Absinthe Ice Cream

Looks like I have something to try this weekend! This one comes from ...

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2009/05/absinthe_ice_cream.html

... and in case you dont have an ice cream maker, he has great tips for making ice cream HERE.

Absinthe Ice Cream

About 1 quart (1l)

1 cup (250ml) whole milk

A pinch of salt

2/3 cup (130g) sugar

2 cups (500ml) heavy cream or half-and-half

5 large egg yolks

3-4 tablespoons absinthe

about 1 1/2 cups chopped chocolate truffles, or chocolate chips

1. Heat the milk, salt, and sugar in a saucepan.

2. Set up an ice bath by placing a 2-quart (2l) bowl in a larger bowl partially filled with ice and water. Set a strainer over the top of the smaller bowl and pour the cream or half-and-half into the bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, stir together the egg yolks. Rewarm the milk then gradually pour some of the milk into the yolks, whisking constantly as you pour. Scrape the warmed yolks and milk back into the saucepan.

4. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom with a heat-resistant spatula, until the custard thickens enough to coat the spatula.

5. Strain the custard into the cream or half-and-half. Stir over the ice until cool, then refrigerate to chill thoroughly. Preferably overnight.

6. Stir in 3 tablespoons of absinthe. Taste, and add another one if desired.

7. Freeze the custard in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once churned, stir in the chopped chocolate bits.

Absinthe In Russia & Ukraine

A few years ago while I was in Moscow, Russia my wife and I headed to a big grocery store, similar to a COSTCO here in America. It is a German company that is expanding around Europe called METRO, and this store we went to was called a HYPER MARKET becuase it was enormous in size. Imagine a COSTCO that was 4 to 6 times bigger. It literally had everything you would need under one roof. You could also buy stuff in bulk as well. So we headed there to pick up some items and as we were canvasing the isles, I noticed absinthe for sale. I cant remember the brands they had offhand, but they were all made in Czech Republic, Romania or some other Eastern European country. They also all looked like the phony mouthwash versions too. I never did buy one, but looking back it would have been a fun and interesting souvenir to add to my absinthe collection. I'm going back to Russia soon, so I will keep my eyes open for any Absinthes. Hopefully the good stuff has arrived there by now.


While I was vacationing in Yalta on the Black Sea, there was a huge park with winding trails and small restaurants scattered along and I would stop in for a quick bite to eat, or relax for a couple hours and enjoy the scenery. This park in Alupka, called Воронцовский парк, is also next to Vorontsov's Palace which is known mostly today for the Yalta Conference of WWII. Anyways, having dinner with my wife we witnessed a new (or new to me) absinthe ritual of lighting it on fire and pouring it from glass to glass before finding its way into a flaming mixed cocktail. We saw this several places in the area and must have been the new "thing to do". It was cool, I admit, but to treat absinthe like this? It must have been the cheap Czech stuff! Lets hope so anyways. Thats it until next time folks. We are going to have some interesting changes here at AbsintheMan so pop in often and enjoy the ride!

The Edison Bar - Los Angeles

There is a nice bar in downtown Los Angeles, off the main drag, in a dimly lit alley. If you dont know about it, you'll never find it. Its called the Edison Bar. Hidden down an alley, wink at the strapping bouncer, slide past the smoking lounge and journey three floors down to a swank trip back in time where cocktails flourish, absinthe is sold by a pixie, gorgeous women with boas walk through the crowd and remnants of power plant paraphernalia light up. Its 1920s Americana. Now you know why I like this place....

http://www.edisondowntown.com/

Catch an interesting slideshow of their happy hour below. Fridays are "soup kitchen" days with grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soap and depression era priced 35 cent cocktails. Yup. 35 cents. I can never refuse a good absinthe drink. Theres is called "Absinthe 75" which is: Absinthe, Lemon and Sugar cubes bathed in Champagne.

Slideshow...
http://www.laweekly.com/slideshow/view/243090/

More photos...
http://skateboarding.transworld.net/2009/05/06/stefan-janoski-nike-la-party/


This place has no cover charge and make sure to dress nice. Nice dress or style for the ladies, no sloppy jeans or tennis shoes for the guys. Dress nice or don't come at all basically is the message The Edison tries to impress. If you have sneakers on a Saturday night... You'll never get in. Again, this place serves absinthe. They have several brands like St George, Le Tourment, Kubler, Pernod, Lucid and several more. You can order them as straight shots, or in Pontarlier glasses. Wednesdays & Thursdays get packed after 7pm, and weekend nights can leave you waiting in line over an hour to get in. Consider making an online reservation, which forces you into a $25 minimum drink charge per person in your group. Drinking absinthe, you'll reach that pretty quick :)

If you want a pleasant night out in downtown Los Angeles, whether its a Wednesday night or a Saturday night... this is one night you wont forget!

