Absinthe glass

Absinthe glass is a type of drinkware specifically designed for serving and consuming absinthe, a highly alcoholic, anise-flavored spirit that originated in Switzerland.

History

The use of absinthe glasses dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during the Belle Époque period in France, when absinthe was at the height of its popularity. The glasses were an integral part of the traditional absinthe ritual, which involved the slow dripping of water into a measure of absinthe to create a cloudy, opalescent mixture known as the "louche".

Design

Absinthe glasses are typically clear to allow the drinker to observe the color change during the louching process. They are often marked with a line or a bulge to indicate the correct amount of absinthe to pour before adding water. Some glasses also feature a reservoir at the bottom to hold the absinthe separate from the water.

Types

There are several types of absinthe glasses, each with its own unique design and purpose. These include the Pontarlier glass, the Reservoir glass, and the Cordon glass. The Pontarlier glass, named after the French town of Pontarlier, is the most traditional and widely recognized style of absinthe glass.

Usage

To use an absinthe glass, absinthe is first poured into the glass up to the line or into the reservoir. A sugar cube is then placed on an absinthe spoon and water is slowly dripped onto the sugar cube, which dissolves and drips into the absinthe, causing it to louche.

See also

• Absinthe spoon
• Absinthe fountain
• History of absinthe