut1everything]

😁

[@djgualtiermaldeCO]

Still this Colored absinthe work to get drunk...liked them

[@honkytonkinson9787]

For most of that stuff, you may as well buy some vodka, some licorice candy, and some green food coloring The good stuff is completely different, but you’ll probably hate it if you don’t like anise or licorice flavor. If you’re open minded, or enjoy strong flavors, it’s the freshest, very refreshing, sweet anise flavored beverage. Great sip after a heavy meal!

[@Hunter-zn2hx]

As far as I know bar Absintherie Praha has the real absint and serves it the right way.

[@Drunktopus]

Thanks for the tip. I will have to check this place out next time I'm in town!

[@Ironustlbb]

Hey guys! I'm looking for a video in which Janek's briefly shown us hotel on the river. Next to some building that was repurposed to be a restaurant (IIRC). Can you please help me find this episode?

[@sper.1]

All of these scammer stores and tourist traps just discourage me from ever visiting lol

[@ekv]

Wormwood, one of absinthes main ingredient contains "thujone". Thujone in nushell is neurotoxic, and can cause hallucinations, tho the quantity found in absienths is so low that you would probably die from alcohol poisoning before you experience any side effects from thujone.

[@jnaur6849]

0:52 I have the skull bottle hiding in there somewhere. 😂😂😂 tbh though I kinda figured knowing the true story of absinthe

[@Soundbrigade]

Wormwood from which the substance Thujon is coming and that is said to make you crazy is also present in Vermout, Campari, some bitters (bitter vodka) and other drinks. As I recall there's a limit how much thujon is allowed (mg/litre). Getting delirious from Absinthe is, as said a myth and the big problem is/was the amount of alcohol was consumed by the artists in Paris in late 1800's, like the problems with Gin in England earlier. The thing with Absinte is the procedure - the special spoon and glass, a sugarlump set on fire ...

[@MrKohba]

Yes , but no. Set on fire is wrong.

[@Soundbrigade]

@@MrKohba Yes and no, what? I found two figures: 35 mg/kg in bitters (that must be absinthe) and 10 mg/kg in alcoholic beverages with more than 25% volume of alcohol (being what). The tradition, and this is, I guess for show, to put sugar, infused by absinth, on the absinthe spoon, set fire to it and set fire to it and let the melted sugar drop into a glass of absinthe. I have bought many bottles of absinthe in the past, and I guess all but one have to be fake. The non-fake was unsweetend, very bitter and hand a pale greengrey hue.

[@desaturated-firefox]

Many of the bottles are really pretty though! Too bad the prices are so insane.

[@Talami771]

I actually enjoy absinthe. If I wanna treat myself with expensive liquor its my go to

[@iamagi]

You could’ve have pointed people to a good liquor store. The grocery store next to my AirBnb had a limited selection.

[@opaqueentity]

Could Kuba not say where you can get that good Czech absinth?

[@MrGromozheka]

Hello Janek! I have a question about the quality of "absinth" been sold. For the alcohol content on a bottle, does sellers legally obliged to follow this at least? And be non-toxic maybe?

[@HearBeyondMusic]

When I visited Prague I was looking forward to buying some Absinthe (knowing that Bohemia had it‘ own recipes ^^), however when I saw those shops I was screaming internally, seeing all those tourists in front of those Mini Markets. Finally, I found an Absinthe Bar which sold real Absinthe (but I think not all of it was the „real deal“). Actually bought 2 small bottles which were amazing =D

[@yamataichul]

This is the same with Romania and "țuică"/ "pălincă". Is this 30-80% plum based alcoholic drink. Is similar with tequila but is much powerful. The transitional made always beats the "legal" one

[@dominikpospisil486]

Or you can just buy it in supermarkets (real one). Perbahs Honza didn't tell that in video

[@yamataichul]

@@dominikpospisil486 more or less of the same products can be found in the supermarket. I know I recognized a couple in the video

[@stlouisix3]

It's Funny that the Czech absinthe is more dear/costly without better quality😂😂😂😅😅

[@magnuseikemolarsen6934]

Thanks for the video :) Seem like you heard my request :D Great that you put an expert on the video to come with some tips on red flags and what to look out for :D

[@BreadLobby]

I had real absinthe at a festival here in the U.S when I was 17. And I felt like I was dying

[@hernzo9798]

Just got back from Thailand 🇹🇭 weed is very legal there now . Love absenth on the rocks if it goes cloudy it’s the real deal

[@krcn00b]

come to switzerland for the real absinthe

[@sundaesmile]

I bought a bottle of absinthe years ago in the US. It was a Swiss brand, so good to know it was legit! haha