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The Green Fairy co*cktail is a very old classic, probably one of the oldest co*cktails in the world. It’s so named because that’s the nickname for its main ingredient, absinthe.
For years, absinthe was banned because people believed it could give people hallucinations. If you drink this and see green fairies, know that it’s not the fault of the liquor.
The History of the Green Fairy co*cktail
The Green Fairy co*cktail, also known as the “La Fee Verte” (French for “The Green Fairy”), has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
It gained popularity during the Belle Époque period in France, particularly in Parisian cafes and bars. The co*cktail owes its name to absinthe, a highly alcoholic spirit that was once famously associated with artists, writers, and bohemian culture.
The original recipe called for you to drip ice cold water onto a sugar cube in absinthe until the cube melted. This would yield about 3-4 ounces of water to 1 ounce of absinthe.
But absinthe today is weaker than it was back then, so the recipe has adapted over the years.
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The Mythology of the Green Fairy
The Green Fairy has an intriguing mythology associated with it. It was believed that absinthe had hallucinogenic properties and could induce a state of altered consciousness in which you might see fairies.
This led to its ban in many countries during the early 20th century. However, modern research has debunked these claims, attributing them to the high alcohol content rather than any specific psychoactive properties of absinthe.
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The Ingredients
To create a true Green Fairy co*cktail, you will need the following ingredients:
- Absinthe: The star of the show, absinthe is a distilled spirit made from botanicals, including wormwood, anise, and fennel. It is known for its distinct green color and strong herbal flavor.
- Simple Syrup: A sweetener made from equal parts sugar and water. It balances out the bitterness of the absinthe. You can make your own homemade simple syrup.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy and refreshing element to the co*cktail.
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The Taste
The lemon flavor actually leads here, but it’s quickly overtaken by the anise from the absinthe. The lemon and bitters make the anise flavor less overwhelming while the egg white gives it added richness and a bit of a frothy texture.
As with most absinthe-based drinks, if you’re one of those people who can’t stand black licorice flavor, you won’t like this drink and probably shouldn’t even try it.
But if you do, it’s something special. (As always, if you’re afraid to use raw egg, a pasteurized egg white based substitute product will work just fine.)
Tips for Serving
To truly appreciate the Green Fairy co*cktail, it is important to serve it correctly. Here are some tips to enhance your drinking experience:
- Chill your glassware: Place your coupe or martini glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes before pouring the co*cktail. This will help keep your drink cold and refreshing.
- Use quality absinthe: Invest in a high-quality absinthe brand for an authentic and flavorful experience. Cheaper alternatives may lack the complexity and depth of flavor that define this co*cktail.
- Experiment with dilution: If you find the absinthe too strong or bitter, you can add a splash of chilled water to your co*cktail shaker before shaking. This will help mellow out the flavors without diluting them too much.
Pairing Suggestions
To complement the unique flavors of the Green Fairy co*cktail, consider pairing it with certain foods or snacks:
- Cheese Platter: The herbal notes in absinthe pair exceptionally well with creamy cheeses like Brie or Camembert.
- Seafood Delights: Oysters or smoked salmon can enhance the floral and citrusy flavors of the co*cktail.
- Dark Chocolate: The bitterness of dark chocolate beautifully complements the complex flavors of absinthe.
Related co*cktails to Try
If you enjoy this drink, check out the Absinthe Suissesse, which features absinthe along with orange flower water, white creme de menthe and anisette. And also:
- Sazerac
- Corpse Reviver No. 2
- Absinthe Drip
- Tuxedo co*cktail
- Monkey Gland
Yield: 1 drink
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
The Green Fairy co*cktail is a very old classic, probably one of the oldest co*cktails in the world. It's so named because that's the nickname for its main ingredient, absinthe.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce absinthe
- 1 ounce water
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 egg white
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
Instructions
- Fill a co*cktail shaker with ice and pour in all ingredients.
- Shake for at least 30 seconds to make sure the egg white is well-mixed.
- Strain into a co*cktail glass.
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Read Next:
- Absinthe Drip co*cktail Recipe
- 16 Delicious Creme de Menthe co*cktails
- Soylent Green
FAQs
The best way to drink absinthe is to dilute it with water by pouring it over a sugar cube. The traditional preparation is called an "absinthe ritual," and you can try the "absinthe drip." There's also a safe way to flame absinthe and, to ease into its distinct taste, co*cktail recipes to mix up.
