Skip to content

SS Top Shelf Absinthe

$9.95

Absinthe is an anise-flavoured spirit derived from botanicals, including the flowers and leaves of Artemisia absinthium, together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. It traditionally has a natural green colour.

Absinthe is a spirit with an almost mythical backstory. If you mention it to people they often widen their eyes and give you a look of "Whoa, be careful". The rumours are that it makes you hallucinate, makes you high, or is illegal. But none of those rumours are true. Here's some of the myths BUSTED:

1. Absinthe has never been illegal to import or manufacture in Australia.

BUT it was illegal in America up until 2007. 

2. It will make you hallucinate!

Vincent Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Oscar Wilde all wrote about the Absinthe's supposedly hallucinogenic properties. However, no studies have proven there is any significant mind-altering effect from Absinthe compared to other alcoholic spirits. The idea that Absinthe is hallucinogenic comes from the presence of Wormwood which was traditionally. The Wormwood contains a substance called Thujone that was once thought to be similar to THC, the drug found in cannabis. This was later proven false. When consumed in very large quantities Thujone can cause muscle spasms and a loss of concentration, however the modern day version contains very little Thujone and virtually no risk of negative effects.  That said, Van Gough was supposed to be under its influence when he cut his ear off, so we suggest you drink it away from sharp objects, just in case!

3. Absinthe is served as a shot.

No! Absinthe is traditionally diluted with water to a ratio of 3 parts water to 1 part Absinthe. It's also common to serve with a sugar cube dissolved into the drink. When mixed with water, it will go cloudy white colour called louche, this is normal and a sign of good Absinthe!

Makes 2.25l