absinthe

Le louche refers to the transformation that happens when water is added to absinthe, turning the liquor from a deep green to a milky, iridescent shade. At left, a classic pour. At right, an absinthe glass fitted with a brouilleur, a device that holds the

The Art Of Drinking Absinthe, The Liquor Of Aesthetes

by Tove Danovich

Absinthe was a favorite of artists like Picasso and Van Gogh. Perhaps that explains why a complex ritual rose around drinking it, spawning some of the most beautiful alcohol paraphernalia around.