Absinthe is a strong and bitter alcoholic drink (about 70-75% alcohol), obtained by the infusion of wormwood and some herbs containing essential oils on alcohol. To avoid burning the larynx, it is customary to dilute it with water when used. Absinthe diluted with water becomes cloudy due to the precipitation of the essential oils contained in it, which, in addition to alcohol, are the main value of this drink.
Instructions
Step 1
The price and quality of absinthe depend primarily on the content of thujone in this drink - an essential oil obtained by sublimation of wormwood. Also found in thuja and tansy. According to European standards, the content of thujone per 100 g of the resulting concentrate or per 1 liter of an already diluted drink should not exceed 10 mg.
Step 2
The original recipe uses the following proportions: 25 g of wormwood tops without stems, 50 g of anise (seeds can be used), 50 g fennel (seeds can be used), 0.95 liters of 85% alcohol. Empirically, you can change it or create your own recipe for the production of this drink. It is important that all herbs for production are free from damage and stems. All spoiled and black leaves are removed from the process.
Step 3
Preparation of absinthe is possible in two ways - hot (in a water or sand bath with a water seal) or cold (simple infusion) by soaking natural materials in alcohol. Hot soaking lasts about 12 hours, cold soaking - at least 1 week.
Step 4
Then the resulting mixture is diluted with 0.45 liters of cold (soft natural or boiled) water and distilled in a distiller - a distillation device, which can be purchased in special stores selling chemical equipment. It consists of a flask, a reflux condenser, a receiving tank and a plurality of pipes for connecting and supplying water for cooling. The entire system must be strictly sealed. The process is very dangerous: alcohol is highly flammable when heated.
Step 5
Distillation is carried out until only wet grass remains in the flask. It is very important to ensure that the grass does not burn, otherwise the absinthe will acquire an unpleasant color and taste. Usually the process is stopped as soon as the distillate flowing into the receiver begins to cloud. The remaining mixture is added to a new portion of the absinthe mixture for more efficient drawing of essential oils into the prepared drink.
The resulting distillate should be colorless and transparent, with a pleasant odor.
Step 6
Then it is painted with the following ratios of dry sorted herbs: 10 g of wormwood, 10 g of hyssop, 5 g of lemon balm or mint. Only tops without stems are used. The green color of absinthe is given by chlorophyll contained in herbs, in fresh herbs it is more. When fresh herbs are used, the amount of coloring material is increased.
Step 7
The herbs are finely crushed and placed together with the distillate in a steam bath or colorator, where at a temperature of about 50 degrees, coloration and enhancement of the aroma of the produced drink take place.
Then the mixture is slowly cooled, the liquid is drained, and the herbs are squeezed out using a press.
Step 8
The resulting liquid is diluted with water to obtain a 70-75% alcohol content in the drink. Ideally, after the end of the process, 1 liter of absinthe is obtained.
Step 9
For aging, absinthe is stored in a wine cellar, where it turns yellow within 3-4 weeks. Such absinthe is highly appreciated by connoisseurs.
Step 10
The consumption of absinthe in large quantities causes severe brain poisoning, up to epilepsy, paralysis, schizophrenia or death, "thanks to which" the use of this drink was banned in many countries.
In small doses, absinthe improves mood, relieves fatigue and tension, gives bright colors to reality with complete clarity of consciousness. However, this happens only if you drink absinthe, initially relaxing and in the mood for rest. Otherwise, you will not achieve anything but intoxication.
The maximum allowable dose per evening without side effects in the morning is 50 g of undiluted drink.
