by Brit Herz

Created on: January 27, 2009   Last Updated: December 04, 2011

So you want to unleash the Green Fairy? You want to dwell in the open mind and heightened sense of being that the Fairy brings. Well you will be one of the millions of people throughout history that have sought out the effects of Absinthe. It was originally created in the eighteenth century by a doctor to aide some of his patients. He used distilled wormwood and other herbs to heal their aches and pains. It was bought from him by Major Dubied, who in turn sold it in the mainstream market. By the nineteenth century, the fable of the green fairy had flown into the lifestyle and creative minds of the bohemian clique. France was particularly influenced by the makings of Absinthe. In America, Absinthe was imported in the late eighteen hundreds. New Orleans became the unofficial Absinthe capital of the United States. It was then, in turn, banned in parts of Europe and the United States.

Ernest Hemingway described the effects of Absinthe as, "brain-warming and idea changing". It's affects have made it as popular as it is today, even though the main element in Absinthe that caused hallucinations and other affects has been removed. It was said to give the drinker a heightened since of awareness, "a better sense of the universe". To even the most skeptical drinker it is easy to say they experienced a different kind of drunkenness then what is achieved with other liquors. It was said that the drinkers of the old Absinthe, had such a level of heightened ideas that they could comprehend things non absinthe drinkers couldn't. It was also fabled to be an extreme aphrodisiac. However, it was very unbecoming of a woman to drink Absinthe, especially in public. Most that did were labeled as loose women.

Drinking Absinthe varies from place to place, and time in history. In Paris when Absinthe first made its big debut, there was a ritual at most bars called "Green Hour", which took place right before dinner. Everyone would down a shot of the green liquor.

When Absinthe first hit the scene, it was diluted with water and poured over a sugar cube to mask its harsh taste. Today, this tactic is taken a different way. In more modern times a sugar cube is placed on a spoon dipped in the Absinthe and set on fire and dropped back in the drink. The flame is blown out and the Absinthe is drunk quickly.

Most people who drink Absinthe do not drink it straight up. When at a bar it is a common misconception to be given a shot of Absinthe in a regular Whiskey shot glass. It is usually more approachable if you drink the shot in a larger glass with some cold water.

Of course there is the old art of the Absinthe fountain which isn't as popular today as it used to be. Basically the fountain dispenses water into the glasses of Absinthe and over layers of sugar. Absinthe is very easy to find now. Everyone from Marilyn Manson to Van Gogh have Absinthe brands with their names on the bottle. So find some, pick a way to drink it, and enjoy the Green Fairy.

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