Absinthe, Prague

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Here's the simpleton tourist idea that's floating around in my head: "I'm going to buy me a bottle of absinthe!"
Walking up to the liquour shelves at the back of the confectionery store, I suddenly realize that I'm way, way out of my league. Holy geeze, there must be 200 brands of absinthe here! How am I supposed to I know the proper brands from the ones that are probably some kind of bootleg antifreeze that will poison me and make me blind for life? Some of the bottles have herbs in them, some of the absinthe is red liquid, some bottles have naked women on the labels, some bottles have monsters on the labels. ...I think I'll avoid the monster bottles--no need to go completely crazy.
Nobody is sure exactly where the production of absinthe started, but the drink has been dated as far back as the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. However, the drink seems to be very much tied to the current Czech travel experience. Absinthe is made with fermented herbs--namely wormwood, anise, and fennel and the resulting liquid is usually an unnatural bright green colour. A chemical in the drink called "thujone," is thought to have some mild hallucinatory properties although the resulting effect has been widely exaggerated. Most of the craziness associated with the drink actually comes from its 65-70% alcohol content. The taste? Personally, I think absinthe tastes a lot like Sambuca.
There are different ways of preparing absinthe for consumption; the French method involves pouring ice water over a sugarcube perched on a spoon into the drink while the Czech method involves placing a few drops of absinthe on a sugarcube perched on a spoon, lighting the cube on fire and letting the sugar melt into the drink. When water is added to a good absinthe it should "louche" (turn from a transparent green to a cloudy colour).
After 20-some minutes of staring at all these bottles, I choose one called "Hill's Absinth (Established 1920)" simply because it has what looks to me like a reputable, old-style label. Researching this topic later, I discover that Hill's isn't really a very good brand--but at least it's not car antifreeze.
So, don't go into this situation blind like I did. Do some Internet research before you leave for the Czech Republic and make a list of quality absinthe brands. Some of the more popular Czech labels are "L'Extrait de La Fee", "Songe Vert", "Cami", "King of Spirits' and "Bairnsfather Absinthe". Please note that absinthe is completely legal to own if you want to bring a bottle back to Canada but citizens of the USA must check with the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for a list of acceptable brands.
Oh, and give the Green Fairy a great big hug from me!

And most popular way to drink an absinthe shot is a tricky concoction to put together when you get to the 3rd or 4th one, but its worth a try at the beginning at least.

Generally the bartender will set you up with the right equipment, but if not, you will basically need the shot, a spoon(actually fork works very well too and sugar cubes and matches.

lightly soak the sugar cubes in absinthe and light them up. once they start to carmelize, drop them into the glass of absinthe, and letter drop down yer throat.

The more traditional way is to pour cold water over the sugar cubes so that they dissolve into the absinthe. This actually helps change the taste so its not so pungent.

Any way, you do it, have fun and be careful! You could lose an ear like Van Gogh!;)

In the bars & clubs of Prague, the drink is prepared by burning a small amount of absinth soaked sugar on a spoon, which you then stir into your glass of absinth and douse with water (1-2 parts water to absinth).
It is worth trying some Absinth when in Prague but its not very tasty... although you might like it. You can also buy it in small bottles and give to friends as gifts.

Seriously Absinthe is very strong stuff... and it does taste pretty nasty... but be very careful how much you drink of it... it doesn't seem to affect you straight away... then all of a sudden it feels like you've been hit by a 10 ton lorry! lol

When you go to the Czech Republic give absinthe a shot. Its a green spirit with a very high alcohol content. Although illegal in many countries, its a legal drink in the Czech Republic.

The deadliest locally produced brand is Hills Liquere absinthe from Jindrichuv Hradec - although thats the brand I had and it tasted like little more than horrific mouthwash.

In case you're worried the amount of wormwood in absinthe is negligble so you won't go crazy. *grin*

Yes, it has to be that horrible green liquid that does strange things to your eyes. So, it was (and still is) illegal in some parts of the world.

Essentially, if you have one or two (and once you get past the overwhelming urge to gag) you're night will be fantastic and your head will be a beautiful place.

Drink it properly. Dip in a spoonful of sugar, light the spoon and allow the sugar to drip into the glass to set the Absynth alight. Stir... blow out the fire and down it in one... you should be able to feel it travel along the journey to your stomach.

The Czech Republic is the only country still producing absinthe, so when you visit it is a must. It isn't the strongest alcohol made (that would be everclear), but it is up there at 70% alchohol by volume. It is an odd green color, but doesn't really taste much. You mainly feel a burn when you swallow. Be sure to have it the traditional way by burning a spoon full of sugar and mixing it in. Have a local show you how.

i watched a big russian get plasterd one night at night flight, he would cool down every once in awhile a drink absinthe to become realitive to his surroundings and start drinking vodka again. the wormwood is rather stiff but through experience it is more of a reality drink then alcohol, burn the alcohol off and drink it as the russkies do the sugar just helps the taste. but then ole jack daniels was really expensive when i was there also, absinthe was cheaper and didnt give you the hangover and it was the wormwood absinthe. humm wish i could get it in the states?