Introducing Sirène Absinthe Verte
Our latest product will be arriving in stores next week, and we're very excited to share this creation with you. Read on for details!
Absinthe Myth & Mystery
What's true, what isn't? Many rumors and stories surround absinthe, we'll explain a few of them here.
Absinthe Cocktails
We've pulled out some classic drinks that highlight Sirène's complex, intriguing flavor profile.
Upcoming Events and Outings
Including spring cocktail seminars, mixology classes, cocktail tastings and more... read on!
April 2008 News
Is Absinthe Legal?
True absinthe is coming back onto the market in the U.S., but the law did not change. Rather, the U.S. government clarified how they determine whether a spirit violates their ban on thujone.
Absinthe's name derives from the botanical name of grand wormwood, artemisia absinthium. Wormwood contains thujone.
The traditional trinity of botanicals used in absinthe are anise, fennel and wormwood. Others are also common, including melissa and hyssop.
Is Absinthe Hallucinogenic?
Historically, people thought the thujone in absinthe caused hallucinations or other psychotropic effects. Thujone is a toxic substance in large quantities. However, genuine absinthes do not contain large amounts of thujone. They are very high in alcohol (Sirène is 60% alcohol, and some are higher). The alcohol will affect you long before you ingest too much thujone. The typical experience is more one of mental clarity and calmness.
Like the sirens of Greek mythology, Sirène will tempt you. (FYI, it's pronounced Seeh-REHN, it's French for siren). Sirène has a beautiful, nuanced aroma and flavor, embodying the rich tradition and history of absinthe.
Absinthe has always been a favorite spirit of ours, first as a curiosity on our world travels, then as a fascination. We have tasted many variations and have been working on our own recipe for years. Now that is possible to actually introduce one to the market, we are excited to share this incredible absinthe with you.
Creating Sirène
We take a very traditional approach in making Sirène. We use the traditional trinity of absinthe ingredients (anise, fennel and grand wormwood) along with a proprietary blend of additional herbs and spices. The process requires a significant amount of time, preparation and botanicals, but the result is worth the effort.
Enjoying Sirène Absinthe
Absinthe is traditionally enjoyed with a cold water drip, and we love drinking Sirène that way. We recommend a ratio of 3:1 (water to absinthe) at most.
Being avid mixologists, we also have some fun and savory cocktail recipes with it as well. Visit our Cocktail Repository and look below for some favorite recipes with Sirène.
Upcoming Events
Friday, Apr 25, 6-8 pm
Spring cocktail tasting at The Full Slab in Grayslake. Join us for samples of some new cocktail ideas. Why not stay for dinner too - its great BBQ!
Thursday, May 1, 7.30-9 pm
Spring Cocktail Seminar at Antioch Fine Wine & Liquor. Join Sonja and her mixologist friend, Angie Jackson, for a fun cocktail making & tasting class. We'll use a variety of spirits (including North Shore of course, but also rum, tequila, etc.) and sample some new cocktail ideas, with a bit of technique thrown in too. $10 per person, call the store for reservations (847.395.3540)
Friday, May 16, 6.30-8 pm
Spring Cocktail Class at Binny's Beverage Depot in Chicago (South Loop Location). Join Sonja and her mixologist friend, Angie Jackson, for a fun cocktail making & tasting class. We'll use a variety of spirits (including North Shore of course, but also rum, tequila, etc.) and sample some new cocktail ideas, with a bit of technique thrown in too. $10 per person, call the store for reservations (312.768.4400)
Cocktail Pairing Dinners
This summer, we're pairing up with some of the best restaurants in the Chicago area. We'll have a one-night-only menu of food & matching cocktails, designed by their accomplished chefs and mixologists. Our first one is on Thursday, May 29th at Vie Restaurant in Western Springs - mark your calendars now and keep an eye on our event website for details!
Dixie Cocktail*
¾ oz Distiller's Gin No. 6
½ oz Sirčne Absinthe Verte
½ oz Dry Vermouth (Vya)
2 dashes Grenadine
2 tbsp. fresh Orange Juice
Shake all ingredients well with ice, strain into a small cocktail glass. Garnish with orange twist.
The Monkey Gland**
1½ oz Distiller's Gin No. 6
1½ oz fresh Orange Juice
1 tsp Grenadine
1 tsp plus 1 dash of Sirčne Absinthe Verte
Shake all ingredients well with ice, strain into a small cocktail glass.
*From House & Gardens Drink Guide, ed. by Collette Richardson.
**From Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails, by Ted Haigh.
With an absinthe drip, a sugar cube and spoon is optional. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not traditional to light the cube or the spirit on fire. That is a modern innovation from Eastern Europe that was not common in the 1800's and early 1900's.
You can see some photos and get more information on enjoying absinthe here.
You can't make proper absinthe at home with one of the kits sold on the internet, distillation through a still is a required step.
North Shore Distillery is the first and only artisanal distillery in Illinois. We have a passion for spirits, and for developing creative new products. Learn more about us on northshoredistillery.com. We hope you enjoy our products!