The Absinthe Review Network

http://www.absinthe-review.net/

Women & Absinthe. You cant go wrong with such a match! The Absinthe Review Network (TARN) spends their days taste testing and reviewing different absinthes. Not a bad way to spend the day huh? They also have various absinthe related photos to browse, and they have an exclusive interview with Cheryl Lins, maker of small batch Delaware Phoenix Absinthes thats selling out quick...

http://www.absinthe-review.net/delaware_phoenix_interview_page_1.htm

Absinthe & Flamethrowers

I've seen this book from time to time in my local book store, yet never flipped through it. Although this book has no reviews on Amazon, Amazon.com sells the book for $11 new, and the used price is also about $11. Many times I will gauge the quality of the contents based on the used price compared to the new price. This one holds its value so maybe there is something to it. I would hardly call absinthe "living dangerously" as the write up about it suggests...

Written for reasonable risk takers and suburban dads who want to add more excitement to their lives, this daring combination of science, history, and DIY projects explains why danger is good for you and details the art of living dangerously. All of the projects—from throwing knives, drinking absinthe, and eating fugu to cracking a bull whip, learning baritsu, and building a flamethrower—have short learning curves; are human-focused, as opposed to technology-centric; are affordable; and demonstrate true but reasonable risk. The guide maintains that risk takers are more successful, more interesting individuals who lead more fulfilling lives. What would the world be like if Thomas Edison retired after 30 years working for the railroad, it asks, instead of getting fired for blowing up a rail car with one of his experiments? Though the manual doesn’t advocate getting fired, it does reveal that making black powder is pure excitement. Unlike watching an action movie or playing a video game, real, edgy life experience changes a person. Each potentially life-altering project includes step-by-step directions and illustrations along with sidebar tips from experts in the field.

In any event, it has peaked my interest enough to go read through it next time I'm at the book store. I'll let you know if I find anything interesting!

Pacific Distillery bottling up absinthe

Here is a nice article covering Pacific Distillery. The article goes on to say the new Pacifique Absinthe will run about $63 a bottle and replicates a recipe from 1855.

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/44950672.html

Cant wait to try this one.

When Absinthe Meets Chocolate

Nuno Chocolates on the east coast makes absinthe filled ganaches. Will you buy some? This is an interesting and perfect combo as I was recently drinking some newly shipped Opaline and François Guy and the dark chocolate and absinthe really hit it off in my mouth. If I had to pick, it went better with the François Guy the best, as it has less alcohol content. Personal choice of course, but I think this combo below is going to be a big winner for all of us absintheurs.

http://nunuchocolates.com/products.php?category=GA
Absinthe Delight

A favorite of chocolate lovers, wine connoisseurs, and late 19th century poet Arthur Rimbaud. The anise flavor holds its own with the dark chocolate making this an addictive treat.

Absinthe Articles for the Weekend

Found two interesting articles related to Absinthe... specifically Vincent Van Gogh's ear and how it got chopped off. I wont spoil it for you here... its a must read (at least it was for me!)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-1178163/One-arrogant-bully-The-nervous-wreck-So-truth-war-Van-Goghs-ear.html

ANother article takes you on a photo journey into Van Goghs life...

http://www.docudharma.com/diary/13384/van-goghs-ear-a-photoblog

Complete with a photo of Van Goghs famous cafe painting..

Absinthe now on Virgin Airlines

Virgin does it again. They continue to expand their horizons. This time the green fairy takes you to your destination. They become the first airline to offer Absinthe on an airplane.

They are now serving Le Tourment Vert...

http://www.letourmentvert.com/

Here is even someone blogging about it, showing proof (while on his way to Vegas)...

http://macadaan.com/2009/05/07/absinthe-on-virgin/

What is Absinthe all about?

Here is a pretty good video taste testing three types of Absinthe (courtesy Wine Library TV & Wormwood Society). The three types of absinthe are: Marteau, Obsello, and Vieux Carre. Check it out...

