Content
The drink in question can be yellow, red, brown and transparent, but green is considered its standard color. The original product has a very high strength and a well-noticeable bitterness from the wormwood, which is included in its composition. In our stores, you can often buy absinthe with a strength of 55%, but this indicator usually means that a significant amount of sugar has been introduced into the alcohol. When buying absinthe or making it yourself at home, remember that its strength must correspond to 70 turns.
At the moment, a huge number of brands of absinthe are known and it is quite difficult to understand each of them. It is known that the drink in question contains a small amount of a narcotic substance, thujone. It should be noted that some absinthe manufacturers adhere to the statutory norm of this substance of 10 milligrams per kilogram of liquid, while others make absinthe according to old recipes. In them, the amount of thujone can reach 100 milligrams per kilogram of liquid. The main producers of the "green witch", as absinthe is often called, are the Czech Republic, France, Spain and Italy. Now let's describe the very best brands of absinthe.
Absinthe Xenta
At first, such an alcoholic product was produced by the Spaniards, but now the Italians have received the right to use the technology for making absinthe. Its strength of 70 turns indicates a high-quality type of drink, and the minimum allowable thujone content does not exceed the EU standards. The drink has a wonderful wormwood taste with pineapple aromas, it is produced according to an ancient recipe that was obtained about two centuries ago. The difference between Xenta and others is the subtle green color.
Absinthe Jacques Senot
One of the most expensive and noble brands of absinthe, of Spanish origin. Jacques Senot is marketed in local and European markets as emerald, blue, ruby and even black. This absinthe has a strength of 70 to 85 turns, differs from the rest in significant bitterness and aromas of wormwood combined with anise. Thujone content is within the normal range of 10 milligrams per liter.
Absinthe King of Spirits
Czech-made absinthe is recognized by connoisseurs of this drink as one of the best. In addition to excellent taste and high strength (70 rpm), this alcohol is considered the most expensive. For the production of the brand of absinthe in question, a special mixture of aromatic herbs, including wormwood, is used as a raw material. The amount of narcotic substances in a liter of the finished drink can range from 10 to 100 milligrams.
Absinthe, which is also called wormwood vodka, is gaining more and more popularity lately. Demand, as you know, gives rise to supply, in connection with which new types of absinthe appear, and the existing ones acquire an increasing number of variations. The old manufacturers have not gone anywhere, but at the same time new, younger companies appear. It is quite obvious that in all this diversity one can easily get confused, because the "Green Fairy" can be not only green, but also red, black, blue; Moreover, absinthe can even be transparent!
If there is a desire, then all this can be quickly figured out. There are several classifications - the drink is divided into types according to the following parameters:
- Colour;
- fortress;
- thujone content.
Let's get acquainted with the features of each classification.
Absinth Hill's Suicide
Color classification
Color is an important criterion, since not only the appearance of the drink depends on it, but also its properties, preparation technology, etc. Colors vary a lot, so let's take a look at the most common one.
Green absinthe
The traditional color, due to which, by the way, the drink is called "Green Fairy". Shades of green absinthe range from rich emerald green to light green. It is worth noting that over time, the natural color of the drink can change, which is why manufacturers often use artificial colors. But in high-quality absinthe, the natural dye is chlorophyll, which is contained in the leaves of almost all plants.
Green absinthe
The green subspecies is produced by almost every manufacturer. There is, for example, the Spanish Absenta Tunel - a true example of a classic drink with an alcohol content of 70%, a bright taste and subtle aroma of anise, almonds, cinnamon and herbs.
Black absinthe
Sometimes it has a brown tint. The peculiarity of black absinthe is not only in its color, but also in its composition. If in the manufacture of other types of drink inflorescences and leaves of wormwood are used, then the roots of this plant are also used. In addition, in most cases, black acacia Katechu is also used, which adds berry notes and sweetness to the taste.
On a note! Despite the fact that black brands are considered to be the strongest, they are characterized by a rather mild taste. Note also that sometimes the drink is given a rich black color with the help of dyes.
Black absinthe
The clearest example of this type of drink is Absinthe Black Tunel, which is made exclusively from natural ingredients.
