HOW DO I CHOOSE THE ACCESSORIES THAT ARE RIGHT FOR ME?
Also See How Do I Choose Authentic Absinthe Pieces?
If you have not already read the page Preparing Your Absinthe, it would help to do so now as you will better understand this discussion:
If you are just starting
your journey into the world of Absinthe, you know how difficult it can
be choosing your first set of Absinthe accessories. So here are the
basics:
The Absinthe Spoon:
Absinthe Spoons come
in a wide variety of styles, sizes and finishes. The style you choose
is totally a personal preference and most people make a choice that
reflects their own personality. Note: As the intricacy and detail of
the spoon increase, so does the price. Concerning size, for your first
spoon I would recommend a standard size spoon that will fit most
glasses. As your collection of Absinthe accessories grows, you can add Long Spoons for wider and taller glasses and Short Spoons for smaller glasses. Absinthe Spoons come
finished in: Stainless Steel, Chrome Plated, Gold Plated and Silver
Plated. The least expensive and also the most durable finishes are
Chrome Plated and Stainless Steel. These finishes are easily cleaned
and dishwasher safe. These are the type of spoons to use if you plan on
trying the Flame Method of preparation. When you want to add a touch of class to your Ritual, you can use a Gold Plated or Silver Plated spoon.
Premium plated spoons are highly sought after by both novice
Absintheurs and experienced collectors. The plating increases the cost
of the spoon but also greatly increases it’s value and collectibility.
Premium Plated spoons can be damaged by using the Flame Ritual. At this point, I will mention the Absinthe Grille.
Grilles are used in place of a spoon. They work just as well as a spoon
and some people feel they are better at holding a sugar cube.
The Absinthe Glass:
Here again we have several styles to choose from so lets narrow it down a little. There are 4 basic styles of Absinthe Glasses: Reservoir, Bubble Reservoir, Dose Marked and Plain
(without a Dose-Mark). The style of glass that has a Reservoir or
Dose-Mark is used to assist in the mixing of water and Absinthe. The
glass is filled to the dosing line or the reservoir is filled with
Absinthe and water is used to fill the rest of the glass. Popular
reservoir style glasses include the Pontarlier and Bubble Reservoir. Popular Dose-Marked glass styles include the Grand Este, Cordon and Versaille.
The dose-mark or reservoir is only a suggestion as to how much Absinthe
to use. The plain glass has no mark to suggest the amount of Absinthe
to add. Popular styles of this glass include the Torsade, Lyonnais and Perigord.
The Absinthe Dripper:
Absinthe Drippers are the next step up from the Absinthe Spoon. When using an Absinthe spoon, water is dripped over the spoon from a Carafe or from an Absinthe Fountain. Pouring from a carafe is the classic method of adding water but becomes laborious when mixing many drinks. An Absinthe Dripper makes
mixing an Absinthe much easier. An Absinthe Dripper is a small bowl
with a tiny hole in the bottom that sits on top of the glass. It is
filled with water and slowly drips into the glass. Next to an Absinthe Fountain, a dripper is the most convenient method to add water to your Absinthe.
The Absinthe Sipping Pipe:
Absinthe Sipping Pipes are
small, 1-2 shot pipes designed to sip Absinthe straight. There are
different styles and sizes and some even come with dripper tops and
Mouth-Blown draw tubes. If you like to drink Absinthe straight, this is
the way to go. Just add crushed ice and your favorite Absinthe and
you’re all set.
The Absinthe Fountain:
Your Absinthe Fountain will
be the centerpiece of your Absinthe collection. It will be the most
expensive piece you buy. The first step in purchasing an Absinthe Fountain is
deciding whether an all Glass fountain or a Metal & Glass Fountain
is right for you. Here are the general characteristics of each:
All Glass Fountains:
-Lighter and more easily transported
-Generally less expensive than Metal and Glass models
-Available in 1, 2, 4 and 6 spout styles
-Very little maintenance required
Metal & Glass Fountains:
-Much heavier than All Glass models
-Available in different finishes. Gold Plate, Silver Plate and Nickel
-Difficult to transport
-Generally more expensive than All Glass models
-Available in 2 and 4 spout styles
-Occasional polishing (the metal) may be required
A few things about Fountains:
-Some people are afraid to purchase an All Glass Fountain because they believe they are more fragile than Metal & Glass Fountains.
This is only partially correct. If you are not careful and knock your
fountain over, you will break the glass no matter which style it is.
Rule of thumb, "Keep intoxicated people AWAY from your fountain."
-When deciding how many
spouts you need, think about how you will use it. If it is just for
you, a 1 or 2 spout fountain will be fine. If you plan on using it for
parties, a 4 or 6 spout fountain may be a better choice.
I hope these
tips will help you choose the Absinthe pieces that are right for you.
If there is something I missed, feel free to contact me at with your
questions at rodr0069@hotmail.com or 1-866-385-2074
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