Unmasking the Absinthe Trap for Tourists

[@skjelm6363]

What an honest barkeeper!

[@garrysekelli6776]

Seems like a solid chap.

[@killingtime8612]

In line with this channel 😊

[@lukasolsz]

Honest? He said you would not have hangover. You will have a very loud hangover

[@skjelm6363]

@@lukasolsz well its not a hangover - you are sick af with a migraine from hell - but it is not a hangover

[@internationalparam]

@@skjelm6363 what a subjective statement

[@burkeiowa]

This looks much better for the Absinthe-minded tourists, compared to what the absent-minded tourists get in the touristy areas.

[@freakishuproar1168]

Heh, "absinthe-minded"... :3

[@JandyCZ]

I see what you did there. Good one, sir. :D

[@michaelantosch9888]

Good to see that you can actually get the REAL stuff in Prague (but avoid the fire at all costs!)

[@BakerVS]

I don't understand why you would want to drink absinthe in Prague. It's a Swiss drink (from the Swiss-French border region), why would anyone go to Prague for that? Go to Prague for beer (and other Czech drinks I'm not familiar with).

[@aselliofacchio]

Why not? It's just a f. King liquor! I drank scottish whiskey in Tokyo and many places in Prague serve Italian bombardino. What's the problem there?? Stop gatekeeping.

[@britt-sen]

If you enjoy it, have it. Absintherie has a decent selection.

[@richbulena8847]

It became a thing back in the 90s because the Czech Republic was one of the few places where it was legal at the time.

[@jean-emmanuelrotzetter6030]

Agree with the last sentence. But the history of absinthe is older than its success story that started late 18th century in a Jura region that now is part of Switzerland. Extracts from the absinthe plant were used already in ancient Egypt 3'500 years ago, then by the Greek, Romans with alcohol. After the beginnings late 18th century in Neuchâtel mountains region, main production moved still in in Jura mountains region in France (Pontarlier mainly), became popular in France and french speaking part of Switzerland. So successful that excessive usage lead 1908 to a total interdiction in Switzerland, 1915 in France. A substitute based mainly on anis then became a popular (Pernod, Pastis) Some 20 years ago, production of absinthe was allowed again with regional protected trade marks in Switzerland and France. But Czech beer is IMHO to be preferred to absinthe - not only in Prag, not only in Czech Republic but wherever available.

[@Ren99510]

I mean, several reasons if you think about it for two seconds. First of all, I doubt anyone is going to Prague for absinthe, but they may want to try it when there. Second, most people don't have unlimited money, unfortunately, and can't just hop over to different countries whenever they feel like it. Third, people like the drinks that they like or want unique experiences. Or maybe some people just don't like beer. For instance, Tennessee is known for whiskey, but nobody is going to be offended if you want vodka at a bar instead.

[@rothn2]

I love absynthe and have it at my local French place in a drip almost every weekend. I always get a reaction like "really?" from the waiter. But I very much enjoy it. And yes my favorite is clear but I thought it was supposed to e green. It happens to be from Switzerland. My life makes sense now!

[@lucky666strike]

As someone from the swiss region where absinthe originated from (Switzerland Jura, Muriaux) I really liked your video, thank you and greetings 🎉

[@dkdebest]

absinthe was orginated from pakistan. not swiss, swiss have only smelly fish in a can

[@sakeebkamal3472]

This channel doing a great job for Czech tourism! Honest Guide rocks!

[@Lwize]

Trdelnik, weed and absinthe - the Czech triple Koruna!

[@vaclav_fejt]

Aye, gone are the times when the three crowns were Bohemian, Hungarian, and Polish.

[@petershampshire]

All lived in harmony untill the Euronet cash machine nation invasion.

[@pekkalanger5076]

That’s what I come to Prague for. And the massage parlors.

[@acexprt]

One of the best videos on absinthe. Very accurate information.

[@cysoun]

I'm from Neuchâtel, Switzerland where the modern absinthe is primarly made. I've been to the Absintherie in November 2023 and this place is legit! Plus, Jirka is a great and passioned guy. Their only downside is the price of a glass of absinthe since it 3 times more expensive than in most of our bars here in Switzerland. In the other hand, the Absintherie has a lot of interesting stuff and fantastic cocktails based on absinthe which are worth the price! Cheers!

