
Thujone can cause convulsions and even death in high enough concentrations.

The drink gets its hallucinogenic reputation from the chemical thujone, which occurs naturally in the drink. The effects of absinthe as portrayed in Moulin Rouge. But is absinthe really a hallucinogen - or are its effects exaggerated? Anyone who has seen Moulin Rouge knows about La Fée Verte (the green fairy) and the spirit’s allegedly hallucinogenic properties. Those are the basics of the spirit, but the drink’s allure comes from how it makes people feel. So, if someone hates black licorice, he recommends something else. While absinthe doesn’t taste exactly like black licorice, the flavor is said to be somewhat similar. “The first thing I ask people is, ‘How do you feel about black licorice?'” noted Matt Johnson, who owns a bar in Portland, Oregon. The anise is an important ingredient - it gives the drink its distinctive taste. Absinthe verte gets its famous Tinkerbell-green color from those herbs. Traditionally, absinthe is made from a white grape-based spirit, wormwood, anise, fennel, and some other herbs.

The spirit comes in two forms: absinthe verte (which is green) and absinthe blanc (which is white). Wikimedia Commons Aside from being strong, absinthe can also be deceptively sweet - perhaps making it even more powerful.Īt its most basic, absinthe is a spirit with very high alcohol content - generally between 110 and 144 proof.
