1. October 24th 2012
Ignite Denver 12
Joseph Labrecque

2. Botanical spirit containing
Grande Wormwood,
Aniseed, and Fennell.
Prepared with ice water in
ritualistic fashion.

3. Ritualistic preparation
Deep and interesting history
All natural, medicinal
Overall EXPERIENCE!!!

4. 1. Absinthe bulb
2. Spoon and sugar
3. Water pour
4. Time for drinking

5. Tapered “cup” glass with stem
A reservoir “bulb” or etching
Any glass can be used, really

6. Rests over the glass.
Sugar placed upon spoon
Slotted face allow sugars
to pass easily into the glass
below.

7. Iced water is held in a
reservoir and trickled into
the Absinthe via small
spigot.
A small carafe of water may
be used instead.

8. Cloudy
Swirling
Opalescent
Milky
The louche is created by
botanic oils and their
inability to bind to water.

9. During the louche, fragrances
from the oils are released.
Absinthe is said to “bloom”
during this process.

10. Anise & Fennel (licorice)
Wormwood (bitter)
Others herbs help create a
balance and complexity.

11. Warmth, clarity, lucidity –
not a base drunkenness.
Though it is highly
alcoholic!
NOT hallucinations!

12. Medicinal properties.
Grows well in Colorado.
Contains a compound
known as Thujone.

13. Hallucinations!!!!
(not really)
Traditional Absinthes contain
surprisingly little Thujone due
to distillation.

14. Wards off Malaria
Poisoning by Hemlock
Bite of the sea Dragon
General antiseptic
Menstrual stimulant
Anti-inflammatory
Stomach, Liver, Gallbladder
Weakens parasites and worms
General medical elixir

15. Temperance movement
Wine lobbyists
Unsafe Absinthes
Murders
Misinformation

16. FDA = “Thujone-free”
Pre-ban Absinthes actually
do fall into this range.
Modern, US Absinthe
made the traditional way is
real Absinthe.

17. 1. The Trinity (W/A/F)
2. Flavors (anise + wormwood)
3. Unsweetened spirit
4. Herbal coloring – no dyes
5. Distilled in traditional way

18. 1. Advertised as “high-Thujone”
2. No Grande Wormwood
3. Untraditional flavoring
4. Sweetened
5. Artificial dyes

19. Denver distilleries:
• Leopold Bros.
• Overland Distillery
Denver bars:
• À Côté Bar à Absinthe
• Lala’s Wine Bar

20. Let’s louch…
Twitter: @JosephLabrecque
Email: Joseph.Labrecque@du.edu
Web: http://JosephLabrecque.com/