We researched absinthe for many days before our adventure in its legal home production.
While it's illegal to buy or sell absinthe in the US, it is not illegal to sell or use the blend of herbs used to make the stuff. Granted, the original absinthes were distilled from a mash of grain that included wormwood and the other flavoring herbs (angelica, hyssop, anise and others) and our method was only a maceration of said herbs in high-proof alcohol. History has shown that most of the addictive problems suffered from the use of absinthe came mostly from alcoholism, but also the toxic nature of cheap distillation processes that infused lead into the drink as well.
We were assured by the company selling the herb sachets that they did include the necessary wormwood containing thujone. I even threw in a few sprigs from my lovely wormwood plant that grows in my herb garden (it's really a very pretty plant).
Like I said though, even pouring the stuff over sugar cubes and mixing it with gingerale did not cut the overwhelming bitterness. Now I drink strong coffee black, and I like to eat unsweetened chocolate, but the bitterness of absinthe is in a whole other realm!
Maybe we'll just pull out the stuff at parties when the festivities devolve into challenges and dares.
But sadly, no lyricism or deep philosophy or artistic revelations are likely to come from the green fairy living in our liquor cabinet.
