Chicagoist: Make Your Own Absinthe

mohabyn

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:03:01 -0600

...but it's not absinthe.

Ferdy

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:16:41 -0600

That was not clear from the post to me. But yes, I understand that, and thanks all for making it clearer. The hubby doesn't distill, which certainly would yield a superior product. If you want absinthe, though, his maceration recipe is pretty darn good.

mohabyn

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:13:27 -0600

Ferdy, Poor said that there's not supposed to be sugar in the MACERATION process. Sugar can be used when preparing the drink to actually consume - if you like it sweeter. It's not used when actually creating the drink. Regardless, absinthe is always distilled. This is just a maceration recipe and doesn't achieve the same end that distillation does. Pretty simple.

Ferdy

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:54:23 -0600

If there's not supposed to be sugar, then why are those slotted spoons such coveted trophies of fairy fans? I only use a sugar cube over which the absinthe is poured.

Pimpin Ella

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 19:11:30 -0600

I like the licorice taste, too. But that anise is supposed to BE the sweetener that takes the bitter edge off of the wormwood. In a distilled drink, the anise is sweet enough to balance out the bitterness of the wormwood, and everything is cooked together in a harmonious, delicious whole. When it's just herbs steeped in everclear, the wormwood oils are truly overpowering and raw, and the sweetness of the anise doesn't help. In fact, even a couple of lumps of sugar don't really help.

poor

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:32:33 -0600

I didn't want to do this, but, here goes. Proper absinthe is never sugared in the creation process. Proper absinthe is distilled. This is a maceration, just soaking herbs in a solvent. I can see why sugar (and a LOT of it) is being added to this maceration recipe. Your mind cannot begin to ponder how terrible this will taste. If you want more real information on absinthe go here- www.wormwoodsociety.com For a review of Lucid go here- eyelinerrobot.wordpress.com Also, I don't mean to insult Ferdy. If you enjoy your product keep on keepin on! Just showing people how distilled absinthe should be. Cheers.

Ferdy

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:09:16 -0600

It's not for everyone. But I like the licorice taste. You have to have the sugar, though, or it'll blow your head off.

Navin

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:04:53 -0600

I had some D.I.Y. absinthe years ago and don't remember anything too special. I've had bottled as well, they both taste wretched IMHO. Just pour some cough syrup,crushed up menthol cigs and acetone onto the filtiest sock you can find and suck on that for awhile.

Ferdy

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:53:49 -0600

BTW, you can't buy alcohol over, I think 120 proof (?), in the city of Chicago. You can get Everclear at Binny's in the 'burbs, though.

Ferdy

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:51:04 -0600

Everclear is exactly what we use.

Jake M

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:45:56 -0600

I don't know if I've ever heard the phrase "Would everclear work better" except when trying to figure out what to use to start a grill.

Number 6

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:36:35 -0600

Shouldn't it have a higher proof than vodka? Would everclear work better?

Ferdy

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:34:16 -0600

My hubby makes the best absinthe. He just put up a batch this weekend.