[@kulman4295]

Prague streets: full of Absinthe that locals don't drink, full of Thai massages that are performed without oil and their clothes on that no local or Thai native would normally want, full of Trdelník 's that are actually rather Slovakian and locals also do not really eat or even know. I have been to Prague twice and to me it always feels like it is so artifically geared towards presenting something that tourists would consider as a "thing" to try here. I live in Vienna and we dont have this here and tourists are also more spread out across the city - in Prague they are all from the castle over the bridge to the old town, like a theme park. And here I also can't think of anything so massively "sold" that is also something that at the same locals would not consume, do or participate in. Still, Prague is a very nice city, it just has this super touristic vibe in the mentioned area

[@Derminatorable]

Wow, I was at this "Absintherie" probably 15 years ago?! It was great then but it has changed the decor for good. Now it looks very pretty.

[@Dwayne-Mobile1]

This owner is knowledgeable and his place is so cool . I wish I could go!

[@yateslawrence]

I love this place. The Czech and French absinthes are quite different - I like both. At the moment I'm preferring Czech macerated absinth, next week, who knows. I highly recommend this place! Excellent staff, wonderful atmosphere (but take plenty cash).

[@wifix3822]

I like how he asked how much , he didn't assume he would get it for free, getting scammed too many times protection mentality 👏👍

[@southernbreeze3278]

be surprised if was any expectation of him paying - the advertising here more than covered cost. the ask was for us, the viewers, I believe

[@0L1]

@@southernbreeze3278 Exactly

[@pedrostormrage]

8:22 "I absolutely love the sticker on your door" No wonder why you two are friends 😂

[@420POGCHAMP]

i dont get it

[@pedrostormrage]

@@420POGCHAMP The sticker meant "no trdelník", and it's a running joke in the channel that Janek's not a trdelník fan (or at the very least he doesn't like the fact it's advertised as a Czech thing, because it isn't - it's Hungarian).

[@Greyman-x6d]

Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder, for a better drink!

[@MrGSilver]

By accident I actually went to this place and had the beetle Absinthe one. It was a great experience since the bartender explained everything in detail.

[@LindaLBH]

We were lucky to stumble upon this gem on our visit. Great experience.

[@Zombot012]

I'm a Bulgarian visiting my fav city in the world Prague three times a year and I have never tried absinthe in Czechia and I don't get how it got so popular with tourists there. I'll stick with the pivo, jeste dve piva, prosim! Also, I'd really like to find a nice bar beside Hemingway bar where they serve cocktails and it's a chill atmosphere so I can bring a girl there ^^

[@linogalveias]

black angel's is great and they know the drinks and cocktails

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Applebee's 😂

[@Zombot012]

@@linogalveias Thanks, will check it out!

[@michaelbrownlee9497]

It became popular because it was either in a Sherlock Holmes or Edgar Allen Poe novel and was banned back in the day because people hallucinated

[@beathrise629]

Kostka cukru is spelled exactly the same as in Polish ;) ♥ Luv your videos Janek!!!

[@Tyler2004durden]

I’ve been to Absintherie some years ago and had a really wonderful experience there. Besides trying real absinthe and enjoying the cozy atmosphere of the bar, spontaneously an opera singer, a bass player and pianist started playing and singing Czech songs. I warmly recommend the bar for anyone who is curious about absinthe. Oh, also… What made people hallucinate from drinking Absinthe in the past was because of the herb Wormswood, which is not found in today’s bottles, I believe, at least not in the same amount.

Wormwood is a basic herb for absinthe. Without a wormwood you get Anis drink. The latin name of wormwood is Artemisia Absinthium - from where the Abnsinthe drink got the name. So it MUST be inside :) And the amount is also roughly the same as in the past. The mistery about halucinating is a topic for another long discussion.

[@10jpmorgan]

@ That's what I've read about absinthe, too. Wormwood is actually poisonous, isn't it?

[@Tyler2004durden]

@ “There is a chemical found in wormwood-absinthe's primary flavoring-called thujone that's known to be a convulsant at extremely high doses.”

[@radekb.2953]

Haucinations had come from amount of Wormswood with combination of alcohol(80-90%+ I think?). It made - even after small portion consumed - huge halucinations and (self)destructive behaviour, quite often ended with death. Now by legal alcohol shouldn't exceed 70% or something like that.

[@JoeyRhubarb]

@@radekb.2953 No one hallucinated. It was a myth

[@westernrider100]

Interesting video and thanks for posting. For the couple of times that I have had Absinthe, they have made me determined to stay with Malort, which is another wormwood flavored beverage.

