Absinthe
Wormwood vodka, or absinthe, is a drink with an alcohol content of 70 to 86%. Refers to the famous aperitifs that awaken the appetite. The main component is wormwood.
Absinthe
Composition
A strong alcoholic drink is made on the basis of an extract from bitter wormwood, a herbaceous perennial plant that has a strong aroma and a famous bitter aftertaste. The chemical composition of the essential oil of bitter wormwood contains a high percentage of monoterpene (thujone) with a menthol smell and properties toxic to the human body.
Absinthe containing wormwood extract contains only a small proportion of toxic thujone, which makes it possible to consume a strong alcoholic drink without harm to health, provided that the norm is observed.
Belongs to the category of aniseed spirits. In the industrial production of absinthe, in addition to the most important component - wormwood, its composition includes the following:
- calamus herb;
- spices - aniseed thigh, coriander, wild star anise, lemon balm, mint and mint blue St. John's wort;
- veronica flower;
- angelica;
- naked licorice;
- parsley;
- narrow-leaved wormwood;
- chamomile;
- fennel.
Views
The main classification of absinthe is based on color:
- green with shades from emerald to light - the classic color of a drink made from the foliage and inflorescences of bitter wormwood, this color arises from chlorophyll, which decomposes under the influence of sunlight, for this reason the drink is poured into a dark glass container;
- yellow - obtained through the use of food dyes, however, in some cases, the color is the result of the natural decomposition of chlorophyll, which confirms the naturalness of the alcoholic product;
- red - pomegranate extract gives it, it also provides a characteristic aftertaste, the use of food colors is also permissible;
- brown (black) - this drink is made from wormwood roots with the addition of black acacia tincture, which provides a dark shade.
Because of its bright green color, absinthe got the name "green fairy" and "green witch".
In the process of adding water, the absinthe becomes cloudy, which is due to the formation of an emulsion of essential oils of anise and fennel, as well as a high alcohol content.
Strong alcoholic drink is also divided by alcohol content:
- high strength, the share of ethyl alcohol is 55-65%, this category includes products from France, the Czech Republic and Spain;
- extreme strength, reaching 70-85%, these varieties include Swiss, Italian and German.
Absinthe comes with different amounts of thujone:
- with a high content - from 25 to 100 mg / l, such drinks are produced mainly in Switzerland (Swiss La Bleue) and the Czech Republic (Logan 100, King of Spirits);
- with a low content - from 1.5 to 10 ml / l, these include most of the recipes for European drinks;
- containing wormwood extract and a minimum proportion of thujone or imitating tinctures.
Properties
The drink can cause severe intoxication.
Absinthe is considered a harmful alcoholic drink, linking its adverse effects on the body with toxic monoterpene, which is attributed to hallucinogenic properties. Overdose leads to a number of unfavorable consequences:
- general overexcitation;
- altered consciousness;
- the appearance of hallucinations;
- the emergence of unmotivated aggression;
- headaches;
- muscle cramps.
This is explained by the excessive strength of the drink, in which a high concentration of alcohol when consumed in a dose of 100 g or more leads to severe intoxication and hangover syndrome. At the same time, thujone and essential oils mask the taste of alcohol, which weakens control over the use of strong tincture.
Practical use
The strong alcoholic beverage has several areas of practical application.
Medicine
The herbal composition of wormwood vodka has medicinal properties and benefits health when drunk in small quantities. Wormwood alcohol stimulates appetite and is able to regulate digestive processes, treats anemia.
The recommended amount is up to 30 g per day.
Contraindications for the use of an alcoholic drink from wormwood are individual intolerance to the herbal components, childhood, pregnancy and lactation.
Seasoning
Wormwood vodka is used in cooking in the process of preparing meat dishes and savory sauces. It is combined with coffee and is used as a main or additional ingredient in alcoholic cocktails.
Absinthe at home
Absinthe is made at home. To prepare it, you will need components that should be collected during the flowering period of plants:
- bitter wormwood - 3 tsp;
- aniseed and coriander seeds;
- tansy - 3 tbsp. l .;
- cardamom - 15 pods;
- angelica root - 3 tsp
Initially, according to the recipe for preparation, wormwood herb is insisted for 2 days. Keep the broth both cold and hot. The hot method, in which the herbal collection is heated in a water bath, speeds up the aging process. 1.75 liters of ethyl alcohol and other components and spices are added to the real herb or heated broth of wormwood, after which it is insisted for 7 days. The resulting alcoholic infusion is distilled and filtered, resulting in about 1.25 liters of finished products with a strength of 65%.
When making absinthe at home, pure ethyl alcohol is not substituted for vodka and moonshine.
Distilled homemade absinthe has a transparent color. The classic green shade is given by the addition of mint, lemon balm, fennel.
The drink prepared at home is not subjected to special purification, as required by the industrial production instructions, but retains a significant proportion of thujone in its composition.
Usage rules
Absinthe must be drunk correctly
To avoid adverse effects, absinthe should be drunk correctly. There are several common ways.
Undiluted
Wormwood vodka is often drunk undiluted. Before drinking, the drink is cooled, drunk in the hall. As such, it goes well with dark chocolate and citrus fruits.
In french
Absinthe is drunk in French using a special spoon with small holes on which a piece of sugar is placed. A spoon is placed on the edges of a glass with a drink and cold water is poured on top of the sugar, which, when interacting with wormwood vodka, enhances the properties of thujone and provides softness.
In Czech
In Czech, wormwood vodka is also drunk with a spoon, however, sugar is not poured with water, it is set on fire. Cold water is added to the alcoholic beverage at the end to soften the taste.
Conclusion
A strong alcoholic drink made from wormwood is called absinthe. Its plant composition has medicinal properties. This remedy treats a number of digestive disorders and is a stimulant.Alcohol tincture is prepared according to a simple recipe at home using wormwood broth. It has contraindications and limitations in its use.