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Absinthe Frappe Cocktail Recipe

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Last Updated on June 10, 2023 by Leah Hall

This Absinthe Frappe recipe was invented at the Old Absinthe House bar in New Orleans in 1874 by Cayetano Ferrer. A simple, strong cocktail, but bright and refreshing for summer, this one is a classic for a reason.

 

The classic Absinthe Frappe is a refreshing mix of absinthe, mint and soda water!  The Absinthe Frappe is an absinthe drink that’s great for cooling down on a hot summer day for sure. It makes an alternative to the traditional method of absinthe preparation with an ice water drip.

 

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Cocktail being strained into tall cocktail glass filled with crushed ice

 

The Absinthe Frappe, which rose in popularity during prohibition, this mint infused version was particularly popular during the morning hours. Yeah, the morning! A morning pick me up.

 

It does pack a bit of a punch just because of to the high proof of most absinthe, but the crushed ice and water take the edge off of the strongest flavors. We added bit of effervescence with the soda water, but you can add still water to take off that absinthe edge.

Cocktail being strained into tall cocktail glass filled with crushed ice

Traditional Absinthe Preparation

True absinthe is bitter, even verging on unpleasant. If you are in reach of a bottle, there are two ways to approach absinthe. There’s the ritual method which is as follows.

1)  pour an ounce or so of absinthe into a short stem absinthe glass.

2) lay your spade shaped, perforated absinthe spoon over the glass.

3) place one sugar cube on it, drip cold water through the sugar until the glass is full and the sugar crumbly. The absinthe will get all cloudy as you pour.

4) dump the sugar into the glass and stir with the spoon until dissolved.

 

Absinthe Frappe

But, we think the frappe is the way to go. It really is a more sophisticated way of drinking absinthe, but just be prepared for the strong and boozy flavors. You have to like anise a LOT. Just as a forewarning. Think black licorice.

 

Muddling the lemon with the simple syrup, adds in some citrus oils along with the juice that better balance the drink, rather than just adding lemon juice.

liquid being poured from jigger into tall cocktail glass with crushed ice with Absinthe Frappe cocktail

History of Absinthe in the US

When absinthe first arrived in the United States from Europe/Spain in the 1800s, it was an instant hit, especially in boozy New Orleans where a number of absinthe based classics, were born.

 

The Department of Agriculture banned absinthe in 1912. Whether this was due to the wormwood infusion’s harmful physical effects (it is 120-proof), plus it had a reputation as a mild hallucinogen, we don’t know. It was perceived that poisoning, hallucinations or death would come with drinking absinthe.

liquid being poured from jigger into tall cocktail glass with crushed ice with Absinthe Frappe cocktail

Up until recently, it was just historical sip of alcohol. About the only place it was legal was Spain, but they weren’t exporting any. Then came the European Economic Community, which said it shouldn’t be banned anymore. So, now there are dozens of brands on the market, most not as strong in proof, and all lacking in thujone, which in lack of better terms is the THC of absinthe. (because it had the same molecular shape as THC), but it technically isn’t.

 

Thujone

Thujone is a toxic chemical in edible plants, even in tarragon, sage and wormwood.

 

The compound was found after absinthe became popular in the 19th century. Dr Valentin Magnan studied alcoholism, tested pure wormword oil on animals and found out it did cause seizures that were different from alcohol effects. Because absinthe had a small amount of wormwood oil, it was assumed to be worse than other alcohols.

liquid being poured into tall cocktail glass with crushed ice

Return of Absinthe

As a result of the ban, Pernod and Herbsaint was substituted for Absinthe in most cocktails, and still can if you can’t get your hands on any.

 

It was “unbanned” in 2008, and distilleries in the US started making their own, as well. Many New Orleans bars went back to the real thing, as a lot of New Orleans cocktails use it, classics such as the Ramos Gin Fizz, Vieux Carre, or the Sazerac.

 

Absinthe is however, a very high proof liquor at 55-70% ABV! For comparison, an average bottle of booze  is around 40-50% ABV.

Light yellow cocktail in tall glass with crushed ice, mint garnish and mint in blue vase

Absinthe Frappe Song

And for sure, not every cocktail has a show tune written about it, but the Absinthe Frappé does.  In 1904, the Broadway musical “It Happened in Nordland” the lyrics to tune, “Absinthe Frappe” One of the verses is: “It will free you first from the burning thirst That is born of a night of the bowl, Like a sun ’twill rise through the inky skies That so heavily hang o’er your soul. At the first cool sip on your fevered lip You determine to live through the day, Life’s again worthwhile as with a dawning smile You imbibe your Absinthe frappé! ” 

 

Pretty cool.

What absinthe should I use?

There are now a fairly wide variety of absinthe available in the US. One of our personal favorites is St. George, from Alameda, California. Their St. George Absinthe Verte is the first legal American absinthe released after the ban was lifted in 2007, and remains one of the most acclaimed and respected spirits in this category.

 

Whatever brand you choose, choose a quality bottle with no artificial green coloring. Absinthe is somewhat expensive. But, consider that one bottle will typically last a long time and help you make many classic cocktails like a Corpse Reviver #2, and Toronto. If you love the classics like we do, a bottle of absinthe is a great home bar investment for you!

Absinthe Frappe in tall glass with crushed ice and mint garnish, mint in blue vase behind

Absinthe Frappe

The combo of great flavors in this drink is added with some simple syrup and the fresh lemon wedge being muddled, as well as fresh mint. This gives a great scent to the drink, in addition to the strong anise flavors of the absinthe.

 

Topped with soda water, this effervescent classic cocktail is a must make!

 

We hope you try this classic cocktail, the Absinthe Frappe, and try out the strong flavors at least once!

 

Cheers!

 

Also, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and tag #gastronomcocktails so we can see all the wonderful recipes YOU recreate from this site!

 

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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!

Southside cocktail in coupe with mint bunch on top, blue vase with mint in backgroundSouthside Cocktail

 

Cucumber cooler cocktail with glass lined by cucumber slices, mint garnishCucumber Cooler

 

Other Absinthe Cocktails

liquid being poured from jigger into tall cocktail glass with crushed ice with Absinthe Frappe cocktail
Yield: 1

Absinthe Frappe Cocktail Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

This classic cocktail, the Absinthe Frappe is full of anise flavor, mint and lemon!

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Muddle mint and lemon wedge in a cocktail shaker. Add absinthe, simple syrup and ice.
  2. Shake to combine.
  3. Pour over crushed ice in a tall glass.
  4. Top with soda water.
  5. Garnish with mint and lime, if desired.
  6. Cheers!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 137Carbohydrates: 11.9g

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