Video - Black Absinthe "Antonio Nadal", Spain
Yellow absinthe
The color of this type of absinthe, reminiscent of amber, is often achieved by using all the same food colors. However, there are exceptions: old green drink of high quality can become yellow. After a few months, its color may change and become yellowish, because the decay of chlorophyll occurs quickly enough (here you can draw an analogy with leaves that turn yellow with the onset of autumn).
Yellow absinthe
One of the most popular yellow brands is Absinth King of Spirits - an excellent Czech drink, "the best and most expensive on the planet," as the creators themselves say. This type of absinthe differs in that it is produced strictly according to the classical technology, and everything is done exclusively by hand.
The Spirit King can be of two types:
- Absinth King of Spirits Original (thujone no more than 10 mg / kg);
- Absinth King of Spirits Gold (about 100 mg / kg, respectively).
Red absinthe
A very tasty drink that has received its attractive color thanks to the use of pomegranate extracts. These extracts, by the way, also give an original and piquant aftertaste. In some cases, as you yourself probably already guessed, the red color is obtained with the help of dyes (which is already there, they are used even more often than natural extract).
Corsair Red Absinthe
A great example is Absinthe Red Tunel, which has a strength of about 70%.
Blue absinthe
A blue (or blue) drink does not differ in its properties from a traditional green one, except that dyes (artificial or natural) and, less often, flavorings are added to it. But this does not affect the taste in any way. Tint is used for purely aesthetic purposes. As a rule, such absinthe is used for cocktails.
Blue absinthe
Clear absinthe
Also "Green Fairy" can be transparent. This type is considered to be of the highest quality, since no suspensions and leaves are added at the intermediate stage of manufacturing.
Avantgarde Absinthe Blanche
It remains to add that color, even though it sometimes affects taste, can hardly be considered a determining criterion. He does not speak about the quality or the freshness of the drink. Therefore, choosing one or another option from numerous brands and types of absinthe, do not pay attention only to the color - you need to take into account other factors, as well as give preference to well-known brandsbecause they are less likely to disappoint the end consumer.
Types of drink by strength
Depending on the strength, the following types of drink are distinguished:
- strong (from 55% to 65%); this includes varieties produced in Spain, the Czech Republic and France, containing wormwood extract and a little thujone (the latter may not be there at all);
- extremely strong (from 70% to 85%): produced in Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and the Czech Republic; predominantly natural varieties, made according to traditional technology (infusion + distillation).
See also: Hookah on absinthe
Types of drink according to thujone content
According to this criterion, absinthe can be:
- low in thujone (about 1.5-10 mg / l); this group includes most of the European brands;
- with high content (from 25 mg / l to 100 mg / l); some varieties produced mainly in the Czech Republic and Switzerland;
- without thujone - French Absente, Swiss Logan Fils, although for the most part these are tinctures that only imitate true absinthe.
Popular brands of the "Green Fairy"
There are more than a hundred brands of absinthe, so let's get acquainted with only the most popular of them. For the convenience of visitors, the information is given in the form of a table.
