Absinthe - Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any questions about buying absinthe online? Everything you ever wanted to know about absinthe including what is thujone, absinthe wormwood and is absinthe legal in my country. Do you want to make absinthe (also spelled absinth)? Answers to your absinthe related questions are here...

Is there a difference between absinthe in the US compared to what can be sold in Europe?

I was under the belief that it was illegal for American Liqueur stores to sell Absinthe. I was in a store yesterday and they had about 7 different brands of this stuff on their shelves. I did notice that almost all of these brands were made in France and none one of these bottles listed the amount of wormwood in it...
The so-called ABSINTHE AVAILABLE in the U.S. contains NO THUJONE, the psychoactive element that gives real absinthe its kick. Other absinthe manufacturers, (particularly those selling in the U.S.), are so scared at the stigma of thujone that they decide not to use wormwood in their beverages. Yet, without wormwood, many wouldn't consider liquor a true absinthe. Such reasoning is appropriate, especially considering the fact that real absinthe is derived from wormwood's scientific name, Artemisia Absinthium. However, our range of REAL ABSINTHE ORIGINAL is made from 100% wormwood, so you can be assured you'll be getting the real thing if you decide to order securely and safely online.

Is there any problem sending shipments of absinthe to the USA?

La Boheme UK Ltd. accepts absinthe orders from almost any country in the world. We have been successfully shipping absinthe to the USA for more than twenty years now and we have had no negative comments regarding customs procedures. Thujone is still banned in the U.S., but as a food rather than a drug. You aren't allowed to distill or commercially make absinthe, but you can legally own a bottle and even make your own as long as it isn't distilled. All of our Czech Absinthe products are being sent in plain cardboard boxes, description of the product and absinthe cocktail recipes are enclosed with every parcel. Our standard delivery time is usually 3-5 working days.

Will strong Absinthe make me high (hallucinate, etc.)?

Quality absinthe, properly distilled, does have a different effect over and above the results of alcohol, though at up to 70%, the effects of the alcohol alone can be considerable. Absinthe's effects, despite popular conception, are not due to the wormwood alone. Absinthe's constituents consist of a very delicate balance of various herbs, most of which contribute in one way or another to its intoxicating effects. It is a push-me, pull-you effect of the various herbs, as some are of an heightening effect, and others are lowering. The effect on the individual is subjective, and can best be described as a kind of heightened clarity of mind and vision, mildly ponderous and sparkling, and warmed by the effect of the alcohol. This seems to wear off after 20 or 30 minutes, leaving one with an alcohol buzz. 2-3 glasses of absinthe seems to do the trick. More than that, depending on the proof of the alcohol, absinthe will just make you very drunk.

Absinthe FAQ

What is the traditional method of preparing & drinking absinthe?

First you pour roughly three ounces of absinthe into a heavy parfait-style stemmed glass. A perforated absinthe spoon (sometimes very elaborately so) is set upon the rim of the glass and on the spoon is placed a cube of sugar. Ice-cold water is ever so slowly dripped from a glass carafe designed specifically for that purpose, onto the cube. The sugar dissolves and you continue pouring until the ratio of absinthe to water is about two to five parts, depending upon your taste and fortitude. The emerald green absinthe releases a floral bouquet and clouds into a pale opalescent green or yellow right before your eyes, filling you with a sense of creation and mystery. Give the mix a spin with the spoon and drink like you dripped - slowly.
With regards to Absinthe King and Absinthe King Gold, please don't consume herbs. Carefully strain and pour into a glass. Absinthe is best served well chilled with a little water and sugar.

Absinthe Original. Why do thousands of people keep returning for more?

The answer is not "Absinthism" - the medical term used during the beginning of the last century to describe the "supposedly" absinthe provoked addiction. The correct answer is superior quality - a unique mixture of hard mountain spring water and only the best pure grain spirits and our unique blend of traditional absinthe herbs to ensure a flavourful, robust taste and wormwood content.
We know how to make REAL THUJONE ABSINTHE that delivers a pleasant effect and smooth flavor.

Absinthe FAQ

Is thujone absinthe legal?

