Is absinthe bitter or sweet?

Question

Hello there.

I'm writing a short story and one of the characters drinks absinthe. I know about the 'ritual', but I haven't tried it for myself and don't think many bars around here would be able to prepare it: so what is the taste like?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

(with water) It's slightly bitter, slightly sweet (if you like anise, which is similar to black licorice). If you add sugar, it'll be more sweet, obviously. Absinthe made with a lot of wormwood is very bitter because wormwood is bitter. Those are not considered good absinthes, and usually only sell because people think it will make them hallucinate, which it won't.

Answer 2

umm... licorice.. pastis... pastis was made to imitate the taste of absinthe... anise seed.

Answer 3

bitter, and a tiny bit like licorice (anise)

part of the reason for the ritual is to add sugar to cut the bitterness

Answer 4

tastes like licorice but they use sugar crystals in the ritual preparation....

Answer 5

Most modern day absinthes are sweeter than the original. The wormwood content has been lowered. Originally absinthe was a curative potion and not an aperitif. The tradition of adding sugared water through an absinthe spoon is pretty telling.

I guess it depends it depends in what period the story is set.

"Absinthe, according to the Century Dictionary, is ‘the common name of a highly aromatic liqueur of an opaline-green color and bitter taste,‘ and is prepared by ‘steeping in alcohol or strong spirit bitter herbs,’ the chief of them being wormwood" 1894

Answer 6

Bitter