There's a day for everything, and absinthe is no exception! March 5th is the day for celebrating this lesser known spirit, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a glass of absinthe on the rocks!

The History of Absinthe

Absinthe, nicknamed by the French, "The Green Fairy," has a long and rich history involving medicinal uses, legal prohibition past the end of the Prohibition, and being enjoyed by and featured in the works of famous artists. The primary ingredient in absinthe is artimesia absinthium, also known as wormwood, with the other two main players in a good bottle of absinthe being anise and fennel. Modern day absinthe is made by taking neutral alcohol and re-distilling it along with wormwood, anise, fennel, and often other ingredients to create the bitter green drink painted by Picasso and romanticized by Oscar Wilde.

The Absinthe Drinker by Pablo Picasso

Absinthe is thought to have been created in Ancient Egypt, well before the common era, and was used by the Ancient Greeks as well for medicinal purposes. Hippocrates is known to have prescribed absinthe for jaundice, anemia, menstrual cramps, and rheumatism. In more modern times, absinthe went through periods of popularity and periods in which it was viewed as the worst of evils. Hemingway refers to absinthe as "opaque, bitter, tongue-numbing, brain-warming, stomach-warming, idea-changing liquid alchemy."

Despite (or maybe because of) the history of ups and downs and strong feelings that have been associated with absinthe, it was banned in the United States in 1912 - a ban that lasted until 2007. Thujone, a toxin that is a part of the wormwood used in absinthe, was thought to be a convulsant and hallucinogen. Now, absinthe is legal again, with regulated thujone levels, and slowly regaining its former glory. 

Modern Day Absinthe: Absinthia Absinthe

Absinthia Absinthe is a women-owned business started by Absinthia Vermut, who has won multiple awards for the drinks she creates. Absinthia offers three different small batch absinthe bottles: Verte Absinthe, Blanche Absinthe, and Barrel Aged Absinthe. Check out the video to learn how to make an "Absgroni" with Absinthia, and click here to learn more about Absinthia's story and products!

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To celebrate National Absinthe Day the right way, check out the  Absinthia's Absinthe bottles on Tipxy.com here.