Absinthe laws vary from country to country.
Most members of the European Union now allow the sale of strong absinthe, with limit of 35 milligrams of thujone per kilogram. Bars and restaurants in Britain began serving absinthe when they discovered it was never formally banned in the country.
Germany - thujone-containing absinthe available at bars and stores in Germany, it is quite popular in some parts of Germany and Austria.
Netherlands - 1909 ban on absinthe sales lifted in July 2004. Thujone containing absinthe sold in liquor stores, as long as thujone quantity remain within European-accepted levels.
Thujone containing absinthe is being sold in liquor stores in New Zealand.
In Switzerland, the prohibition of absinthe was even written into the constitution in 1907, following a popular initiative. In 2000 this article was repealed during a general overhaul of the constitution, but the prohibition was written into ordinary law instead. Later that law was also repealed, so from March 2, 2005, absinthe is again legal in its country of origin, after nearly a century of prohibition.
Absinthe recently became legal in the Canadian province of British Columbia. In the US, thujone is still banned, but as a food rather than a drug. You aren't allowed to distill or commercially make absinthe, but you can legally own a bottle and even make your own as long as it isn't distilled.

Absinthe FAQ

Thujone, generally used as a benchmark to measure wormwood content in absinthes.

Thujone is a widely occurring natural product found in the essential oils of two Artemisia species, Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia pontica. The French liquor absinthe was once prepared from wormwood leaves as well as several other herbs.
Thujone is a monoterpene, or a class of natural products containing ten carbons, found in many different plants and flowers. Monoterpenes are derived from the coupling of two isoprenoid units, which are made from isopentylpyrophosphate, a precursor in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. These compounds are usually fragrance oils or low melting solids and are used commerically as aroma or flavoring agents. Thujone is structurally related to menthol, which is an old natural remedy for various ailments.

On thujone limits in the UK
While absinthe importation and sales is legal in the UK, as it was never made illegal, they do regulate the amount of thujone (wormwood) allowed. The limit in the UK is 35 mg, therefore all absinthes being sold there must comply with this limit.

Is there any problem sending shipments of absinthe to Canada?

In Canada, absinthe is completely legal, and on sale in some liquor stores. We presently have a number of satisfied customers in Canada and we have had no negative comments regarding customs procedures. Our standard delivery time is usually 5 business days. All of our Absinthe products are being sent in plain cardboard boxes. Description of the product and absinthe recipes are enclosed with every parcel.

Absinthe FAQ

Where can I buy strong absinthe?

Surf no further, you have found the home of the worlds best selling absinthe - Absinthe Original. With over 20 absinthe products including reproduction Absinthe spoons, T-shirts, absinthe glasses, zippos and of course the worlds best - Absinthe Original - buy Czech Absinthe here. In addition to assembling the finest collection of Absinthe collectibles we have on offer a number of very special offers which will either save you $$$ or will give you some fantastic free products.
It is our aim to offer the finest Absinthe products coupled with the best value for money, and on OriginalAbsinthe.com you will find the best collection available on the net however, you must be aware of that there are many counterfeit absinthe products available on the internet, all of these are poor quality and most will not contain any wormwood (artemisia absinthium) which is the herb that not only gives absinthe its name but also the thujone that gives absinthe its reputation.
Any site (other than this one) claiming to offer for sale original absinthe with the maximum wormwood content, is unauthorised and possibly bogus. We hear of many people ordering from these sites only to find that they lose their money, or do not receive the brand of absinthe they ordered. Most other brands of absinthe do not contain wormwood at all. There is no other brand of absinthe that has more wormwood than genuine Absinthe King Gold which is also available to buy here.

Absinthe FAQ

I don't have a credit card... is there any other way of paying?

Absinthe Original accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Visa Debit, Maestro, JCB and Diners Club.
We also accept PayPal payments for your absinthe orders, please send total amount manually to info@laboheme.uk.com.
Bitcoin and Litecoins payments are also accepted and if you would like to see prices in your favourite cryptocurrency, use the currencies drop down menu on the very up right side of our web site. When you're ready to make a purchase, just choose Bitcoin or Litecoin as your payment method. It's as simple as that!
There is also a Bank Transfer payment option available during checkout. Instructions with our bank details will be sent to you after your absinthe order is completed.

