I’ve been interested by the infamous ambrosia Absinthe for some time now. So, I decided to make some. I researched a recipe for the drink and took a month of my time to prepare it.
First I took wormwood, star anise/anise seed, hyssop, Calamus, angelica root, fennel seed, coriander, and some lemon balm and put it in a two-quart glass jar. Then I poured just under a litre (905 ml) of 95% ethanol (brand name Everclear) into the jar. I let this macerate for about two weeks, shaking every two or three days.
While this was taking place I constructed a crude still out of a two-litre Pyrex flask, copper tubing, a bucket, a jar and a shit load of ice.
Two days before the two weeks were up, I added 700 ml of purified water to the substance and mixed it well. Then waited for the day it was done. (I say purified because my tap water is shit.)
I distilled this substance on my stove. (VERY dangerous. I do not recommended you try this at home. A leak someone in the crude still could cause a nice explosion or fire.) It took about three hours to yield about a litre of a clear, liquorice-scented liquid. The remaining liquid in the flask was a dark brown colour and was EXTREMELY vile.
I then put the distillate into a glass jar and added more wormwood, some mint, more lemon balm, liquorice root, and lemon peel. I let that sit about another week.
Then it was done. I strained off the botanicals and bottled. (Of course, I live in a location where distillation of small quantities is legal – of course.) It was definitely absinthe. And I definitely was not drunk. It turned white with water and sugar like it should.
At first the intoxication was merely a drunk without the stupor. Though lights were a bit more distinct. Then I mixed it with some cannabis (of course, that’s legal where I live, too – of course) and the experience became all the more psychedelic. More of a mental aspect, but all the more interesting.
Over all, it was a great experience.
