Archive for the ‘Absinthe recipes’ Category
Absinthe recipes
On October 07, 2007 in Absinthe recipes
Recipes for absinthe generally have two parts. There is the maceration, which is the list of herbs to be soaked in the proof spirit prior to distillation, and the list of finish herbs, which are herbs infused into the spirit after the distillation. After the finish has had time to work its way into the liqueur, it is filtered and ready for use or storage. Absinthe should be bottled in tightly sealed containers, as with corks or screw caps. Absinthe should be stored in a cool location (steady 13-18°C), away from direct sunlight. Bottles with a cork may be stored on their sides and rotated to keep the cork moist. Bottles with screw on caps should be stored upright to prevent leaking.
Spanish Absinthe
(Primary Maceration for Distillation - 1.5 liters)
- 4 grams - Common Wormwood
- 8 grams - Green Anise (Seeds)
- 6 grams - Fennel Seed
- 12 grams - Star Anise
- 2 grams - Angelica root
- 1 gram - Coriander
(Finish)
- 2 grams - Hyssop
- 3 grams - Melissa (Lemon Balm)
Suisse La Bleue (clear absinthe)
(Primary Maceration for Distillation - 1.5 liters)
- 4 grams - Common Wormwood
- 8 grams - Green Anise (Seeds)
- 6 gram - Fennel Seed
- 4 grams - Star Anise
- 3 grams - Peppermint Leaf
- 2 grams - Hyssop
- 2 grams - Angelica root
Recipe Notes
- The proof spirit is usually distilled from wine.
- Flowers and leaves of wormwood are preferred for their aromatic and fresh flavors. The stems of wormwood have a higher thujone content than the leaves and flowers and also impart more of a bitter note. Most recipes do not call for wormwood in the finish, because addition of the fresh herb at this point can add too much astringency. If wormwood in the finish is desired, it is recommended that a small quantity be used.
- Wormwood, peppermint leaf, and hyssop are usually the source of the green color associated with absinthe. The louche is due to a reaction with the anise in the spirit.
Hausgemacht absinthe
On October 07, 2007 in Absinthe recipes
German for homemade (often abbreviated HG), also called clandestine, hausgemacht absinthe is home-distilled by hobbyists and thus illegal in most countries.Mainly for personal use and not for sale, clandestine absinthe is produced in small quantities allowing experienced distillers to select the best herbs and fine-tune each batch. Clandestine production got a major boost after the ban of absinthe when small producers went underground, especially in Switzerland. Although the Swiss produced both vertes and blanches before the ban, clear absinthe (known as La Bleue) became popular as it was easier to hide. Though the Swiss ban was recently lifted, many clandestine distillers have yet to become legal; the authorities believe high taxes on alcohol and the mystique of being underground has kept many from seeking a license. Those that have become legal often still use the “clandestine” moniker on their products. HG absinthe should not be confused with absinthe kits.
Source: wikipedia.org
Homemade warning
On October 07, 2007 in Absinthe recipes
There are numerous recipes for homemade absinthe floating around on the Internet, many of which revolve around soaking or mixing a kit or store-bought herbs and wormwood extract with high-proof liquor such as vodka or Everclear. Even though these do-it-yourself kits have gained in popularity, it is simply not possible to produce absinthe without distillation. Absinthe distillation, like the production of any fine liquor, is a science and an art and requires expertise and care to properly manage.Besides being unpleasant to drink and a pale impression of authentic distilled absinthe, these homemade concoctions can sometimes be poisonous. Many of these recipes call for the usage of liberal amounts of wormwood extract or essence of wormwood in the hopes of increasing the believed psychoactive effects. Consuming essential oils will not only fail to produce a high, but can be very dangerous. Wormwood extract can cause renal failure and death due to excessive amounts of thujone, which in large quantities acts as a convulsive neurotoxin. Essential oil of wormwood should never be consumed straight.
Source: wikipedia.org