Absinthe – All You Need to Know | The Instacart Guide to Groceries

What is absinthe?

Absinthe is a very popular (and often misunderstood) distilled alcoholic drink. It’s also sometimes called “the green fairy” due to its green color, although it may also be clear, depending on the manufacturer.

It’s made from a concoction of leaves, flowers, and seeds of grand wormwood, sweet fennel, and green anise. Some manufacturers add even more herbs to the mix to create a more complex flavor.

What makes absinthe so unique is its strong botanical and herby flavors. You’d be hard-pressed to find the bitter and licorice notes that absinthe has in other liquors. And while those can be an acquired taste, absinthe has remained popular over the centuries because of that odd, unique flavor.

Absinthe has an alcoholic content of between 45-74%. That makes it a potent drink—stronger than whiskey and vodka. However, this is not a spirit you down neat in one gulp. More often than not, absinthe is diluted with cold water and served with a cube of sugar to make it more palatable.

Where did absinthe originate from?

The first mentions of absinthe appear in ancient Egyptian texts. Back then, wine was steeped with wormwood leaves and drunk for its supposed health benefits.

Modern-day absinthe was distilled for the first time in Switzerland in the 18th century. At first, it was given to French soldiers when they were deployed in Africa to prevent malaria.

Once those soldiers returned home, they took with them their newfound love for the strong spirit. It didn’t take long until absinthe became a trendy and youthful drink. It was served at bars and cafes across all of Europe and was particularly popular with up-and-coming artists.

Today, we know absinthe isn’t the magical cure-all it was advertised as. But that hasn’t hampered the hype around absinthe. This unique drink is still prevalent worldwide and is often mixed with other beverages to make eclectic cocktails.

Is absinthe legal in the U.S.?

Yes, absinthe is legal in the United States. But that’s relatively recent. Absinthe was made legal again only in 2007, after having been banned in 1912.

The 95-year prohibition happened because there were rumors that absinthe could make you hallucinate. And while absinthe does have a compound called thujone that can be hallucinogenic, you would need to drink three bottles to feel its effects. Who can do that without dying of alcohol poisoning?

What is the nutritional value of absinthe?

A 1.5fl.oz. serving of absinthe has 125 calories. Because no sugar goes into making absinthe, all the calories come from alcohol. However, if you add a sugar cube to your absinthe (the traditional way of enjoying the spirit), you can add 15 calories (and 4g of carbs) to that.

How is absinthe made?

The absinthe industry isn’t as regulated as the whiskey industry. In other words, manufacturers have quite a bit of creative freedom when making this drink. Thus, each bottle of absinthe is unique and created differently. Yet, there are some steps most manufacturers take.

First, a botanical mix—usually grand wormwood, green anise, and sweet fennel—is macerated in a strong alcohol base. The leaves, flowers, and seeds will leave their fragrance and aroma on the alcohol with time.

The liquid gets distilled to remove most of the bitter notes and keep the subtle flavor absinthe is well known for. It’s also common for manufacturers to dilute the absinthe with water to bring down the alcoholic content of the beverage.

From here, two things can happen: One, the absinthe gets bottled up as a clear liquid and labeled “Blanche absinthe” (or white absinthe in French). Two, the absinthe is mixed with fresh herbs and leaves until it becomes green in color and gets labeled as “Verte absinthe” (or green absinthe, in French).

What should I look for when buying absinthe?

Blanche and Verte absinthe not only look different but also taste different. Often, Verte absinthe is described as more intense and “herby” than its transparent counterpart. If you’re looking for the subtlety of flavors, you may want to pick a bottle that’s labeled “Blanche.” But if you’re going to go the more traditional route, a bottle of “Verte” is precisely what you should pick.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for absinthe via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for absinthe.

How to store absinthe

Absinthe should be stored in a cool, dry place at a temperature of around 55ºF. It should also stay away from direct sunlight, especially the Verte variety, as the color can fade into an unappetizing brown. If stored correctly, unopened absinthe can last decades as it ages inside the bottle.

Once you open a bottle of absinthe, the clock starts ticking. If you keep it in the same conditions (in a cool, dry, and dark liquor cabinet, for example), it should stay good for 1-2 years.

How to tell if absinthe is bad

The high alcohol content in the absinthe prevents it from spoiling. That is why you won’t see any mold growing inside the bottle, even if it’s been open for years.

However, you will notice that the flavor and fragrance of the spirit weaken over time. That’s because of oxidation, and it’s impossible to stop it. After some years, once the absinthe loses its pleasant licorice notes and darkens in color, it’s time to throw it out.

What can I substitute for absinthe?

If you don’t have absinthe on hand, you can substitute it for an anise-flavored liqueur. Pastis, sambuca, raki, and orzo are all popular spirits and great swaps to try.

Where to find absinthe near me?

Absinthe is a unique drink worth trying out for yourself. But you don’t need to go to a bar to enjoy this drink. With just a few clicks, you can order a bottle of absinthe via Instacart and have it delivered in under 2 hours! Thanks to same-day delivery from Instacart, you can plan your absinthe-tasting night without ever needing to leave the house.

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