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?
People can make informed decisions about the type of drink and their drinking quantity as all commercial alcoholic drinks indicate alcohol content in them.
A hydrometer is used to measure the alcohol content. A thermometer is attached with a hydrometer. When the hydrometer is put in liquid it floats upright. One can see the water line to be moving at the level marked 1 after putting it in water.000, if it is put in sugared water the level will be higher because the water is denser. The float moves lower when the hydrometer is put in fermenting alcohol. While preparing alcohol the first measurement (original gravity) is taken with the sugar before the yeast is added and then the final calculation is done after the yeast has finished fermenting.
Following formula is used to know about volume of alcohol
The calculation of alcohol content can be done by the formula, Original gravity – Final gravity x 131 = Alcohol by volume.
Label is used for the alcohol by volume content of drinks in the EU and the United States but a few countries uses the proof. 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)
One can get 53% abv (106 proof) in La Clandestine Absinthe
According to the studies Sebor contains 55% abv
One can get 60% abv in Pere Kermanns
One can get 68% abv in Pernod Absinthe
Mari Mayans Collectors 70 contains 70% abv (140 proof) of alcohol
Suggestions For La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
The alcohol content in La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise is 68% abv (136 proof)
Knowledge of La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
La Fee Parisian contains 68% abv of alcohol
One can get 53% abv (106 proof) of alcohol content in Kubler 53
Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or 65% abv (130 proof)
The alcohol content is found to be 75% abv in Roquette 1797
Jade PF 1901 contains 68% abv or 136 proof of alcohol volume
The alcohol content in Jade Edouard is 72% abv (144 proof)
Ideas about 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
Alcohol in beer tends to be 4 or 5% by volume.
One can get Table Wine with 9-12% alcohol by volume.
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!
Homemade Absinthes cannot have the same alcohol content. An Absinthe essence can be mixed from AbsintheKit.com.A person can see a great difference in the alcohol content of Absolut vodka and the Everclear.
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. Consumption of enough amount of any liquor can be dangerous to health. People in Memphis have realized this and in 2006 Memphis was the city that drank the least alcohol in the USA.
One should definitely know about the alcohol content in Absinthe and other alcohol that is consumed by the people.