Post #38008 by cynfulcynner on Sun, Jun 8, 2003 9:47 PM

Here's a recipe for bathtub absinthe, from a recent issue of Bust. The fine print (included below) says "Don't try this at home!"

1 liter high proof vodka
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup dried wormwood (do not use wormwood oil)
6 tbsp lemon juice
5 tbsp chopped angelica root
4 tbsp star anise
1 tbsp each: fennel seeds, coriander seeds, hyssop, orange flower water
1/2 tbsp each: cardamom seeds, tarragon, marjarom, melissa (lemon balm), cloves
1 stick cinnamon
1 whole nutmeg clove

Combine vodka, wormwood, and sugar in a glass jar. Let soak for 48 hours. Strain, squeezing alll the liquid out of the wormwood. Add the remaining ingredients. Let the mixture soak for a week. Strain.

To serve:
Pour absinthe into a glass. Place a sugar cube atop a flat, perforated spoon. Drip water slowly over the sugar cube, then light on fire and dump into the glass. Blow out the flames. Stir rapidly. Indulge.

Disclaimer:
This recipe is presented for educational purposes only. No warning, express or implied, is given that this recipe is legal, healthy, or even tastes good. BUST Inc is not liable for how this information is used. Use of any information is at your own risk. Reported side effects of thujone [the chemical in wormwood that gives absinthe its kick] and wormwood are nausea, vomiting, insomnia, restlessness, vertigo, tremors and seizures. Large doses of thujone have been found to cause delirium, convulsions, seizures, paralysis, brain damage, renal failure and death. Do not take if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. As with any alcoholic beverage, please drink responsibly.