"Travel On the Absinthe Trail in France and Switzerland"...
 

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/06/tr...rail.html?_r=0

Interesting article in NY Times Sunday Travel Section this last Sunday - about taking the new "Asinthe Trail" thru eastern France and neighboring Switzerland where the Green Fairy, as absinthe was dubbed long ago when it was fashionable, in the late 1880s with folks like Van Gogh, but was later banned - or at least its psychoactive ingredient that then was thought to bring on madness if drunk too much was banned.

But as of 2011 absinthe - authentic absinthe, became legal once more in Europe and the traditional absinthe with its key wormwood (? not sure about that) ingredient once more in the drink - making it something special.

So especially if driving or biking you can wend your way along the absinthe trail - just don't get lost or fall down any rabbit holes as after drinking enough of this stuff you will know that you are not in Kansas anymore!

anyone drank the newly legalized absinthe? Anyone been to places on the absinthe trail?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe

And you need not travel to the Absinthe Trail to taste today's Green Fairy - rather you can sample it in cafes all over Europe - for something different try absinthe!

I had been investigating the resurging absinthe culture this summer. Was tickled to learn that one of the older cafes in Switzerland, Der gruene Fee, in Solothurn offers it! As luck will have it, I am booked in an apt in Solothurn this September. I want to try it! Do you know of it is more commonly drunk at lunch or in the evening? Does it matter? Have you yourself tried it Pal?

Well, I answered one question myself...Die Gruene Fee bar/bistro is only OPEN from 5 pm onwards, Wednesday thru Saturday, so, no lunchtime experimentation.

At the extremely high proofs of absinthe, I'd recommend limiting your intake to evening. It has an intriguing and complex flavor. The hallucinogenic effects are the stuff of legend, and legend they remain. It's booze, not mescaline.

<<anyone drank the newly legalized absinthe?>>

Not in France or Switzerland, but I've had it in Australia.

There's an Australian-produced absinthe called Moulin Rooz, complete with absinthe sipping 'roo on the label, bottle neatly tucked into pouch. Leave it to the Aussies.

http://www.tamborinemountaindistille...t_absinthe.htm

Have you yourself tried it Pal?>

Not yet but smacking my lips now to do it - forgot about it being legalized in 2011. Bottoms up! Too bad it's mind-boggling legacy is an urban myth!

I wonder how the price compares to oh-so-expensive liquor...?