I was looking around the site for what I've ordered before... Sebor Absinth. But it looks as if you don't carry that particular absinthe brand anymore...

Sebor Absinth is no longer produced by Mr Sebor from Krasna Lipa. We have therefore decided to discontinue Sebor Absinth seeing that its new owner is unable to sustain high quality and regular supply of this absinthe brand.

How do I convert European cl (centilitres) in American fluid ounces?

75cl bottle equals to 25.36 fluid ounces, 50cl bottle equals to 16.91 fluid ounces and 20cl bottle is equal to 6.76 fluid ounces.

Absinthe FAQ

Will wormwood or thujone show up in a drugs test?

No, absinthe, wormwood or thujone will not show in a standard drug test.

Why the different spelling of Absinth / Absinthe?

This is quite simply a language difference. Although 'absinthe' is the generic spelling as coined by the Swiss and French, who were the original absinthe producing nations, you will find that around the world there are many different spellings for the word absinthe. In the Czech Republic 'e' is dropped, and thus, absinth. The Spanish say absenta and the Italians say assenzio, but they all mean absinthe.

How much two bottles of Absinthe Original shipped to USA would cost in US dollars?

Shipping rates are based on weight and location. The cost of the item (for insurance) is also taken into consideration. Two bottles of Absinthe Original will normally be anywhere from $39.90 to $49.90 using FedEx Express delivery.
Here at OriginalAbsinthe.com, our goal is to get you the best deal and service possible. That is exactly why we have developed a feature called "Estimated Shipping". Getting an accurate estimate of shipping cost is easy. Simply place any required products in the Shopping Cart. Once you have all the items, "View Cart" and there is "Estimate Shipping" table displaying shipping cost for your order.

What does absinthe taste like? Is it very bitter?

The power and attraction of absinthe lies in its inherent contradictions. Though fortified with a formidable measure of alcohol, a depressant, it is also infused with powerful herbal stimulants, creating a psychic tug of war in the mind of the imbiber. Alcohol relaxes inhibitions and invites in new ideas, and the stimulants allow you to logically process the new data.
Foremost of the stimulants is thujone, the psychoactive chemical at the heart of the herb wormwood, which, along with anisette, gives absinthe its bitter, black liquorish taste. While once thought to instigate simular reactions as marijuana's THC, recent research suggests it modulates the neurotransmitter GABAA, which plays a vital role in cognitive thought. Subsequently, absinthe provides a level of clarity not usually associated with alcoholic drinks, and what artist worth his beret could pass that up?
The recipes for absinthe, and thus the flavor, vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer, as was true at the turn of the century when there were over 200 absinthe producers. Today, there are not nearly so many, but more and more crop up every day! That said, a few of the modern Spanish brands seem to have the best hold on flavor. At its best, and in varying degrees with brands such as Deva, Lasala & Mari Mayans, you will find a strong anise (close to licorice) flavor with undertones of its many herbal constituents.
Despite popular opinions, due mostly to people's erroneous assumptions upon sampling home brews, absinthe, when properly distilled, is not extremely bitter. Wormwood, whose extract used to be a popular ingredient in many perfumes, actually has strong floral & herbal flavor (and scent) that is heightened when extracted by proper distillation, which leaves behind many of the bitter absinthins. So yes, there is bitterness (probably more evident in absinthes with higher thujone content allowed), but it is an undertone, and not overpowering in the slightest. Absinthe King of Spirits Gold is somewhat more bitter than regular absinthe, yet paradoxically more smooth - the usual sharp 140 proof edge appears to be in hiding in the herbs.

How can I make absinthe?

There are a lot of recipes for homemade absinthe on the internet, but we don't recommend any of them. In most places it's illegal, and very dangerous, to brew absinthe or any other kind of distilled liquor. Furthermore, true absinthe recipes involve ingredients not available to the average person. Most online absinthe recipe sites will admit that the finished product tastes terrible, and does not have the same effect as the genuine products we sell. If you still plan to make your own absinthe, you should buy a few bottles of the real product from us, just so you know how good actual absinthe tastes.

Is shopping with Absinthe Original secure?

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So when buying through our site, you can be sure that you are completely protected.

Absinthe FAQ