Post #565843 by Mr. Moto on Sat, Nov 20, 2010 5:53 AM

The Death in the Afternoon cocktail was indeed invented Ernest Hemingway; it first appeared in print as his contribution to a book of celebrity cocktail recipes published in 1935 and it's named after a book he wrote in 1932 on bullfighting entitled Death in the Afternoon. Supposedly he invented it one afternoon aboard a fishing boat that had been swamped on a sandbar by a storm. Absinthe makes an appearance in a number of his novels and short stories too, by the way.

It's a delicious drink, but beware: it's highly intoxicating. I rarely drink more that 1-2 at a time. Interesting idea using the traditional preparation method and substituting champagne for water. Never tried it that way. Hemingway's original recipe reads: "Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five (!) of these slowly." I typically use 1/2 oz. of absinthe and top with champagne; I find that more absinthe overwhelms the drink if you're using a traditional champagne flute. I'd also recommend using a sweeter absinthe; I've tried it with Lucid once or twice and wasn't impressed with the results, though it might not be bad with sugar added. My current favorite is Delaware Phoenix Meadow of Love, which presents with notes of candied anise and violets.

And if I may, here's a recipe of my own that you might enjoy. It's a variation on Hemingway's drink:

Death at Dawn

1 oz. blanche (white, or clear) absinthe (I use La Clandestine, but Kubler would work)
1/2 oz. St Germain Elderflower liqueur
2 large slices fresh, ripe white peach
2-3 oz. chilled Rose champagne

Muddle the peach in a mixing glass. Add absinthe, elderflower liqueur, and ice. Shake well. Strain (or double strain if you don't like peach puree floating in your drink) into a champagne flute and top with rose champagne. Enjoy!

Torch Guy, regarding your question about absinthe fountains, I'd recommend Absinthe Devil, an online vendor of absinthe accessories. I've dealt with them many times in the past (I bought my own fountain from them several years ago) and have always been impressed with their service:

http://www.absinthedevil.com/Absinthe_Fountains_s/3.htm

They have some nice glass fountains that are fairly inexpensive (they start at $49.95). Also, they have sales several times a year (anywhere from 10-30% off) that you can take advantage of if you register at the site and sign up to receive their e-mail updates. Hope this helps!