

Allegedly able to expand the consciousness of consumers and spark one’s imagination, it became the drink of choice for creatives around the world. The primary mystique that surrounds the consumption of absinthe is linked to it’s alleged hallocuonigeic properties. Perhaps unfairly, absinthe also developed a reputation as being the undoing of many prominent minds - while the substance allegedly drove Vincent van Gogh mad and in turn suicidal, in comparison Ernest Hemingway would perform knife tricks in bars across Paris after consuming the green fairy.

By 1910, mass production set prices at an affordable and accessible rate, and soon absinthe was consumed by aristocrats and struggling artists alike. In time, this came to be regarded as a solution for anything and everything from anemia to flatulence.Īcross the Alps, France was soon consuming over 36 million litres of absinth per annum. While residing in the small Swiss town of Couvet in the late 18th century, Dr Ordinaire produced an emerald green elixir that contained a mixture of local herbs, fennel, green anise and wormwood. Many countries around the world have had a ban on the liquor at one point or another, so it should come as no real surprise that the import of absinthe is still heavily regulated even in 2021 - but what’s the big deal? Why Absinthe Gets A Bad WrapĪlthough rumours of wormwood infused brews can be traced as far back as the Egyptian Empire, the creation of absinthe as we now know it can be claimed by French doctor, Pierre Ordinaire. Often portrayed - and embraced - as a hallucinogenic, it was banned across much of Europe before experiencing a revival in the western world in the early 1990’s.Įven now, absinthe is still that of an urban legend, but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be approached with caution. Favoured by artists, writers and bohemians alike, the streets of Paris came alive every evening once the green fairy began to flow freely. With its alcohol content sitting at 50-70% on average, it’s not the type of alcohol that can be procured at 2:00am as an afterthought - at least, not if you intend on drinking ever again.įrance’s love affair with la fee verte - or the green lady - is one of the primary reasons as to why absinthe grew to such notoriety during the late 19th century.

Needless to say, this infamous emerald green liquor is not for the faint hearted. Is absinthe legal in Australia? While the answer is technically yes, there are some strict terms and conditions that come with importing "the green fairy".
