Absinthe

Well, the ladies tried it,
.
.
.
and a boy-

but us 3 others stood clear.
Pilsner is ok, but this is an altogether unknown entity.

I always seemed to have associated absinthe with some sort of horrible green liquid that does strange things to your eyes (green fairies?). Might be a misconception, judging from the lack of tangible side-effects amongst the ladies. Not even a hint of tipsyness- steady people these ladies were!





Anyway, the Czech Republic and Spain are the only two places that legally sell Absinthe in Europe. If you want the real stuff (that supposedly made Van Gogh cut off his own ear) cough up the extra money for a bottle containing wormwood. The color should be a foggy green.

The Czech Republic is the only country still producing absinthe, so when you visit it is a must. It isn't the strongest alcohol made (that would be ever-clear), but it is up there at 70% alcohol by volume. It is an odd green color, but doesn't really taste much. You mainly feel a burn when you swallow (this, I don't know. You got to try to find out). Be sure to have it the traditional way by burning a spoon full of sugar and mixing it in.

:: Have a local show you how--->




Essentially, if you have one or two (and once you get past the overwhelming urge to gag) you're night will be fantastic and your head will be a beautiful place.

Drink it properly. Dip in a spoonful of sugar, light the spoon and allow the sugar to drip into the glass to set the Absinthe alight. Stir... blow out the fire and down it in one go. You should be able to feel it travel along the journey to your stomach.

Our most-accomodating alcohol dealer aknowledged that the scorpion absinthe may have some 'neurotoxic effect', in the smattering english he could muster! No. Them ladies didn't know bout it till later! No-la, they took the non-scorpion version-la.



Verdict: Drinking is inadvisable, but getting a souvenir bottle is always acceptable!