Whiskey Green Tea Recipe
Make Absinthe at home (not distilled)
Make Absinthe at home (not distilled)
Note: Make your own absinthe using the methods described here is completely legal in the U.S. where I write this and in most countries. Not and will never advocate any act that is illegal.
NO medical consultations:
We have found and most of the research presented inthe absinthe is essentially harmless amounts normally enjoyed absinthe customers, but as with everything in life, too much of a good thing can be bad. Enjoy all things in moderation. You should have no problem enjoying the following occasional or even daily glass of absinthe instructions here. However, CYA for us and yourself, you'd better consult a qualified professional medical before attending their first batch.
You're more likely to get sick from food to take away the night before (which was actually chicken?) Have your beer absinthe but can not and is not responsible for their actions.
What is Absinthe:
Absinthe is an alcoholic drink made with an extract from wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). It is an emerald green drink which is very bitter (due to the presence of absinthin) and therefore traditionally poured over a perforated spoonful of sugar a glass of water. The drink then turns into an opaque white as the essential oils precipitate out of the alcoholic solution (cloudy).
Absinthe was once popular among artists and writers, and was drunk by Van Gogh, Baudelaire, Verlaine, to name a few. Seems to have been believed to stimulate creativity. However, in the decade 1850, began to be concerned about the results of chronic use. Chronic use of absinthe was believed to lead to a syndrome called absinthism, characterized by addiction, hyperexcitability, and hallucinations.
This concern over the health effects of absinthe was amplified by the prevailing belief in the theories Lamarckian inheritance. In other words, it was believed that all those traits acquired by absinthists be transmitted to their children. Absinthe's association with the bohemian lifestyle also worked to compose the fears of its effects, as has happened with marijuana in America. Absinthe was subsequently banned in many countries on the principle of the 1900s.
A word about the quality and purity:
This is of utmost importance. It really is. We're talking about your health here. Do not trust your health to the ingredients you do not know the source.
This goes double for anything found in any magic or metaphysics or "head" stores. These products are often questionable at best, and I do not eat. You're usually able to snuff for the boys, but do not trust their herbs (no, not that kind of grass. It's a totally different book).
Other considerations are how the herbs are harvested. Were the organically grown plants? Are certificates as organic? If pesticides are used? They were the purity test? What was your processing procedure to ensure that the active chemicals in Herbs are still powerful? These factors make large differences in the quality of final products. Pesticides cause disease and cancer (and worst) and bad harvest can destroy the delicate chemistry active in the oil.
More on this later, I just wanted to let you know that now before you skim ahead, read the ingredients and pop to your local head shop.
Supplies:
In addition to the herbs we talk to most likely continuation is that they need the following tools to assist in this process.
1 ½ gallon or jar with lid complete
1 small bag did not die or cloth bag Reusable cotton tea (you can usually
found in a health food store)
A Brita water pitcher (optional)
Sugar cubes – by usually found in any decently stocked grocery store.
Coffee Filters
Absinthe Traditional
The real honest business super-duper to goodness real absinthe is very expensive (too well), hard to do (hence the price) and you can not really get into the U.S. today. The FDA regulates the amount of active ingredient in absinthe that is available in the U.S. market. We do not like that. We want a lot of active ingredient and does not want Uncle Sam is telling us what is best for us now that we?
I digress ..
Traditional absinthe is a mixture of herbs for color and flavor is the main herb wormwood. This special recipe in a wine is fermented and then distilled (like whiskey or brandy) and bottled as traditional commercial absinthe.
Distillation is a very involved and messy business, not to mention highly regulated in the U.S.. Not legal for ordinary citizens to do this, and most of us do not want because of the difficulty that entails. Although, if you move to Mexico I admit I probably will say that just to make my own moonshine.
Bragging rights and all that …
Easy to make absinthe:
This is what we want. We do not want to disturb all that jazz complicated involved in the distillation and we want our absinthe soon. So let's skip the distillation process of distilled alcohol and buy over the counter. A vodka high quality works very well, or if you really want to get crazy just buy Everclear. Both work equally well. The Everclear has the advantage of also being used as fuel flamethrower if you're in that sort of thing.
A note on high-quality vodka:
It is a little known secret that the only difference between the intestinal-rock vodka and high-quality vodka is the amount of filtering involved. You can take a very cheap bottle of vodka and run it through a carbon filter, as a Brita water jug, and make soft raw voda, I have done many times, great works, and you can even still use the same pitcher for water again. If you do this a lot, spend $ 20 on an image of Brita water (available at any department store) and buy the cheap vodka.
Puff puff pass …
I told you, we are not talking about that kind of grass. But, we need to get the rest of the ingredients. Here is a summary of commonly used ingredients. We will give you some recipes the sample and can play with what you like.