Table. Popular types of absinthe
| Xenta | A popular Spanish drink, which was one of the first to appear on the free market in the domestic market. Produced according to a recipe created over two hundred years ago. It has a light transparent color with apple and lime notes. The thujone concentration does not exceed 10 mg / L, although many believe that artificial colors are used in the manufacture of Xenta. Be that as it may, this species has a lot of fans. |
| Xenta Superior | A premium dark green beverage featuring a sprig of wormwood in each bottle. With a strength of 70%, it contains about 35 mg / l of thujone. The aroma is perfectly balanced, herbs are harmoniously combined in the taste. As for artificial additives, they are not used at all. When making absinthe, it is filtered using a special technology, which the manufacturer keeps in the strictest confidence. |
| Absinth red | An extraordinary red drink created by the Czechs as a tribute to the modern fickle world. Has become very popular in Prague nightclubs. Absinth Red has a strength of 60%, with a maximum of 10 mg / l of thujone. It is considered to be a true Czech drink. |
| Tunel | The classic version, made in Spain. The concentration of thujone is the same as that of the red analogue, but the strength is 70%. Various herbs are used in the manufacture, as well as other plant materials, but all proportions are classified. The aroma of the drink is anise, there are notes of cinnamon, almonds and herbs. The taste after drinking is strong and bright. |
| Fleur de lys | The name is translated from French as "lily flower". The drink itself has a pure emerald green color and is prepared according to an ancient recipe of the nineteenth century (it was then that the popularity of the "Green Fairy" reached its highest peak) in the Czech Republic. The concentration of thujone is about 10 mg / l, and the strength is 70%. |
| Jacques senaux | It can be blue, emerald, black, red or transparent. The drink is made in Spain, its strength ranges from 70-85%, while the concentration of thujone is standard - 10 mg / l. The taste of the drink is fresh, wormwood and anise are felt. |
| King of spirits | The previously mentioned product, which is considered one of the highest quality and most expensive on the planet. Country of origin - Czech Republic. With a strength of 70%, the concentration of thujone can be 10-100 mg / l. In the manufacture, only natural raw materials are used, due to which absinthe has a delicious taste and is simply very popular. |
| Teichenne | A traditional drink produced in the Czech Republic and Spain. Its alcohol content is average - 70%, the concentration of thujone is a maximum of 10 mg / l.The whole secret of excellent taste lies in the precise proportions of natural ingredients. The name translates as "current". |
| Fleur de lis absinthe | High quality Catalan green miracle potion with an ABV of 55%. The taste is softer than other types. Thujone concentration is standard (10 mg / l). |
| Hill's | A widespread elite type of "Green Fairy" made in the Czech Republic. Thujone concentration and strength are the same as in the previous species. Emerald color, herbal taste. It is made from extracts of wormwood and other ingredients - anise, lemon balm, juniper, etc. |
On a note! So we found out what types of absinthe are. As it turned out, there are several classifications at once, and there are many more varieties of the "Green Fairy". That's all, good luck and do not forget - you need to use it in moderation!
Video - Xenta Absenta. Overview
Views: 16 343
Absinthe is a strong alcoholic drink containing wormwood essential oils. This is a product with a long history that has found its admirers all over the world. And although the golden age of absinthe is in the past, it is quite popular to this day.
The history of absinthe
The first mass producer of the drink was an entrepreneur from France, Henri-Louis Pernod. In the late 18th century, he bought the recipe from Dr. Ordiner, who used the drink as a medicine. Improving the composition of the mixture, Pernod received a very strong and bitter alcohol.
The history of the production and distribution of absinthe was very turbulent and ambiguous. The drink either gained wide popularity or was under the strictest ban. He was either lifted to heaven as a tonic and therapeutic agent, then trampled on as a narcotic drug.
The Absinthe Drinker, Victor Oliva, 1901
Types of absinthe
After all the misadventures, absinthe was recognized by the community as a worthy representative of the alcohol culture. The production of strong "wormwood" alcohol is widespread throughout the world. But the leaders in the manufacture of absinthe today are four powers:
- Italy;
- Spain;
- Czech Republic;
- France.
French absinthe Pernod
Pernod
Pernod (Absinthe Pernod). The French continue to produce the traditional absinthe created by Pernod. But, unfortunately, due to various prohibitions and restrictions, alcohol is produced in a sapless version. The descendants of Arnie Pernod have retained the traditional recipe, replacing wormwood with other ingredients, including artificial substitutes.
Ricard
Ricard
Ricard Ricard is another drink that is a descendant of the famous French absinthe. Alcohol is made on the basis of anise and Provencal herbs.
Pastis
Pastis
Pastis (Pastis). The recipe for this product was invented in 1951 in the city of Marseille. To commemorate this, the number 51 flaunts on the bottle label. The drink is very popular both in France and around the world.
Czech absinthe Hill's
Hill's
Hill’s (Hills). Elite Czech absinthe, which was the first to receive official permission to conquer the Russian market. The drink is based on wormwood, juniper, anise, lemon balm and fennel. The perfect combination gives an extraordinary taste and deep emerald color.
King of spirits
King of spirits
King Of Spirits This type of alcohol was invented in 1792. Czech manufacturers have still preserved the original recipe and manufacturing technology of this type of absinthe. The entire production process takes place by hand. In the manufacture of the drink, a set of herbs is used, which is kept in strict confidence. In some variants of the King of Spirits, the content of thujone reaches 100 mg / kg, although the existing legislation limited this rate to 10 mg / kg.
