Choosing Absinthe Accessories
How To Choose Your First Absinthe Glass, Spoon & Fountain
Welcome to the wonderful world of Absinthe and the Green Fairy! If you are new to this beautiful place, we will help you discover all of her deepest secrets. First, we will help you understand the absinthe accessories you will need to enjoy the art of the Louche.
Absinthe Spoon Styles
Absinthe spoons are used to hold the sugar cube in place as you drip water into your glass. (Also See Absinthe Fountains) Spoons are available in many different and beautiful styles. Most new absintheurs choose their first spoon as a reflection of their personality. Absinthe Spoon styles vary in complexity and design with the most unique styles and designs costing more. The most popular available finishes are chrome, stainless steel, silver and gold. If you plan on trying the flaming method, I suggest a chrome or stainless finish. Some of the most beautiful spoons are Premium Gold Finish Absinthe Spoons. Another suggestion for a first spoon is to find a medium to long spoon. The reason being you can use any spoon on a small glass but you cannot use a shorter spoon on a large glass. As your collection grows, you can try shorter spoons and some of the more exotic finishes (silver, gold etc.). An alternative to the absinthe spoon is the Absinthe Grille. Some absintheurs prefer the grille as it better holds the sugar cube while dripping.
Absinthe Glass Styles
Absinthe glasses also come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. The main categories include:
Blown Or Molded Absinthe Glasses
Mouth Blown Absinthe Glasses are more delicate, lighter in weight and tend to cost more. Although they are thinner and lighter, they can still be as rugged as molded glass. When buying Blown Absinthe Glasses, look for crystal or borosilicate glass as these tend to be very strong. Molded absinthe glasses are thicker and heavier and are usually much less expensive than blown glass. Molded glasses are also very rugged and hold up well for commercial purposes.
Absinthe Glasses With Reservoir or Dose Line
Some Absinthe glasses have a reservoir or small "bowl" at the bottom of the glass. There are also absinthe glasses with a line molded into or drawn on the glass. Absinthe Glasses with Reservoirs or Dose Lines are used to measure your dose of absinthe. They usually measure between 1 and 1.5 ounces. This is of course just an approximation. You may prefer more or less absinthe. Absinthe is usually mixed 1:3 to 1:5 with water
The Absinthe Dripper: Click On Links Above To See Styles Of Drippers
When you use your absinthe spoon, you slowly drip water over the spoon into the glass using a carafe or pitcher. This can be difficult and time consuming. An absinthe Dripper is a small bowl with a tiny hole in it. You place the bowl on top of your glass and fill it with water and it slowly adds the water to the glass for you. The next step up from a dripper is the fountain. See Fountain or Fountains
The Absinthe Sipping Pipe: Click On Links Above To See Pipes
Absinthe Sipping Pipes are used to drink absinthe straight. They are small glass "pipes" that are filled with absinthe and sipped. They generally hold about 2-3 ounces. You can also louche your absinthe in the sipping pipe. They are a great way to limit your consumption.
The Absinthe Fountain: Click here to see fountain styles
www.theabsinthefountain.com
The absinthe fountain is the centerpiece of any absintheur's collection. Fountains are the most expensive piece in your collection. There are 2 basic styles of fountains:
All Glass Absinthe Fountains are often used by those who need to have a portable fountain as they are lighter than the metal style fountain. Glass fountains are also less expensive and require very little maintenance. Glass fountains come with 1,2,4 or 6 spouts.
Metal & Glass Absinthe Fountains are generally much heavier and more difficult to transport than a glass fountain. They are more expensive and require cleaning and maintenance. Depending on the finish of the fountain (nickel, silver,gold) polishing may be required.
Absinthe Fountain Sets are available that include everything you need to have an absinthe party. These sets include the fountain, glasses and spoons. They are a great way to save money by purchasing everything at once as a set.