Ordering absinthe over the internet is easy as pie, a lot of fun, and only a little risky. So don’t be a pussy!

A lot of people say to me, “Why order it on the internet when I can just go get it at the liquor store, its legal now right?” The answer is yes and no. In 2007 absinthe brands started popping up on liquor-store shelves across the country. Articles and advertisements proclaimed “Absinthe is Legal”, and “An End to Prohibition.” However, things weren’t really as they seemed. What happened was the TTB (Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau) updated policy on the use of the name “Absinthe.” Previously its use was ban from labeling and advertising of distilled spirits, but now its use is permissible given that the spirit is “thujone-free,” in compliance with FDA regulation.

Thujone comes from the grand wormwood in absinthe and is “alleged” hallucinogenic compound. Scientific research has all but disproved the early 19th century claim of psychoactive effects and absinthes containing thujone are legal across much of the world. In the EU the legal limit of thujone in spirits is 10mg/kg and if the product is labeled as a bitter the limit is 35mg/kg. There is a limit because although it’s not hallucinogenic, it’s still a drug. It will never harm you in small amounts but large doses have been known to kill lab rats. Given the regulation, you would die due to alcohol poisoning many times over in order to consume enough absinthe to be affected by thujone what-so-ever.

What’s available in the US now is considered true absinthe because it involves use of the herb of absinthes namesake, Artemisia absinthium (grand wormwood). Because of the thujone-free restriction in the US we are restricted to a limited number of absinthes that meet the FDA restriction of 10 ppm (parts per million) thujone or 10mg/kg. This doesn’t mean that they are bad, it just means that many European absinthes and "bitters", from 11-35mg/kg aren’t available for US retail purchase, thus restricting selection. Also, some of the best absinthe comes from small foreign producers that lack the resources to export large enough quantities for US distribution.

Now that that’s all cleared up let’s talk about what absinthe is. It is a distilled spirit that has been flavored and colored by the maceration of a number of herbs including but not limited to grand wormwood, green anise, and florence or sweet fennel. These ingredients lend to the ‘black licorice’ flavor of most absinthe. I personally despise black licorice but find the flavor of traditional absinthes to be quite delightful. If you just can’t handle the flavor then either you need to find a weaker absinthe or one that is anise free. Anise free absinthes can have flavors ranging from almond to candy to citrus.

Absinthe can be red, orange, yellow, blue, black, clear, and… Oh ya green. I say this for the purist or that person seeking a true experience, green is traditional, yellowish can be too, clear and blue are a Swiss style and any other color is an attempted variation or gimmick.

If you’ve experienced absinthe before and were scared by the overwhelming flavor, that’s because you did it wrong. It’s not a good idea to down it in shots like a frat-boy on Thirsty Thursday. The traditional preparation of absinthe is to dilute about one part absinthe with about two parts sugary water. With a traditional preparation you will also have what is known as a louche effect. The booze is a transparent, however when you add water to traditional absinthe it becomes cloudy and opaque.

I mentioned risk in my opening line. We scoff at risk and laugh at danger because we are booze-venture seekers! Right? The risky part of importing your own absinthe is that it is possible that it may be seized by US customs. They won’t throw you in jail or fine you but you will be out the money for the booze and the shipping. The way around this little problem is to buy from an absinthe distributor that ships product via private courier. Any reputable site should provide information about how they ship and some even offer a full refund if the package doesn’t make it to you for any reason.

If you don’t know where to buy absinthe on the internet try this, Google it. I know it sounds easy but it’s ridiculous how many people ask me how to find absinthe on the internet. Type in “order absinthe”, or “buy absinthe”, or just “absinthe” and you will find more than enough. My recommendations for trustworthy, reputable, and quality absinthe sales are Alandia World of Absinthe, and Absinthe Classics.

If you’ve been concerned or apprehensive about ordering absinthe online, man up because it’s not that big-a-deal. Do a little homework and you’ll find a huge selection of high quality booze with fair prices and relatively no risk to import. Oh, and since I'm at work slavin’ away behind a computer, have a drink for me.