A quality drink of this brand has a sediment, the layer of which can reach 2 centimeters. This indicates that the composition of alcohol contains high-quality natural substances. This type of absinthe is considered the best in the world, which affects its cost.
Absinth red
Absinth red
Absinth Red. The unusual light ruby color of this type of alcohol is achieved through the use of pomegranate extract in the production.The appearance of Red Absinthe has become a new page in the history of the "wormwood" drink. Exclusive alcohol very quickly found its admirers and took pride of place among the popular drinks in Prague clubs.
Havel's
Havel's
Havel's. The amazing emerald green Havel's is made according to an original recipe that has come down to us since the 19th century. The alcohol strength is 60%, the thujone content is not more than 10 mg / kg. This is another drink that has come down to us almost unchanged.
Staroplzenecky Absinth
Staroplzenecky Absinth
Staroplzenecky Absinth Another absinthe made according to the traditional recipe of ancient winemakers. The alcohol contains highly purified alcohol, spring water and extract from the wormwood root. The precipitate that precipitates over time indicates the naturalness of the components used. The alcohol strength is 70%, the thujone content meets the established standards and is noted at the level of 10 mg / kg.
Italian absinthe Xenta Absenta
Xenta Absenta
Xenta Absenta The traditional drink is made according to an old recipe that is hidden from outsiders. The alcohol is based on wormwood collected in the Alps of Northern Italy. For the production of Xenta, flowering tops of plants are used, on a certain flowering steel.
The released product has a bright green translucent color, bitter taste with notes of apples and lime. Absinthe Xenta in Russia is the most popular of all types of this alcohol. The drink has several varieties.
Xenta Superior
Xenta Superior
Xenta Superior (Xenta lusk-class). The highlight and distinctive feature of this type of Xenta is a wormwood sprig placed inside the bottle. Alcohol is produced only from natural ingredients, without adding colorants and flavors. The taste contains notes of honey and spices. Thujone content does not exceed 35 mg / kg. Absinthe connoisseurs mark Xenta Superior as one of the "purebred" spirits.
Xenta distilled
Xenta distilled
Xenta distilled The peculiarity of this type of Xenta is its production technology. The recipe by which this drink is made corresponds to the traditional recipe for absinthe, but the herbs used for alcohol are not infused. Instead, the herbal infusion is distilled, during which it loses its color. Therefore, distilled Xenta is a transparent liquid. The strength of the drink is 50%. The aftertaste contains notes of anise and coriander.
Spanish absinthe
Spain is a country that still produces real absinthe. At the beginning of the 20th century, the descendants of Pernod opened one of their "wormwood" factories in Spain. Since then, the traditions of absinthe production have not changed.
Jacques senaux
Jacques senaux
Jacques Senaux This type of alcohol got its name in honor of the famous master of blending and taster. Originally, Jacques Senot absinthe was produced in France. But during the ban, the producer's son revived the drink in Spain, restoring the recipe from his father's records. Absinthe has gained immense popularity among lovers of strong "wormwood" alcohol. Currently, there are several varieties of Jaco Seno: green, blue, ruby, transparent and even black.
Teichenne
Teichenne
Teichenne. I call this type of absinthe a drink of strict proportions. Thanks to artisan winemakers, absinthe has a balanced taste. This circumstance contributes to the use of the drink, both in pure form and as a basis for cocktails.
Swiss absinthe Logan Fils
Logan fils
Logan Fils (Logan Fils). The Swiss use Logan Fils as an aperitif. The drink is served cold with water and sugar. The taste of absinthe is bitter, but soft. The aroma of anise is felt. Strength of the drink 68%. Alcohol is very popular in its homeland.
Kubler Absinthe
Kubler Absinthe
Kubler Absinthe (Kubler). Another popular absinthe in Switzerland is Kubler. Alcohol is made according to an old recipe in a traditional way. The drink has a strength of 45% and a mild wormwood-aniseed taste.
