Absinthe Overview

Basic info, recipe, and reports

I first heard about absinthe in the magazine WIRED. I had heard the word, but had not fully understood what it was. So I looked into it. I learned a lot about the stuff on-line, since it is en vouge these days. What I originally did was make a very cheap version of it. I would soak 2 or so ounces of wormwood in alcohol and angostura bitters. I would add one ounce of oil of anise and wait 5 days.. Presto! Elí cheapo absinthe.

Well, I learned a thing or two about the drink in the following 6 months. One is that the quality of the wormwood is important. I began brewing in September, and in the fall, the quality of wormwood is superior(in my area). I was getting wildcrafted wormwood grown in the wild in Eastern Oregon. Well, I was spoiled. Because after New Year, all I could find was commercial wormwood, which was lacking aroma, bitterness, and was full of filler and of questionable quality. The freshness and quality seem to be important. Well, with the Quality wormwood, I was able to make a brew that really gave me a desirable effect. One shot was enough to wake me up, and provided 2 hours of vivid imagination and a euphoric stimulation..

I have heard it compared to solvents in its subjective effects. Well, I can see what they were getting at, but its not as harsh and brutal as solvents. You get a lightheaded feeling similar to being around gas fumes too long, but it in no way feels like a solvent high (if you would actually call it that!). I felt very creative and invigorated, but at the same time intoxicated. Vision was slightly distorted (more noticeable in darkness). There was a euphoria and stimulation that had a very unique feel. And this was all due to the absinthe, since the amount of alcohol consumed was under one ounce.

I grew very fond of this drink and next thing I knew I was drinking my disgusting concoction daily. If it was brewing, I drank tincture of wormwood at half a bottle at a time. There was a definite tolerance present. During this time I noticed no harmful effects. Not even a hangover. Soon, I realized it was time to make the real recipe to the best of my ability. So I did some research, and hereís what resulted (note:I was curious of its reputation as a hallucinogen despite any such effects on me. I researched original ingredients, and theorized that many of the other herbs added might have produced them. I suspected the oils of Dill, and Anise and Fennel, all with precursor chemicals to heavy duty hallucinogen/stimulants. Also calamus is purported to have been in the original brew, so I added that too).

• 2 ounces of wormwood(3 ounces of commercial stuff)
• 1 ounce wormwood powder
• ? ounce crushed anise seed.
• 1 bottle of store bought oil of anise seed.
• º ounce of fennel
• 2 pinches of dill (for precursor oils)
• 2 Pinches of Parsley (for essential oils)
• ? ounce of calamus (gave me terrible nausea following day, but calamus in high doses always does that to me)
• One 750ml bottle of Clear Spring 190 (dilute before drinking!!)

1. Put in medium Large French Press (for coffee usually).
2. Let sit for a day. Then press repeatedly. After each press, shake or stir it up so its all free floating and not presses down.
3. Do this daily for 2 weeks.. It should be a dark green oil after the 2nd day.
4. After 2 weeks, I pressed it and poured a half ounce into a glass with 2 tsp of sugar. Then pour water equal to amount poured or until desired.

It is Very Bitter, so beware. And do not drink if you are prone to seizures, or addiction.

This is my next point. I drank some form of wormwood daily for 6 months, maybe missing a total of 2 weeks. I didnít have physical cravings, or severe mental cravings. I just enjoyed it, and it was available. But it got to the point of habit. If I didnít have it, it was OK, but I always would drink it next chance. I didnít really notice any side effects until about 5 months. I am currently in college, so I was able to detect changes in my mental ability. After 5 or so months I was becoming absent minded (absinthe minded!!). I was forgetting details. Soon I decided to stop drinking it. Actually what prompted me to stop was a bad batch. I used too much calamus, which made me more intoxicated. But the following day I was dizzy and nauseated, and my room smelled of calamus, which made me even more sick. It was a bad batch, but one that I took much time to brew. Frustrated, I put it In the closet, and only recently did I throw out the dried mixture.

I am now realizing the long term effects on my brain. I feel my memory is fading, and I trace it back to the absinthe days. I am forgetting people and events. Like a social function that I attended recently, or a old school mate who I was good friends with. During this time I used NO other drugs besides Cylert(which is supposed to improve memory!). I used no marijuana (Never use it anymore anyway). Nothing, except absinthe. So I blame absinthe for my memory problems. Its just starting to manifest, and Iíll keep yaíll informed (if I can remember!).

Written by: Kurt Finguerra