Wormwood: Essential in all recipes, since it has the active ingredient thujone.
(See: wikipedia> Thujone) also responsible for the green absinthe brands.
Star anise: Almost all recipes. It tastes like licorice and is used in many different preparations. Acts to offset the bitterness of wormwood.
Fennel Seed: also compensates the bitterness and is part of traditional absinthe flavoring
Angelica: traditional flavoring ingredients
Hyssop: Gives a crisp note (taste) to the finished product and helps to give the traditional green.
Other ingredients common in some recipes include licorice, mint, cilantro, lemon balm, Dittany and Juniper. Anything that gives a sweet taste and powerful work.
My favorite recipe staff is as follows:
½ cup organic dried Wormwood
3 tablespoons organic hyssop leaves
1 tablespoon of dried root organic angelica
1 teaspoon Fennel Seed (easy to find in grocery stores)
However, I must point out that not all care licorice flavor so a more traditional recipe can be like this:
A traditional recipe:
½ cup organic dried Wormwood
¼ Swab cup organic dry
3 tablespoons organic dried star anise
3 tablespoons dried organic Hyssop
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon dried root organic Angelica
1 teaspoon fennel seeds (easily found in grocery stores)
Mix!
Ok, so now we have our high quality distilled spirits and we have our herbs measured in the right proportions …. How do we make absinthe?
Well, we have to get the flavors and chemicals of the herbs in alcohol.
Stuff all the herbs into the little cotton bag which was mentioned above, can make almost any health food store. In a pinch, I have also two coffee filters stapled together and made a little pocket. Basically, is becoming a big bag of tea.
Put your herbs in the tea bag, put the bag in the jar mentioned above and drown them in a bottle vodka or Everclear. You can also use one and half a bottle of vodka and Everclear ½. Makes no difference.
Put the lid on the jar and give it a good shake to settle held fully saturated. Then reach in and squeeze the bag, dip again and retighten.
Put the lid on the jar and store in a cool, dark place (not in his garage behind the stove) or in the windowsill.
Every day, come back and give it a good shake, squeeze the bag and shake again.
Click this for 21 days. (You do not have to wait 21 days, you're probably good after 12 days or so, but it seems to get better results after 20 days.)
Comment Filter
After 21 days (or 12 if you just can not wait) will be given one last squeeze the bag good to get all the goddness outside.
Remove the bag and discard or wash for reuse. (No re-use herbs … putting new ones, obviously)
Strain the mixture through coffee filters all stacked 2-3. Usually just put the filters in the bottom of a funnel and pour things back into the bottle of vodka.
His absinthe (absinthe now) should be a very nice green color and quite clear.
If you want to do a leak super you can find a 1-micron filter instead of using coffee filters. Not sure where to buy them but I'm sure an internet search will come up. Always I've been very happy with the results of the coffee filters.
Congratulations! A beer and celebrate. You just made his first bottle of absinthe!
Absinthe Kits
There are several vendors that sell kits with herbs and pre-measured bags of treats others like slotted spoons, etc.. These kits are usually cheaper to get if you want to do 1-2 batches. Small toys and accessories that come with are especially interesting. My provider of choice for these kits are there other kits on the market but they seem to be the best quality and I love the goodies thrown in. You also get a traditional slotted absinthe spoon, a glass of absinthe fresh and throw in some sugar cubes too. All you need is alcohol.
Where to buy quality herbs:
Now if you'll be doing these things regularly, you will want to buy your own high quality organic herbs. If you can buy them fresh from a local store and can ensure that are organic that is absolutely the best way to go.
However, I doubt you'll find anywhere organic wormwood. I do not do this often, but I have to pimp out this company. I've ordered from them many many times and have nothing but the best quality herbs that are certified as organic and pesticide-free and properly package so that the herbs are as potent as possible. I can not say enough about these guys. You might think that stock ownership or something (not me). They only know it your business. I also use your herbs for cooking and medicinal uses. They are also reasonably priced.
Sources: Wikipedia.com and http://absinthe.msjekyll.com/
Other sources:
href = "http://www.SimpleHomeBrewing.com"> http://www.SimpleHomeBrewing.com
http://www.squidoo.com/easybeermaking
href = "http://www.squidoo.com/honeymead"> http://www.squidoo.com/honeymead
About the Author
James enjoys a myriad of hobbies from computer gaming, paranormal research, web design, teaching & adult training, natural healing & herbalism to making his own wine and beer. He is an avid home brewer and has been for many years specializing in traditional honey and fruit based wines. More recently he has begun serious study into beer recipes and methods and plans on producing a series of beer videos on youtube to match his “super simple winemaking” videos that are so popular on the site.
Project websites include: