There has been much controversy regarding the thujone levels in Absinthe and whether Absinthe can really make you hallucinate but what about its alcohol content – How much alcohol is in Absinthe?
All commercial alcoholic drinks are labeled to show their alcohol content which makes easy for people to decide about the drink and also the quantity of intaking them.
Alcohol content is measured by using a hydrometer. A hydrometer looks partially like a fishing float with a thermometer attached. The direction of hydrometer is upright when put in liquid. When it is put in water, the water line will move towards the level marked 1.000, if it is put in sugared water the level will be higher because the water is denser. In the fermenting alcohol the float moves lower due to use of hydrometer. There is done two measurements of alcohol, one is taken with the sugar but before the yeast is added and then the final reading is taken after the fermentation of yeast.
One can detect the volume of alcohol by the following formula
The calculation of alcohol content can be done by the formula, Original gravity – Final gravity x 131 = Alcohol by volume.
The alcohol by volume content of drinks is shown by label both in the EU and the US. One can find proof to be approximately two times more alcohol by volume.
Different brands of Absinthe have different alcohol contents. Look at the following statistics:-
Lucid Absinthe 62% abv (124 proof)
La Clandestine Absinthe contains 53% abv (106 proof)
According to the studies Sebor contains 55% abv
Pere Kermanns 60% abv (120 proof)
The alcohol content is found to be 68% abv in Pernod Absinthe
Mari Mayans Collectors 70 is available with 70% abv (140 proof) of alcohol
Tips about La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
The alcohol content is found to be 68% abv (136 proof) in La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise
Knowledge of La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
La Fee Parisian contains 68% abv of alcohol
The alcohol content is found to be 53% abv in Carte D’Or Kubler 53
Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or 65% abv (130 proof)
The alcohol content in Roquette 1797 is 75% abv
One can get 68% abv of alcohol volume in Jade PF 1901
The alcohol content in Jade Edouard is 72% abv (144 proof)
What is Jade Verte Suisse 65% abv (130 proof)
Jade Nouvelle Orleans 68% abv (136 proof)
As you can see Absinthe can range from 53% abv to 75% abv, quite a difference. Now, let’s compare those levels to other alcoholic drinks:-
Absolut Blue Vodka 40% abv (80 proof)
One can get 38% abv (76 proof) in Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
Beer can have 4 or 5% alcohol by volume.
One can get Table Wine with 9-12% alcohol by volume.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky is available with 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof).
Everclear 95% abv (190 proof)
No other alcoholic drink seems to come close to Absinthe!
The alcohol content can differ in homemade Absinthes. A person can mix an Absinthe essence from AbsintheKit.com.One can either use Absolut vodka (40% abv) or the Everclear (95% abv) .
Absinthe was banned in the 1900s because of claims that thujone, the chemical in wormwood, was like THC in the drug cannabis and that it was psychoactive and caused psychedelic effects. We now know that claims that Absinthe is an hallucinogen are completely false but we do need to remember that any liquor can be harmful to our health if we consume too much. People in Memphis have realized this and, in 2006, Memphis was the city that drank the least alcohol in the USA – more than 6/10 Memphis citizens had not even consumed a sip of alcohol in at least a month when they were polled.
Although alcohol does not harm if consumed in balanced amount but people should be familiar about how much alcohol is in Absinthe and other alcoholic drinks.
