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 according to their alcohol content which makes people able to decide about the drink and also about the quantity of consuming them.
A hydrometer is used to measure the alcohol content. One can get a hydrometer with a thermometer attached to it. The hydrometer floats upright in the liquid. When it is put in water, the water line will move towards the level marked 1.When it is put in sugared water the level increases because the water becomes denser. As the sugar is eaten by the yeast when the hydrometer is used in fermenting alcohol the float moves lower. 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.
Following formula is used to know about volume of alcohol
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. Studies show that proof is approximately twice 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)
The alcohol content is found to be 55% in Sebor
Pere Kermanns 60% abv (120 proof)
The alcohol content is found to be 68% abv in Pernod Absinthe
Mari Mayans Collectors 70 70% abv (140 proof)
Suggestions For 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)
The alcohol content is 68% abv in La Fee Parisian
The alcohol content is found to be 53% abv in Carte D’Or Kubler 53
Research shows that Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or contains 65% abv alcohol
The availibility of alcohol content in Roquette 1797 is 75% abv
Jade PF 1901 68% abv (136 proof)
Jade Edouard contains 72% abv (144 proof) of alcohol
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)
Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila 38% abv (76 proof)
Beer is available with 4 or 5% alcohol by volume.
There is 9-12% alcohol by volume in Table Wine.
Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof).
Everclear 95% abv (190 proof)
No other alcoholic drink seems to come close to Absinthe!
One can find differences in alcohol content of homemade Absinthes. One person might mix an Absinthe essence from AbsintheKit.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. Any liquor can be harmful to health if drunk in heavy amount. 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.
However alcohol is not harmful when drunk in moderation but it is necessary to have know about alcohol content in Absinthe and other alcoholic drinks.