Drinking Absinthe: 21 Recipes for Absinthe drinks

On this site you find some ideas for classic and creative Absinthe drinks. Of course, we list at first the classic French Absinthe ritual. We want to point out, that the classic version of serving Absinthe is still with ice water and sugar. But nowadays drinking Absinthe is as well part of the cocktail culture. Therefore we show you as well some of the best Absinthe cocktail recipes. Some of the listed Absinthe drinks are all time classics like the Sazerac, some are more modern. Check out as well our Absinthe Videos, to see which traditional Absinthe rituals exist.

Drinking Absinthe: The classic French Absinthe Ritual

Pour a shot (25ml) of absinthe into a glass or old fashioned cocktail glass, place a cube of sugar on an absinthe spoon and trickle ice cold water to fill 1 to 3 parts or to taste. This is the way how famous Absinthe drinkers like van Gogh, Lautrec or Baudelaire drank their glass of the green liquor. And this is still the right way how to drink Absinthe. We highly recommend this drinking ritual to all Absintheurs.

Flamed Absinthe: Not recommended but a lot of bars serve Absinthe like this

Don't drink your Absinthe like this but this is how it is served: Dip a tea spoon of sugar into 1 shot of absinthe, flame it on the spoon and let it caramelise, once the flame has gone out stir it into the absinthe and add water until it louches. We can not recommend this ritual, as the fire destroys the fine flavor of absinthe and furthermore promotes the "drug-like" aspect of Absinthe.

Zach Attack:

This recipe is Zach's (US Absintheur) favorite: 1 part absinthe, 1 part vodka, 1/2 spiced rum (Captain Morgans), 1/4 Absolute Vanillia, 1/4 ginger beer. Mix and serve over ice. This absinthe drink is quite strong, beware!

Sazerac Absinthe:

1/2 absinthe coated in chilled martini glass, 1 spoon of syrup, 2 dashes of peychaud bitters, 2 dashes angostura bitters, 1 1/2 rye whiskey (not bourbon) , shake and strain over ice with a lemon twist. This absinthe drink is an all time classic.

Absinthe Suisse:

1 part absinthe, squeeze of lemon and lime juice over crushed ice, sprinkle sugar on top. Drinking an Absinthe Suisse reminds of a Gimlet.

Absinthe Cleverly:

1 part absinthe, 1 part gran marnier, dash of gomme with sugar or salt rim. Yes, it reminds of serving a Tequila :-)-.

Voodoo Pigalle:

2 parts absinthe, 1/2 midori, 1/2 green chartreuse, dash of gomme and a splash of lemon juice, shake and serve. This drink is devilish...

Hemingway Revolution:

1 part absinthe, 1 chambord, 1/2 fraise, 1/2 creme de cassis topped with cranberry juice, serve in martini glass with sugar rim. Ernest enjoyed this drink very much.

Absinthe Royal:

1 part absinthe on top of 1/2 glass of champagne, dash of creme de menthe. This is for the sophisticated absinthe drinkers!

Absent Jack:

1 part absinthe, 12 redcurrants, 1 water, 1/2 cointreau, blended and strained over crushed ice. Skinny Absinthe drink for the hard drinkers.

Hemingway's Dream:

1 part absinthe, 1 lemon juice, 3 cubes demerara sugar, 9 mint leaves, shake and strain into martini or cocktail glass. Softer drink that Heminway enjoyed.

Absinthe Martini:

1 part absinthe, 1/2 apple schnapps 1/2 cinnamon schnapps coated in shaker, dash of apple juice, shake and strain into martini glass, garnish with apple slice. This is an American favorite. Drink it in the afternoon as a sundowner drink.

Absent Days:

1 part absinthe, 2 spoons of raspberry puree, 1/2 peach schnapps, dash of gomme, orange juice, shake, serve in cocktail glass. Yes, this drink can make you "absent".

Vinyl Sunset:

1 absinthe, 1/2 cassis, splash of lime, build over ice, top up with soda or lemonade. The refreshing drink for the summer.

Eden's Apple:

1 part absinthe, 1/2 midori, 1/2 green charteuse, splash of apple juice & top up with dry ginger, garnish with apple slice. Did anyone see Adam and Eve?

Valhalla:

1/2 part absinthe,1 blackcurrant vodka, 1/2 triple sec, passion juice, squeezed lime & 4 mint leaves, shake and pour into highball glass, garnish with twig of mint. This drink is a bit complex to prepare but damn delicious.

Absence:

1/2 part absinthe, 1 absolute citron, 1/2 poivre william, 4 white grapes, 4 lime wedges, 4 mint leaves, 3 spoons of brown sugar, muddle, and strain over crushed ice, garnish with twig of mint & 3 white grapes.

Café de Paris:

1 part absinthe, 1 dry gin, 1 spoon of sweet cream, 1 egg white, blended. A 19th century drink for the nostalgia drinkers.

Knock Out:

1/3 part absinthe, 1/3 french vermouth, 1/3 dry gin, 1 teaspoon white creme de menthe, shake well and pour into cocktail glass. Yes, it will knock you off your socks.

Absinthe Margarita:

1 part absinthe, 1 tequila,1/2 gran marnier or triple sec, sour mix, lime juice, salt rim, pour ingredients over ice, float triple sec, add slice of lime. The Mexican inspired absinthe drink.

Cajun Mary:

2 parts absinthe, fill cocktail glass with ice, pour absinthe and fill with tomato juice, add dash of wocestershire sauce & tobasco sauce, salt & pepper, serve with garnish of your choice. This drink burns twice!

Absinthe Frappe:

1 part absinthe over crushed ice with the flavouring of your choice - lime juice, grenadine etc. Refreshing drink for the summer!

Cheers!