Alcohol Content In Absinthe
Posted: November 23rd, 2009 | Category: Food and DrinkThere 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 in the measurement of alcohol content. A hydrometer is available with a thermometer attached to it. The hydrometer floats upright in the liquid. When it is put in water, the water line will be at the level marked 1.One can see increase in the level of water when it is put in sugared water. 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.
Alcohol by volume can be checked by this formula
The calculation of alcohol content can be done by the formula, Original gravity – Final gravity x 131 = Alcohol by volume.
The EU and the United States label the alcohol by volume content of drinks whereas some other countries go on proof. Proof is near about 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 is available with 53% abv
According to the studies Sebor contains 55% abv
The alcohol content is 60% in Pere Kermanns
One can get 68% abv in Pernod Absinthe
The alcohol content is found to be 70% abv (140 proof) in Mari Mayans Collectors 70
Suggestions For La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise contains 68% abv (136 proof) of alcohol
What is La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
The alcohol content in La Fee Parisian is 68% abv (136 proof)
The alcohol by volume is 53% abv (106 proof) in Kubler 53
One can get 65% abv alcohol content in Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or
The alcohol content in Roquette 1797 is 75% abv
Jade PF 1901 68% abv (136 proof)
Jade Edouard 72% abv (144 proof)
Going through 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.
Alcohol by volume in Table Wine is 9-12%.
One can get 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof) in Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky.
Everclear 95% abv (190 proof)
No other alcoholic drink seems to come close to Absinthe!
There can be differences in alcohol content of homemade Absinthes. A person can mix an Absinthe essence from AbsintheKit.com.There is a great difference in alcohol content between Absolut vodka and 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. The claims about Absinthe has been totally wrong but there can be risk to health because of over dose of any drink. People in Memphis have realized this and in 2006, Memphis was the least alcohol consuming city in the USA – many Memphis citizens had not even drunk a sip of alcohol in at least a month when they were polled.
One should definitely know about the alcohol content in Absinthe and other alcohol that is consumed by the people.