Russian absinthe
Absent van gogh
The first absinthe produced in Russia from Czech raw materials is named after the Dutch artist Vann Gogh, a great lover of this amazing wormwood alcohol. The strength of the drink is 60%, and the thujone content does not exceed 16 mg / kg... Van Gogh absinthe contains: wormwood, anise, star anise, angelica, oregano, thyme, mint. Due to its original taste and aroma, the drink quickly gained popularity among connoisseurs of strong alcohol.
There are a lot of varieties of absinthe. Each manufacturer brings its own unique notes to the taste and aroma of "wormwood" alcohol. Each connoisseur chooses which absinthe is the best for him. Some want to feel the unique taste and aroma, others want to experience the unusual effects of alcohol on the body. In any case, excessive consumption of large doses of alcohol is detrimental to health.
Absinthe, also known as wormwood vodka, is now experiencing a true rebirth. Its popularity is high again, as it was hundreds of years ago, and an increase in demand naturally leads to an increase in supply. New types of absinthe are appearing on the market, as well as those that have existed for a long time are getting more variations. Old manufacturers do not leave the market, but new, younger ones are constantly appearing. You can get confused in this exceptional variety (and what is there only - green absinthe, blue, red - according to some sources there are about a hundred popular brands), especially if you do not have much experience in using this drink.
But to understand all this also, with the proper desire, will not be difficult. There are several approaches to the classification of absinthe. It may differ in the following parameters:
- Fortress. If it contains 70 or more percent alcohol, then it is considered strong, otherwise it is considered that its strength is small.
- Thujone content. It is one of the main substances that gives absinthe its somewhat hallucinogenic properties. Extracted from wormwood. Its content in absinthe can be high, low, or in some cases it may not be there at all (although more often it is just an imitation of the original drink).
- Colour.
It is worth dwelling on the last classification in more detail, because the color depends not only on how the drink looks, but also how it was made, what properties it has, and so on. Colors can vary greatly, from traditional green to yellow, blue and even red. Further, all the most common colors will be considered separately, highlighting the characteristic features of each.
Green absinthe
It is the green subspecies that is traditionally considered classic. Its shades can vary quite a lot from light green to herbal, or even emerald. The problem is that over time, the natural color can change, weaken, because manufacturers very often enhance it with artificial colors. The natural dye in this case is chlorophyll, which is found in the foliage of the vast majority of plants. This drink has a common name, partly ironic - "Green Fairy".
Blue absinthe
Although in most cases blue absinthe is a product of artificial colors, sometimes it is given a blue color and some natural ingredients, such as blue lotus or guarana.
Red absinthe
Visually appealing and tasty, red absinthe got its hue from pomegranate extracts. They also give him a special original aftertaste, piquant and peculiar. Sometimes, however, this is due to the addition of dye. The dye is used even more often than natural pomegranate extract. The latter is still often found in Czech and Swiss brands, while in others it can be found much less often.
Black absinthe
Sometimes it also has a brown tint.Black absinthe stands out not only visually, its composition is also interesting. While other varieties use the leaves or inflorescences of bitter wormwood, the roots of this plant are also used here.It is also customary to add the black acacia Katekha there, which allows you to add sweetness and berry tones to the taste of the drink. It is often noted that while black brands are strong, their taste is particularly soft. Less commonly, the reason a given drink is black is dye.
Blue absinthe
Blue Absinthe has no specific ingredients. It is tinted blue solely because it looks aesthetically pleasing. Usually, such absinthe is used for cocktails, in which not only taste, but also appearance plays an important role. Although less often it can be lighter variations of the blue absinthe described above, prepared on the basis of natural ingredients and natural dyes.
Yellow absinthe
The bright, amber-like color of this drink is usually created using food coloring. But there are exceptions when yellow absinthe becomes such as a result of aging of the green drink. After a few months, it can change its color and become just yellowish, this is because chlorophyll quickly decomposes, becoming yellow (just like in the leaves, which turn yellow every autumn).
Color, although it can affect the taste of the drink, is not always the determining criterion. It is not an indicator of the quality or freshness of a given drink, and if artificial colors are used, then it even has little effect on what taste will be perceived. Therefore, when choosing the types and brands of absinthe, you should not pay attention only to the characteristic color of the liquid, you need to look closely at the combination of various factors, and also focus on eminent brands that are much less likely to disappoint.
The variety of types of absinthe - what does each color mean?
5
(100%) voted
4
