What in the world is an ‘absinthe ritual?’ And why does this vintage postcard drinker look so enamoured with his glass? Absinthe held a unique position in the pantheon of aperitifs because it was imbibed in a highly specific manner.
A sugar cube (as seen on this colorful vintage poster) was set upon a perforated spoon which was then placed on top of the glass. Ice water was slowly poured onto the sugar cube. This diluted the bitter green herbed spirit in a very personal manner.
5 o’clock became known as L’Heure Vert (The Green Hour). Loyal absinthe drinkers rushed to their local café to order this strong treat with wormwood!
Absinthe pops up in the famous works of Vincent van Gogh, Edouard Manet, Amedeo Modigliani, Arthur Rimbaud, Guy de Maupassant, Henri de Toulouse - Latrec, Paul Verlaine, Pablo Picasso, Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemmingway...
Understanding the absinthe ritual helps one grasp the true feeling of 19th century French art, literature, and culture and it's tabus.
Please subscribe here to my cpaphil - vintage postcard blog. Ohlala, I can't wait to see you again!