[@AmazingPhilippines1]

Cool! I bought a bottle of Absinthe here in the Philippines a few months ago and this is the 1st real info I found on how to drink it. Green "pretty" bottle attracted me to it.

[@KungFu_Batman]

I remember drinking absinthe in Brussels at this awesome bar called Floris Bar and it was the greatest drunk feeling! The experience itself was fun.

[@Michael-Rooney007]

Love the content and hohnesty in this!! Thank you!

[@GilesWendes]

Visited that place a few years ago, very pricey but brilliant cocktails. Loved it.

[@BranDao4_Civil_Engineer]

❤ Prague! Love from Greece!

[@DaweSlayer]

Efcharisto

[@MrMax9200]

Świetny material! Dzięki temu kanałowi myślę nad wycieczką do Czech :)

[@GeoRick]

Excellent video. Thanks, will check it out when in Prague.

[@harekrishnatheexplorer]

Love this city and your videos 🤩

[@flatcube3706]

At 1:10. The guy didnt want to advertise other shops lol

[@isthatpossible7354]

Just like the Italian anisette, absinthe contains anise and a very similar fennel that has a muscle-relaxing effect. I am a pizzaiolo by profession. After a very hard day when I wanted to go to sleep, a colleague persuaded me to go and drink absinthe in a bar. After two sips, I felt as if I had not worked. I became cheerful and rested. I prefer anisette because it has a more pleasant aroma and does not need to be diluted with water. The effect is the same.

[@HearBeyondMusic]

Nice Bar =D I‘ve actually been there last year, while looking for good absinthe. Was definitely worth it and I‘m going back there next week, when I‘m back in Prague! :D

[@maxanderson8259]

Real absinthe is a delicious and expensive anise liquor. My local distillery St George Spirits makes an awesome absinthe based on the 1800s Pernod recipe.

[@cokentutes]

"You can drinking for whole day" Honest words, to live an honest life.

[@eviljigglypuff2254]

I thought it had an association w wormwood back in the day

[@DelScully]

there is real absinthe then that neon green/red/blue crap that they sell as novelty absinthe. Both wildly different.. but a good absinthe with the right amount of chilled water, and sugar is a great sipper.. just like he showed! as long as you like a black licorice taste. I went to Prague about 7-8 years ago for a couple weeks when backpacking. I miss that city so much.. Had the time of my life!

[@flipster7746]

I went to prague few month ago. I passed in the Absinth in Mini markets because of scam . But this Barkeeper IS an honest man. Maybe I will Join His place

[@mobimaks]

I'm not a drinker, but after watching this video, I'm drooling 🤤 Also, love Hašlerky.

[@lrrrofomikronparmaside8904]

Honestly better if self made, highly recommend it!

[@nocaster51]

As a Polish speaker I'm not surprised "kostka cukru" is spelled the same in Czech but I'm shocked you pronouce it EXACTLY like in Polish which is almost never the case.

[@donegaldan102]

Actually tired this bar in January. Really cool spot.

[@radmarchand4751]

I’ve been here before. My wife and I came here on a whim one night. EXCELLENT stop.

[@tadskyobakov4098]

I've been to this place! Had a great time here! Shout out to Milan, the former bartender!

[@ianokay]

"they will explain us" means they will explain YOU, the person, so it's "explain (more) to us".

[@hoseja]

Jarred me too.

[@erbi3853]

Classic case of being confused by the Czech word order. In Czech, we don't use the preposition and sometimes it causes mishaps like this haha. Happens to the best of us 😅

[@MrVickk]

My wife and I will be in Prague around April 23rd. Grab a drink with us.

[@sara-vh7by]

fakt super video hoši . Moc se vám to povedlo:):)

[@Mycr0bi]

Oh yeah finally. Drinking it like this and having a nice convo is way better. Plus the Bohemian way is hot. :D We also only have a few absinth bars in Hungary where those darker ones are present. Good places.

[@Maxშემიწყალე]

What fantastic place. I'll have to check it out next time I'm in Prague.

[@MushrooMilkshake]

"Would you like absinthe? Well, do you like licorice? Oh course not no one does. You would not like absinthe."

[@ElephantCages]

Wormwood, had it in the states, minus wormwood.

