National Absinthe Day

In fact, "Blue Fairy" is a familiar name when referring to Absinthe - a distilled alcoholic beverage with a very high alcohol content of 45-74% ABV. Absinthe was banned for a long time because of its hallucinogens and nerve damage when used. However, in the past, "The Green Fairy" was the inspiration for many legendary artists such as Rimbaud, Baudelaire, Paul Verlaine or even the famous American writer Ernest Hemingway. To celebrate Absinthe, National Absinthe Day was born and is celebrated every year on March 5.

The origin of Absinthe

Absinthe is distilled from the essence of anise and sage. This drink is green or colorless due to the herb's chlorophyll, so it has long been hailed as the "Green Fairy" of wine connoisseurs. Absinthe appeared in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland at the end of the 18th century, known as a unique drink in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Especially in France, writers and artists consider it a delicacy drink his bedside pillow.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Absinthe was seen as a muse in literature and art. Typically in 1859, when Édouard Manet's painting The Absinthe Drinker used the drink as a "model", then in 1914 when Pablo Picasso released Absinthe Glass - a work consisting of a part Part sculpture, part collage and part drawing, real-life expression and illusion. There is a lot of evidence that the writers and artists of that time were busy searching for the "Blue Fairy", bringing her into literature and other works of art.

There are many myths from the old days that just drink pure Absinthe, 3 seconds later you will see a unicorn, followed by a series of illusions and loss of control of the action. People blamed Absinthe for the murders of that time or indirectly caused many famous writers and artists to die prematurely. Even the fact that Vincent Van Gogh cut off one of his own ears is also speculated to be the effect of Absinthe.

Those addicted to this drink claim to have reached heaven only after drinking. A sip of Absinthe can make everything turn green for a few seconds, the taste melts down the throat, the drinker will be dizzy for about 15 minutes to regain consciousness. If you dare to take 3 sips at a time, maybe you will go to real heaven.

In 1905, it was reported that Jean Lanfray - a Swiss farmer - had killed his family and tried to commit suicide after drinking Absinthe. Lanfray's case is a pivotal point in the debate over whether the toxic drink should be banned. A referendum was held on July 5, 1908 to ban the widespread consumption of "Green Fairies". After being approved by voters, the Swiss constitution included a ban on Absinthe.

In 1906, with the claim that Absinthe causes extreme hallucinations and has serious consequences, both Belgium and Brazil banned the sale and distribution of Absinthe, and then followed by the Free State of the Congo in 1898, after that the Netherlands banned it in 1909, Switzerland in 1910, then the United States in 1912, and in France, it was banned in 1914. The “blue fairy" still existed underground throughout the 20th century. Proof of this is that the famous American writer Ernest Hemingway still enjoyed this drink in Spain in the 1920s, he even invented a A delicious way to drink Absinthe is to mix it with champagne.

Up to now, "Green Fairy" is still the drink of those who are brave and want to seek pleasure. Absinthe is made into many modern cocktails. One often encounters a bottle of green wine, with a green fairy on it, proudly taking a place in the luxurious wine shelves of those who submit at her feet.

History of National Absinthe Day

After many studies, researchers have finally determined that the negative effects on performance and mood are caused by the use and consumption of large amounts of thujone that cannot be contained in conventional absinthe. After  the ban was lifted in 1998 in the European Union. The United States removed the ban in 2007 as a necessity, with strict conditions on how much thujone absinthe could contain.

And to commemorate the day the ban on absinthe was lifted, March 5th every year has been celebrated as National Absinthe Day since 2007.

Observing National Absinthe Day

Pour some Absinthe into a glass

Place a special absinthe spoon on the rim of the glass and place a sugar cube on it.

Slowly place 4-6 drops of ice water on top of the sugar so that the sugar dissolves and drips into the wine. Shake gently and drink. This is the best way to celebrate Absinthe Day.

If you are simply interested in learning about Absinthe but are not a drinker, this day is also suitable for you to find out more information about absinthe, stories, works of art. Share your information on social media with the hashtag #NationalAbsintheDay.