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Welcome back dear friend! We do have a topic today that we have been burning to tell you about: Burning Absinthe. We are sure you know some drinks that can burn (as in our title picture). But how about setting Absinthe on fire…? Is flaming Absinthe a good idea?
Burning Absinthe: The fire ritual
You often see it in bars, the Absinthe fire ritual. However, this method of flaming Absinthe is not recommended at all. There are at least 4 reasons why you should not flame your Absinthe.
- Reducing the ABV: Burning Absinthe means reducing the alcohol by volume in your glass of Absinthe.
- Damage to Flavor: Absinthe is a delicate spirit with complex flavors derived from a careful blend of botanicals, including anise, wormwood, and fennel. Applying high heat, such as by setting it on fire, can damage or alter these flavors, detracting from the overall drinking experience.
- Lack of Authenticity: The Absinthe Fire Ritual has gained popularity in modern times, particularly in bars and cocktail culture. But there is little historical evidence to suggest that setting Absinthe was traditionally consumed in this manner during its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Most historical accounts of Absinthe consumption involve the traditional louche method, where cold water is gradually added to the spirit to dilute it and release its aromas.
- Safety Concerns: Absinthe typically has a high alcohol content, often ranging from 45% to 75% alcohol by volume (ABV). Igniting a high-proof spirit poses significant safety risks, including the potential for accidents, burns, or even fire hazards if not handled properly. The whole Absinthe glass (and the person wanting to drink it!) can catch fire.
Nevertheless, the last bullet point explains why people still burn their Absinthe, they want some excitement and the allure of drinking something dangerous. Below you can see a video of the fire ritual. It shows you, why you should avoid it.
Setting Absinthe on fire is not a good idea…
Burning Absinthe: These are better preparation methods
As you know, there are many more Absinthe rituals, which we also went into previously. If you are not aware of them, you can read more about the recommended classic French method, as well as others, in our Blog Post How to drink Absinthe. You will see, drinking Absinthe with ice-cold water and a sugar cube is the way to go.
If you want some more excitement you can serve your Absinthe as well with an Absinthe fountain, dripper or brouilleur. These are all historically authentic ways of serving. You do not have to light your Absinthe on fire to experience the mystique of the Green Fairy.
Conclusion:
While the Absinthe Fire Ritual may offer a visually striking experience, it is generally not recommended. The reasons are concerns regarding alcohol and flavor alteration, safety risks, and historical accuracy. Instead, enthusiasts are encouraged to explore traditional methods of Absinthe preparation. Such as the louche ritual, which emphasize the spirit’s nuanced flavors and aromatic qualities in a safer and more authentic manner.
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Green Greetings,
Your ALANDIA Team
OK but that NIN song in the video is absolute fire, even if your drink shouldn’t be.
The fire ritual was made up in the 90s by Czech absinthe producers. Czech absinthe does not louche because it lacks anise, so they had to do something to else ‘cool’ to sell the drink.