Absinthe is the French word for wormwood. It's pronounced ab'- sant.
Wormwood is a plant, or to be more precise, a number of plants classified within the genus Artemisia.
Liquid preparations made from the Artemisias have been used as medicines and tonics for as long as human history has been recorded. Once such medicine, based upon the plant Artemisia absinthium (known to the French as grande absinthe, literally, "tall wormwood", but usually given in English as Common Wormwood) came to be so greatly appreciated in France and Switzerland in the 18th and 19th centuries that people took to drinking it for pleasure. That elixir, a distillate of wormwood and other herbs in alcohol, was called "extrait d'absinthe" (wormwood extract), or, less formally, absinthe. An ever-growing demand for this medicine turned aperitif as the 19th century rolled into the 20th engendered an enormous absinthe industry in Switzerland and France. Absinthe became an emblem of Belle Epoque France, and was intimately associated with the explosion of literary and artistic activity that characterized the era. The industry and the era ended with the prohibition of absinthe manufacture and sale in Switzerland and France, in 1910 and 1915 respectively.
Where to Purchase Authentic Absinthe
Don't settle for imitations - the site offers authentic Czech Absinthe.
- Absinthe.bz where you'll find only authentic absinthe made according to the original, 19th century absinthe formula.
- Unlike most other internet based absinthe shops, our absinthes contain the original levels of the psychoactive ingredient thujone. It is thujone that produces the celebrated "absinthe effects". Our King of Spirits GOLD is the only absinthe that contains the original historic level of 100mg of thujone and the only absinthe capable of producing the absinthe effects.
Great links with info on Absinthe
- Zoomgraphics Absinthe Page
- Informative resource about absinthe and its mystique. Includes timeline and famous drinkers.
- Absinthe: what's your poison?
- Editorial concerning the history of absinthe and drinking alcohol. [British Medical Journal]
- Erowid Absinthe Vault
- A comprehensive Absinthe site includes experiences, history, composition, and links.
- Absinthe and Thujone
- Describes the chemical composition of thujone and its relation to Absinthe.
- Absente.com
- Absinthe substitute; distributor site. Serving instructions, botanical information, art and famous quotes. Free Absente desktop wallpaper.
- Absinthe in New Orleans
- Historical aspect and some warnings about drinking oil of wormwood. Links included.
- Decadence Cafe
- French 18th and 19th century poetry with collection of works by Arthur Rimbaud, Charles Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine and other Absinthe enthusiasts.
- Emerald Quest
- Provides a log of travels and experiences while researching Absinthe.
- Absinthe Buyers Guide
- Product guide, FAQ, photos, history, vendors, articles, and books.
- Dancing with the Green Fairy
- Provides information on Absinthe's controversial history as well as a breakdown of ingredients, and medicinal properties. Related art and links included.
- Jean Nicolas: Absinthe
- From site dedicated to the poet Rimbaud, with quotes from Paul Verlaine and Oscar Wilde.
- Hill's Absinth
- Manufacturer site provides history and an FAQ on the drink, as well as articles and Canadian availability information.
- The Wormwood Society
- Non-profit educational organization. Covers US laws, FAQ, product reviews and vendor recommendations. Basic and concise instructions for preparation. Friendly discussion board.
- Liqueurs de France
- Distributor site. Carries high-end authentic absinthes, glasses, spoons and fountains. FAQ, historical background and recent scientific data. Information about absinthe distilleries.
- ABSINTHE.SE
- Detailed reviews of absinthes, absinthe substitutes and oddities. Preparation instructions, historical information, publications and vendor list.
- Absinthe Originals
- Absinthe antiques and reproductions. A brief history of absinthe and preparation instructions.
- Absinthe Lovers' Journal
- The LiveJournal Absinthe Community. Moderately active weblog.
- Louched Lounge Absinthe Forum
- Very active message board. Not for the faint of heart or easily offended.
- Frenchman Ltd.
- Vendor site. Premium absinthe, spoons, fountains, bottles, glasses.
- Fine Spirits Corner
- Vendor site. Premium absinthes, Cuban cigars, P%uFFFDt%uFFFDs, marc, wine, brandy, grappa and other premium spirits.
- absinthe-distribution.com
- Vendor site. Wide variety of premium absinthes, glasses, spoons, fountains. Information on distilleries.
- Sebor Absinth
- Vendor site. Sells Sebor absinth, Slivovice and flavored vodkas.
- The Virtual Absinthe Museum
- Absinthe and Absinthe Antiques at the online virtual museum of absinthe art and antiques. Webshop selling absinthe spoons, glasses, posters, books. Amazing slection of vintage posters and products.
- La Fee Verte Absinthe House: Established 1997
- One of the largest collections of information on Absinthe on the net! Including The Original Absinthe Buyer's Guide, Absinthe Forum, Recipes, Historical Documents and Reference, Articles, Art, Poetry & Absinthiana Collectibles.
Great Stuff on Amazon
Absinthe & Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 01/05/2010) 
The Book of Absinthe: A Cultural History
Amazon Price: $11.20 (as of 01/05/2010)
Absinthe, Sip of Seduction: A Contemporary Guide
Amazon Price: $18.70 (as of 01/05/2010)
Absinthe: History in a Bottle
Amazon Price: (as of 01/05/2010)
Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to "Professor" Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar Featuring the Origina
Amazon Price: $16.29 (as of 01/05/2010)
by beta920
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