National Absinthe Day 2023: Date, History, Activities

On National Absinthe Day, which occurs annually on March 5, we honour the beverage known as “the green fairy.” Absinthe originated in Switzerland in the 18th century and gained popularity in France at the turn of the 20th century, particularly among artists and writers. The drink’s mystique and association with bohemian culture make it a particularly enjoyable beverage to enjoy today.

The background of National Absinthe Day

Absinthe is the drink of artists and writers, with Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Oscar Wilde among its most famous fans. If it’s acceptable for them, it’s acceptable for us! Absinthe was long outlawed in the United States and a large portion of Europe due to its reputation as a highly addictive hallucinogen! The beverage is composed of wormwood, anise, and fennel and contains trace amounts of the psychoactive chemical compound thujone, according to some reports. It has been demonstrated that it is no more dangerous than regular alcohol, and it has since been legalised, but its reputation persists, making it seem forbidden and exciting. The traditional method for serving absinthe is called “louching.” Here’s how to proceed: Place 1 ounce of absinthe in a glass, place a slotted spoon over the glass, place a sugar cube on the spoon, and use an absinthe fountain or carafe to drip ice water over the sugar cube. As the sugary water dribbles down, the green absinthe becomes milky and is ready for consumption. Watching an absinthe drink being prepared in the traditional manner is a lot of fun, but drinking the finished product is even more enjoyable!

NATIONAL ABSINTHE DAY ACTIVITIES

Attend a cocktail bar.

Many cocktail bars feature absinthe cocktails on their menus, and some upscale establishments even provide the necessary equipment for the traditional French preparation. Enjoy the distinctive flavour of absinthe cocktails. Salud!

Host an absinthe bash.

Invite your friends to your home to celebrate National Absinthe Day with a delicious absinthe drink. Purchase several types of absinthe and conduct a taste test, then prepare a variety of cocktails to determine which you prefer. Want to get into the spirit? Play French music and have your friends dress in Belle Époque attire.

Create your own absinthe drink.

You can make a wide variety of delicious absinthe cocktails on your own. Pour one part absinthe, two parts cranberry juice, and two parts lemonade into a glass filled with ice; stir in two parts cranberry juice and two parts lemonade; garnish with a lemon wedge, and enjoy! Similar simple absinthe cocktail recipes can be found online in abundance.

NATIONAL ABSINTHE DAY DATES