[@sebastiank.908]

Thanks to you, your team and the barkeeper for the honest advices! :)

[@TheWeardale1]

absinthe makes the heart grow fonder

[@SorenBorgquist]

Nice video, as always. I'm going to Prague in 2 weeks. I won't be having any absinthe ... but I may have another look at the burger-video 😉😁

[@Z_E_B_O]

5:45 It's more of a party trick. When I was in Vienna they had a really nice absinthe bar (one shot was about 8€ I believe) and it was so cool, they had so many different absinthes. The strongest I tried had 89.9%, but of course it gets diluted with water. I can only recommend Marilyn Mansons absinthe, which actually does whiten very nicely and has a nice taste (for absinthe lol) and it has 66.6%. The hallucinations I believe came from copper poisoning, which during the prohibition period was just hard to avoid when it was made in private. Also the more thujon the absinthe has the more you can feel that other feeling that doesn't come from the alcohol (which in the video was described as a powerful feeling, but can also be described as feeling floaty or light), which is in the wormwood and there are specific limitations on how much you are allowed to put into your absinthe.

[@John_Candy]

I made my own absinthe and drank most of the bottle in a sitting and did get trails and visual snow

[@burdnurd]

"you can drinking for whole day!" Quotes to live by.

[@Happy_Spatula]

I don't drink & am not able to travel however your videos are such easy viewing 👌

[@ra-ge]

When you visit the Czech republic, it's the beers 🍺you must try. Definitely one of the best in the world and my personal favourite.🍻

[@kazeryu17]

I'm glad you have shown the good side of absinthe. Also, I'm glad you won't hallucinate and see green furries.

[@themightyimp08]

@5:23 it's really good. By this point, it's only 20% alcohol, half the strength of a whisky. I really think he could have got a better idea of he didn't just moisten his lip with it a couple of times.

[@the-o5202]

🤭 Drunk Janek for content. Awesome!

[@Tokilainen]

Absinthe is not hallucinogenic per se just because it's absinthe, but, the very high alcohol volume can cause hallucinations. Also, Absinthe is super delicious!

[@daviddavid2890]

One of the hostels I stayed in when I first visited Prague nearly 20 years ago didn't allow absinthe because people were always making a mess with burning sugar, and spilling it everywhere

[@jbmcdoogle]

I had absinthe in Olomouc back in 1994 and it was AMAZING! It was like taking a hit of LSD. My head floated off of my shoulders.

[@rogersimmons8788]

I thought it made the heart grow fonder!

[@MichaelAndersen_DK]

Finally! Now what about showing us where to drink ales? I.e. beer that is NOT pilsner/lager.

[@linogalveias]

Vinohradský Pivovar, Strahov Monastery Pivovar, Dva Kohoutí....

[@irfanhekimoglu2294]

So it’s like Rakı where you mix anise based alcohol with water and end up with a white drink in the end. Nice!

[@erzsebetkovacs2527]

It's because of the aniseed in both drinks (as well as French pastis). Raki with ice cold water is great.

[@jacobseal]

I love Absinthe. So good!! I will look up this place next time we visit Prague.

[@LaylaTow]

10:15 that „kostka cukru” sounded so polish. I know our languages are similar but that accent surprised me a lil bit :)

[@edwardkeselman5118]

I was there 2 months ago, it's really cool place. I tried the bohemian absinthe but I didn't like it as well. Still thought the place is really recommended if you never tried absinthe.

[@Mirin_the_Witch]

I had absinth only once and it was delicious - dangerously so. My friend's grandfather used to make it at home and the guy brought it when we were out camping. It tasted of herbs, a bit like if Jagermeister was good - if it wasn't so damn sticky and sweet and the taste was clearer and less muddy. I could smell the wormwood a mile away, but it didn't taste too bitter. It was rather dangerous in that for me at least, it was so aromatic I could barely taste the alcohol and I severely underestimated it. Apparently it was higher proof than homemade slivovica that I usually avoid because it's too strong for me, but I really couldn't tell. We drank it straight from the bottle and it's the only time I got so drunk I wouldn't remember bits of the evening. I would like to try it again sometime.

[@reynard2ki]

There is a really nice Absinthe bar in Antibes, France that was frequented by Pablo Picasso. The decor is vintage and you feel transported back in time.

[@danielnapoli649]

It has been said that absinthe makes the heart grow fonder 😂

[@pingamalinga]

Thanks for the lesson.

[@freakishuproar1168]

I don't drink alcohol, but something about a bar like that (the sheer aesthetic of the location, what I imagine the atmosphere is like, the gorgeous visual design on the various Absinthe brands) really appeals to me. What a cool location that I'd (sadly!) have little reason to visit. Unless they want some weird Brit loitering around looking at the walls and furniture in amazement ;p

[@freakishuproar1168]

@notme1345 They've got to have non-alcoholic alternatives, right? Heck I'd drink water if I got to spend time in such a bar :D

[@doccolour]

The very first thing I did when I first visited Prague 20 years ago was have a shot of Absinthe in front of me. I've been drinking it ever since, though I no longer use fire or drink the touristy green stuff... except for the occasional B-52 shot.

