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05 14th, 2008| 
The revival of absinthe in the United States has been quite the interesting turn of events. Banned for so long, it’s built up a reputation in many minds that it’s too dangerous to imbibe. But in the last year or so, I’ve heard that there are a couple of brands of absinthe now being sold.
I think my favorite thing about absinthe (having never actually drank it), is the association I have of it with secrets, underground societies, and the era of flappers. I imagine a sophisticated group of men and women, similar to those described in numerous novels by F. Scott Fitzgerald (The Great Gatsby and This Side of Paradise come to mind), gathering in big mansions, dressed to the nines, philosophizing and charming each other. Oh, the Jazz Age!
Now that it’s back, I feel proper respect and attention needs to be paid to this mystical and exotic drink. I would serve it in a dark bar, called the Absinthe Shop, with dark woods, rich leathers, jazz music playing, and really making a production out of the ritual of preparing and drinking it. Doesn’t that sound lovely?
Then I hear of those young Hollywood celebs partaking of the drink and it just kind of crashes my imagination. Intellectual stimulation and talk of creative works just doesn’t fit with what I see those young men and women doing. But perhaps the flappers were far more scandalous in their day than they seem now, too.