Let’s face it, you’ve got to love a spirit that comes with its own accessories. And Absinthe has those in abundance.
Called Absinthiana these tools, accessories, and accoutrements are all part of the absinthe ritual.
So whether you are talking about ornate spoons, water drips, glasses or sauces, these are all accoutrements that will help your green fairy fly.
So while none of these accessories is strictly necessary for your enjoyment of Absinthe, each plays a role in the tradition and ritual associated with the spirit.
It’s all about the ‘louching’
No matter what type of accessory, the one thing they all have in common is that their aim is to enable louching.
What is louching, you ask. It is the slow adding of water and sugar to absinthe. By doing this, you mellow out the rough, high-proof edges of the spirit, which allows more of its herbaceous and anise qualities to shine through. During the process, the absinthe transforms from clear or green into a milky, opalescent liquid.
Absinthe spoon
The role of the spoon is to hold the sugar above the glass as you pour the water as you louche. They usually have a notch or bump between the handle and the bowl so that the spoon can rest on the lip of the glass.
Often considered works of art, the bowls of the spoons are often flat but are adorned with grille slots that are intended to be suspended over the centre of the glass.
Absinthe Fountains
An absinthe fountain actually contains the water that is used for touching. It is designed to release the water in slow, controlled drips.
Typically fountains are ornate vessels that contain water in a central chamber with a number of spigots extending Absinthe Water Drips.
Absinthe fountain pours are generally regulated on the interior to drip rather than truly pour or spout. Absinthe fountains are perfect for special occasions and absinthe parties and can accommodate as many as ten first-time or sophisticated absinthe drinkers.
Absinthe Glasses
The earliest absinthe glasses were ordinary water glasses of the type in which water, wine, lemonade or iced tea were served in bistros.
Over time, specific Absinthe glassware evolved the aim of which was to allow the servers to easily pour the correct amount of absinthe.
Although available in different styles and sizes, they are more often than not a stout, fluted glass with a reservoir above the short stem and a demarcation indicating the height of a pour.
Absinthe Saucers
Typically made of porcelain, Absinthe saucers are the perfect size to fit the bottom of an absinthe glass.
Very much a practical accessory, the saucers had a duel purpose. Sometimes known as Absinthe coasters, they protected the wooden tables from water damage from the glasses.
They were also referred to as French tip trays, as the colour of the saucer indicated the price of absinthe being served.