What percentage of alcohol is in Green Fairy? ›
Green Fairy Absinth Dabel is a premium Czech absinth, Dabel is 70% alcohol by volume and contains the maximum amount of Thujone that is allowed in Australia.
What is the green fairy drink made of? ›
This intriguing drink, nicknamed la fée verte ("the green fairy") by nineteenth-century absinthe enthusiasts, derives its brilliant green color from the additional botanicals infused during the distillation process. Wormwood oil, fennel, hyssop, and anise are the main ingredients in a bottle of absinthe.
How to make the green fairy? ›
Directions
- Pour the absinthe into a rocks glass. Lay an absinthe spoon across the rim of the glass and set the sugar cube atop the spoon.
- Slowly pour the water over the sugar cube, allowing the sugar to dissolve into the glass.
- Stir lightly with the absinthe spoon. Serve without ice, neat.
We've gone for a 50/50 mix of lemonade and soda, but you can adjust this depending on personal preference and absinthe used. The combination of fresh and sweet citrus with the cooling mint and complex herbal spice of the absinthe is intense but so yummy.
Why is absinthe illegal? ›
Because of its popularity, the Temperance League lobbied against absinthe due to the high rate of alcohol related crime and false claims that it made you hallucinate or “go crazy” (which it did not). Absinthe was banned in most of Europe between 1905 and 1910, and the United States followed in 1912.
Is Green Fairy strong? ›
Historically described as a highly alcoholic spirit, it is 45–74% ABV or 90–148 proof in the US. Absinthe traditionally has a natural green color but may also be colorless. It is commonly referred to in historical literature as la fée verte ("the green fairy").
How do you drink 70% absinthe? ›
Slowly pour cold water over the sugar cube and into the glass, aiming for a ratio of 3-5 parts water to 1 part absinthe. As the water drips through the sugar and into the absinthe, it will cause the drink to become cloudy and the essential oils in the drink to be released, creating a unique and complex flavour profile.
What is the strong green liquor the green fairy? ›
Absinthe traditionally has a natural green colour but can also be colourless. It is commonly referred to in historical literature as “la fée verte” (the Green Fairy). Although it is sometimes mistakenly called a liqueur, absinthe is not bottled with added sugar and is therefore classified as a spirit.
Is absinthe the strongest alcohol? ›
The ABV, or alcohol by volume for absinthe typically falls between 45% and 74%. It isn't the strongest liquor or spirit, considering there are many types of vodka and rum options that are over 100%. It is the mix of ingredients alongside the high ABV that makes absinthe the potent spirit it is.
Lucid Absinthe Supérieure is the first genuine absinthe made with real Grande Wormwood to be legally available in the United States after a 95-year ban. Lucid Absinthe is made in strict accordance to traditional European methods in the historic Combier Distillery of the Loire Valley of France.
Is absinthe poisonous? ›
Wormwood, or Artemisia absinthium, contains a chemical called thujone, which when consumed in large quantities can act as a convulsant. In small quantities, like in a few servings of absinthe, thujone is totally harmless.
What percentage is green fairy drink? ›
General Information
| Brand | Tubeoptics |
|---|
| Alcohol content | 70 Percent by Volume |
| Liquid content description | Traditional Absinthe |
| Item form | Liquid |
| Liquid volume | 80 Millilitres |
31 more rowsThere are basically two ways to drink absinthe. The traditional preparation is to slowly drip water over a sugar cube and into the spirit, which becomes cloudy. (An excellent selection of traditional absinthe glassware, spoons and fountains is available at Maison Absinthe.)
What is the best way to drink your greens? ›
Shake (with Ice), Don't Stir
Mixing greens powder with cold water and ice is a simple, proven way to boost the taste with little effort.
Do you sip or shot absinthe? ›
A very high alcohol content is not considered to be excessive because absinthe is traditionally diluted with water before drinking and it is meant to be sipped slowly over time, so as not to allow the effects of alcohol to overwhelm the subtle and pleasant effect of the herbs.
What do you mix absinthe with? ›
We say: Absinthe and ginger ale combine in this refreshing highball. With: Absinthe, lime juice, chilled water, sugar syrup, and aromatic bitters. We say: The absinthe co*cktail meets the absinthe sour with lime juice added to the holy trinity of absinthe, sugar and water. With: Absinthe, chilled water, and sugar.
How strong is green fairy absinthe? ›
Experience the mystique of Green Fairy Absinth 40mL! Crafted from wormwood and distilled with a blend of herbs and spices, this spirit sits at an impressive 60% ABV, so the 40mL serving size is perfect so you can savour responsibly.
