Absinthe

Absinthe is availible in the UK again after an 85 year absence. It is a herbal liquer twice the strength of most others availible. It is a green drink, and was the drink of choice for many C19th intellectuals was banned in France, Belgium, Switzerland and the US since just before WW1. Now, a few british companies have started importing it again, after they found that the drink was never formally banned in the UK. Although 'the old stuff' contained a drug, Thujone, it hasn't been detected in the modern imported absinthe. Absinthe is very expensive, though. It costs about £50 for a litre of 55-70 proof absinthe.

It is made by steeping dried herbs, including wormwood in ethanol and then distilling the steep liquor. This is vital, as wormwood contains absinthins, which are extremely bitter and need removing. This is then treated with Roman Wormwood and other hebs in a tricky and delicate final process. This adds a subtle flavour and a bright green pigment which is easily denatured with heat or light.

The active ingredient in wormwoods is alpha thujone, and it has a similar structure to menthol. This modulates the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) system in the brain, and moderates the firing of neural synapses. The EU allows 10ppm a-thujone in absinthe. a-thujone however ids found in sage, tansy and tarragon, as well as in many perfumes, creams and salves. It is now thought that absinthe only has the effect it does because of the amount of alcohol in it.

Thujone