What's the worst that can happen from drinking too much absinthe?  The same thing that would happen if you drank too much of any spirit.  You'll wish you hadn't, in the morning.

When did you start drinking it? And why is there such mystique around it? I experienced my first real absinthe when it became available in this country a couple of years ago.  It was not easy to find, and at that time only one or two brands could be had.  One of them is the absinthe marketed under the name "Lucid," which is the French brand that overturned the US ban on the spirit.  As far as the mystique, first, even though it has been around since the end of the 18th century (about 1790), the liquor gained it greatest popularity during the period known as the Gay 90's in Europe toward the end of the 19th century.   The ingredient known as grand wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), a herbaceous, perennial plant native to Eurasia and North Africa was reputed to have hallucinogenic or psychoactive properties (later disproved), and became a favorite of many late Victorian or early Edwardian writers, artists, musicians, and literatti of all persuasions (Vincent van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, Toulouse Lautrec, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).  I suppose you could say that the drink's alleged "magical" properties plus the fact that it was enjoyed by so many legendary characters have greatly contributed to the green spirit's mystique.

Why was absinthe banned for so many years? A small but remarkably aggressive temperance movement backed by sufficient political muscle in the early 20th century was the cause of absinthe's banishment.  It was even outlawed for a time in Europe.  The rational was that the liquor if drunk in sufficient quantities could make the imbiber go mad, and go on rampages of destruction and murder.  Much of this unsubstantiated crusade was based on a single episode in France, where a French farmer allegedly murdered his wife and child after indulging in absinthe.  What was not mentioned in the subsequent legal hearings was that the accused was already a known alcoholic who had drunk no less than twenty two separate drinks of varying spirits since early that morning.  It was absinthe's bad luck that it was the last beverage he drank before killing his family.  There really was no direct connection that it was the absinthe that caused the tragedy, but it was the "Green Fairy" who took the rap.

How is it made? Absinthe is a distillate produced like any other spirit, often in a copper still.  There are a number of botanicals added during the process similar to the procedure used to make a good gin.  The exact mix is usually a carefully and jealously guarded secret, but in order for an absinthe to be a real absinthe it must contain genuine wormwood.  There is no way around that.

What's all this about Lucid being an authentic absinthe? What are the inauthentic kinds? As I mentioned earlier, Lucid is the brand that overturned the US ban on absinthe just a few years ago.  Lucid is rightfully considered authentic because it contains grand wormwood, the real stuff, and is completely natural.  There are no artificial ingredients or colorings which are found in some of the other brands available in this country.  An "inauthentic" or perhaps the better word would be "faux" or false absinthe might be one that although marketed as an absinthe-like drink, does not contain any grand wormwood. 

Who sells absinthe by the bottle in Baltimore? Absinthe is making its way to many of the larger liquor distributors around the country.  I would imagine that if your local liquor shop does not already have one or two brands, it could be special ordered for you.

Are there any bars in Baltimore that serve worthwhile absinthe cocktails? This I'm sorry to say I can't tell you.  To the best of my knowledge not too many bars as yet feature the spirit because they may not know it is available.  They may also not know how the spirit was prepared in its heyday over a hundred years ago.

What's your favorite absinthe cocktail and how is it made? Although current absinthe distributors are also providing more modern recipes that combine absinthe with many popular mixers, my favorite method is the old Belle Epoque method that mixes a measure of absinthe with sugar and water in its own special glass (these glasses can also be seen on the Virtual Absinthe Museum website).  It's a slow, methodical ritual and was obviously developed at a time when folks took time to live in the moment and savor friendships.  An extra added element of fun are the number of accessories that can be utilized to mix a classic absinthe.  These can include absinthe spoons, ballanciers, broulliers, and absinthe fountains.  At the Wharf Rat we have the ability to mix the drinks with any of the above mentioned accoutrements

Have more questions? Ask below. The Wharf Rat is at 801 S. Ann Street. The absinthe night starts at 8 p.m. tonight.

Incidentally, starting at 5:30 p.m. today, Kooper's Tavern is hosting a tasting of Maryland vodka Sloop Betty. Distillers Christopher and Jon Cook will be present.