If the video doesnt load up, find it here:

http://tv.winelibrary.com/2009/04/14/absinthe-whats-it-all-about-episode-658/

Absinthe Cupcakes? Yes, Cupcakes.

So how much do you really love absinthe? Would you use at least 1/4 cup of it in an absinthe cupcake recipe? Would you use your favorite brand absinthe for baking or a cheaper quality brand like Lucid or Kubler?

We'll be trying this recipe out soon, as it sounds interesting enough and post the results. I am apprehensive becuase the woman who created this cupcake recipe doesnt seem to be an overtly big fan of absinthe.

Treat yourself and get your baking pans ready and give this a try. It cant be that bad, right?

http://coconutlime.blogspot.com/2008/03/absinthe-makes-heart-grow-fonder.html

The Absinthe Drinkers (movie)

I recently came across what looks like and interesting new film coming soon called "The Absinthe Drinkers". The IMDB Movie Database says production will begin in mid-September of 2009 and will be filmed in France and Italy.

The Examiner Article about the movie...

http://www.examiner.com/x-4908-Twilight-Examiner~y2009m4d17-Writer-and-director-John-Charles-Jopson-on-The-Absinthe-Drinkers-Peter-Facinelli-and-the-cast

IMDB link...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1255856/

Movie Website...

http://www.absinthedrinkers.com/

The website wants to make it clear that the movie is not about absinthe, but a group of 19th century artists whom absinthe was a part of their lives.

Here is the synopsis...

This story of a woman artist’s struggle to succeed in the male-dominated art world of 19th century Paris and Florence will feature Polish film star Alicja Bachleda, along with a strong international ensemble cast including Peter Facinelli, Jürgen Prochnow, Nikolai Kinski, and Alessio Boni, Watch this space for more casting announcements.

The Absinthe Drinkers is currently being cast in Los Angeles by Carol Lefko Casting. The Producer is Carlo Dusi.

The Absinthe Drinkers is an independent feature film by Writer/Director John Charles Jopson set for principal photography in autumn 2009 in Paris, Florence, Tuscany, and Belgium.

I wonder if we will hear any Rammstein in the movie?? :)

Drank Lots of Absinthe Last Night

Last night while cooking dinner, I decided to have a glass of absinthe. Then another. And another. And so on. I ended up trying every single one of my absinthes and took plenty of notes. Ive been wanting to do this for quite some time... planning it, but never doing it. On a whim it just happened. Yes, Im alive to tell you about it and strangely enough, I really wasnt hung over at all this morning. Maybe thats one of the reasons why I love and am so passionate about absinthe. My eyes ache a bit, which, I have no idea why. Could be those Miranda Kerr photos in the latest issue of Victoria's Secret :)

Here is the list of absinthes I tried last night: St. George Verte, Kübler 53 Swiss, Lucid Superieure, PF 1901, Pernod 68, La Fée Parisian, Un Emile, Logan Fils Suisse, Lamesinthe, King of Spirits Gold

Unfortunately for me, I have now run out of 4 of my bottles. PF 1901, Pernod 68, La Fee and Un Emile. This is a sad day here, although I will use my data from last night for my upcoming reviews. I will have to replace them with something else now! I will have to update my personal absinthe collection list down the right side of this blog.

Absinthe in National Geographic

If you havent yet seen it, National Geographic wrote a quick one page news flash in their July 2008 issue. The left side of the page showed a big modern glass, absinthe at the bottom and a flaming sugar cube on the top. Dont these producers and publishers consult with anyone first? Sheesh! The right side of the page where the short article is talks about Hemingway doing knife tricks, Toulouse-Lautrec brothel hopping and T.A. Breaux chiming in yet again as some sort of self proclaimed pseudo absinthe king. While some of this we can secretly conspire to, Breaux' oft chime-ins anywhere the word absinthe gets mentioned, grows old.

Check out Nat Geo's video about Absinthe below. Notice the angle this video takes. They show crazy guys with long stringy hair, cool bros sipping absinthe while saying its something like pot or LSD. Lets face it, this is pure psychology at work mixing imagery and wording to paint a mental picture in some peoples minds that absinthe is evil, still illegal, should still be banned, etc. This video doesnt help things. Check it out anyways...

In the mean time, I'll be out doing knife tricks and brothel hopping ;) ciao!

Vieux Carre Absinthe

A new absinthe on the horizon?? Read the blurb HERE...


But is it any good?