[@PrazanExpat]

The title is misleading, because Janek liked the traditional serving of absinthe. Note that tourists and expats have been drinking absinthe in Prague since the early-90s, specifically at Palac Akropolis in Žižkov. I don't know how it ever became a thing in Prague, but I remember meeting folks in Acropolis in 1994, where everybody wanted to try absinthe. And frankly, it tasted awful and made people drunk and then sick. I never wanted to try it again, until I saw the traditional pour at Absintherie. My next trip to Prague, I'm going to try it again, mixed with ice water in the traditional method, and Janek, if I get sick, I'm blaming you.

[@Shambhusah1238]

Love to see u again 😊

[@Martin-hb4il]

Makes me love being a Czech guy.

[@valmarsiglia]

Yeah, only time I was in Prague was in 1993 and I don't remember any absinthe shops or bars.

[@seattlegrrlie]

I once knew a guy who's family would send him good Absinthe from the home country (it's illegal in America). I love anise and it was delicious.

[@Hyreia]

I just like the anise/fennel/wormwood base with the herbal notes. If it's not "real" I don't care. I'm not much of an elitest about it. It can definitely be any green-yellow to off-white color though. Not Irish green.

[@BrigitteNolte-ln1ob]

I will visit this bar when i am in prague

[@onevastanus]

I drank absinthe and it seemed nice. When I went home I needed to use the bathroom and when I looked up from sitting on the toilet there was a massive lizard on the wall above the door. The other time I slept face down in the park near the penalty spot on the Sunday league football pitch. I think moderation might be the key.

[@susanyoung6635]

It's probably the time of year. It's kinda like me only being able to travel off season for free on American airlines and never around holidays

[@jamescheddar4896]

absinthe is just distilled wormwood. it's medicinal properties are on par with chamomile, if it gets you "high" you essentially messed up to the same degree as if you made cyanide trying to get cider

[@-TheFox-]

I really liked that video. I'm from Germany and in the 10th grade we visited Prague and the country is beautiful. Besides all the things we had done a friend and myself bought this cheap "absinth". Because we were 18 (I had to redo a grade) I mean we were pretty drunk after all. But after I watched your video I researched a little bit and here in Germany it is not even forbidden since 1998 anymore. And that in reality it's not so much different to other alcoholic substances lol

[@JJ-Malone]

Not a fan of setting fire to drinks, it burns off some of the alcohol. It's already overpriced I don't want to lose any of the alcohol.

[@markovcd]

Kostka cukru is also valid in Polish

[@johncarr2333]

Absinthe rocks... Great place at Breckenridge.

[@koirasdilluminatioy3835]

visited this bar back in 2017 or 2018ish and it was totally worth it!

[@blacklight4720]

Dam, in my 20's I was drinking so much absent clean. Sometimes as cocktails with Jagger and Aftershock, not every bartender knew how to make the cocktail right, sometimes I would get different results using the same ingredients. I wish I had known back then not to drink it clean and call bartenders on the wrong cocktail making. This brings me to say, do your homework, because some places don't have the right drinking culture (people simply might not know). Drinking 70% alcohol might hurt your health or your loved ones.

[@morriskeller]

Thank you forr the fun video:)

[@drgetwrekt869]

dont know about Prague, but in Switzerland in the original regions Absinthe is sooooo good. But also it kills your brain basically. Good memories.

[@kuukeli]

thank you

[@Ozzymandius1]

It's available in the states too.

[@MarvinCZ]

When absinthe was being demonized way back when as this hallucinogenic drink that should be banned, there was a famous story of the farmer who "had a drink of absinthe, which made him murder his whole family." One part of the story that was left out at the time: He also had about a dozen other alcoholic drinks and must have been totally wasted.

[@baumgrt]

It was a convenient excuse to ban it. If I remember correctly, the guy was a severe alcoholic and managed to drink some 4 litres of wine per day. Today, it’s fairly well documented that this happened mostly as a result of lobbying from winemakers. In the case of Switzerland, due to how our political system works, we ended up with a constitutional ban of absinthe (it was downgraded to a regular law in 1999 and finally repealed in 2005).

[@heidelbergaren5054]

On my way !