Is absinthe safe to drink?

[scotman]

Hi all

I have been given a bottle of absinthe(yes, really). I believe that this has an aniseed flavour/smell. I do not like aniseed and have, in the past, had to move away from people who were drinking things like Pernod, Ricard etc.What should I do with this gift?

[rowanwitch]

use it in cooking.....small amount with beef...or give it to AP

[milly143]

I have a stinking hangover and the first post I see is about Absinthe. Eeeuugghhh.

I think I'm going to sick.

[jackthehat]

Don't read this thread, then, Milly...........:o)

http://www.theanswerb...V/Question982410.html

[milly143]

Ohhhh Jack! My insides feel like they really don't want to be inside anymore....

[jake-the-peg]

the history of Absinthe is quite interesting.

Yes it's perfectly safe it just got a reputation as the drink of choice of certain disreputable types about 100 years ago and the stories about "the green fairy" grew and grew.

There are traces of a psycotic chemical in it from wormwood but so little that there's little chance of any real effect

Probably more to do with the other drugs that that set were taking and it got wrongly (or deliberatly associated with the drink)

It's still illegal in France.

There's a whole ritual anout absynthe spoons to hold a sugar cube that the drink is poured on over a tumbler

Check out the wikipedia article if you haven't already - quite facinating

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe

[netibiza]

The only trouble is that when you have sobered up and drink water, it sets it off again, I think it is banned here in Spain, well at least in Ibiza.

[jake-the-peg]

I think it's legal in all the EU now

http://www.feeverte.net/faq.html

The Frence have stuck their heels in and bizarrely circumvented the legality by making it illegal to sell anything called Absinthe - it can be sold there under a different name.

You can certainly buy spanish Absinthe here:

http://www.absinthe-d...from-spain/index.html

[sandyRoe]

One of those Spanish absinthe's is called 'Delirium'. Are they boasting it would give you delirium tremens?

[McMouse]

It used to be made up to 74% proof and was supposed to be diluted. Taken neat it tended to be very addictive and people did some really crazy things. I think the modern stuff is about the same proof as other spirits and should be quite safe in moderation. Hate the stuff personally.