How to Drink Absinthe

If you’ve already snagged a bottle of Absinthe for yourself and your friends but still have no idea what to do with it, check out Liquor.com. It’s a new site on the web with articles and posts from some esteemed contributors. Jim Meehan of NYC’s PDT (also known as the guy who cleaned up at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirits Awards last year) recently wrote a short piece entitled “An Adult’s Guide to Absinthe” (SPOILER ALERT: It doesn’t involve Red Bull).

Of course, I’m pleased to see Pernod Absinthe made mention, alongside St. George & Pontarlier, the latter being news to me. But whatever brand you’re drinking, you’d be wise to heed Mr. Meehan’s advice. He kind of knows what he’s talking about…

Winter Wonders

The countdown to spring continues here at Cocktail Culture, but Winter does have a few redeeming qualities. It makes great weather for drinking the following: Mindas Touches, Fireside Sippers, and Chrysanthemums. Curl up with a good book and one of these in your hand and you won’t be disappointed!

Fireside Sipper – drink and photo by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 part Premium Single Malt Scotch Whisky

3/4 part Hiram Walker Peach Flavored Brandy

1/8 part Hiram Walker Amaretto Liqueur

1/4 to 1/2 part Filtered Water to taste

Place liquids in a mixing glass – no ice.  Stir gently to blend.  Pour into snifter.

Chrysanthemum

2 oz. Dry Vermouth

1 1/2 oz. Benedictine

1/4 tsp. Pernod Absinthe

Stir Vermouth and Benedictine with cracked Ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Add Pernod and garnish with an orange twist (flamed, if you prefer).

Mindas Touch

1 oz. Chivas Regal 12yo

1/4 oz. Apricot and Butterscotch Syrup

1 dash Orange Bitters

Stir and serve in a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with dark chocolate shavings.

Create Something Brilliant! Quick!

Pernod Absinthe’s “Creator of” contest deadline is right around the corner- January 31^st! Want to win $1,805 (1805 for the year Pernod Absinthe was founded)? Here’s how:

To enter, submit an original work of art that somehow includes the year/number 1805. Categories include Painting, Illustration, Photography, Video, and Digital/Animation. First prize is $1,805, second place is $500, and third is $250, plus all three will be included in PR and promotion.

Your work will be judged by the likes of Jason Gaulton from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Young Hah from the Pratt Institute, Manish Vora from Artlog, Benoit Lagarde from Splashlight Studios, and Leah Taylor from Flavorpill.

If I had even the slightest bit of artistic skill I’d be on this! So please join if the think you have something to contribute and spread the word to all your artsy-fartsy friends!

For more info or to submit your piece, visit: www.facebook.com/pernodabsinthe

Drink This: January Cocktail

The holidays are over but we haven’t even hit the halfway mark on winter. Here’s a take on a Blood and Sand, just a little something to get you through one of my least favorite months–the January Cocktail.

January Cocktail

3/4 oz. Chivas Regal 12 yo
3/4 oz. Lillet Rouge
3/4 oz. Cherry Heering
3/4 oz. Passionfruit Juice

Shake ingredients in over ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.