In 1910 in the USA, like in many other countries, absinthe was banned for the believed health dangers. It was stated that thujone (a substance contained in Artemisia Absinthium or wormwood – the main ingredient in the absinthe production) causes serious mental disorders and poses a formidable threat to the nation’s health. The liquor was even proclaimed ‘one of the worst enemies of man’. Thus, the ‘Green Fairy’ became an outcast at American parties.

And Wow! At the end of 2007, almost after ten years of prohibition, absinthe was back to the American liquor market. The pioneer wormwood liquor brand is ‘Lucid’, which is imported directly from France by the New York-based company ‘Viridian Spirits’. The importer claims it to be the same old-time absinthe, drunk by Vincent Van Gogh and Oscar Wilde, produced from wormwood, anise and fennel according to the early recipes.

However, one should be wondering: How come exactly the same once banned alcoholic drink becomes legal again? That is a fair question. Ladies and gentlemen, the gist of the story of absinthe prohibition is in thujone – the chemical contained in the liquor and responsible for the negative side effects of absinthe consumption.

Do you have any idea what instigated the absinthe prohibition in the United States? The answer is ‘Absinthe Frappé’ – one of the most popular American absinthe cocktails. In 1904 the famous Victor Herbert wrote the Broadway operetta “It happened in Nordland”, which contained a song about absinthe as well as called in the honor of it, written by Glenn MacDonough. The song became scandalously popular, and was played in almost every absinthe bar all over the country. Thus, it speeded up the introduction of the absinthe ban in the US on July 25, 1912.

Before starting the preparation of the renowned cocktail, make sure you have got at your disposal the following:

• absinthe (2 ounces),
• anisette (one splash),
• mineral water (2 ounces),
• simple sugar syrup (1 table spoon),
• crashed ice (full cocktail glass).