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Absinthe

© James Dixon

Wormwood is the ingredient in Absinthe that makes it illegal in most western countries. It is believed to have psychoactive properties due to the presence of a chemical called thujone that has a similar structure to tetrahydrocannabinol (the active component in marijuana). Some people believe that it can accumulate in the body of persistent abusers of Absinthe until it reaches toxic levels. Unfortunately, past research on the effects of absinthe and thujone has been incomplete or inconclusive.

The traditional way to serve Absinthe is to pour cold water through a perforated spoon (illustrated) full of sugar into a glass containing a shot of absinthe (using a fifty-fifty combination of absinthe and water). As the water mixes with the absinthe it turns a milky white. A variation practised in Prague is to caramelise a spoon of sugar and stir it into the absinthe before diluting with water.

If you can't get hold of a bottle of Absinthe (remember it is illegal in the US), Pernod (the original absinthe) is probably its closest relative.

If you would like to find out more about Absinthe visit Hill's Absinthe (you can buy absinthe here - UK only), La Fee Verte, Absinght FAQ (contains information on thujone and the influence Absinthe might have had on Van Gogh's work) and Mining Co.