On National Absinthe Day, observed each year on March 5, we celebrate the drink known as “the green fairy.” Absinthe originated in Switzerland in the 18th century and rose to popularity in early 20th century France, especially with artists and writers. The drink enjoys a mystique and is often associated with bohemian culture, making it an especially fun drink to enjoy today!
National Absinthe Day timeline
Absinthe is created by French doctor Pierre Ordinaire.
The popularity of absinthe leads to a price drop, making the elixir more accessible to all classes.
The French begin consuming a whopping 36 million liters of absinthe per year.
Following a rise in violent crimes and drug usage due to absinthe, the liquor is declared illegal in the U.S.
National Absinthe Day Activities
Go to a cocktail bar
Many cocktail bars feature absinthe cocktails on their menu, and some high-end bars even have the tools for the traditional French preparation. Order absinthe cocktails and enjoy the distinct flavor. Salud!
Throw an absinthe party
Invite your friends over to celebrate National Absinthe Day by enjoying the delicious taste of absinthe! Buy several varieties of absinthe and have a taste test, and prepare a few varieties of cocktails to see which ones you like best. Want to really get in the mood? Play French music and have friends dress up like the Belle Epoque!
Make your own absinthe cocktail
There's quite a big selection of delicious absinthe cocktails out there that you can make yourself! On a hot summer's day, for example, make some lemonade with a kick: pour one part absinthe into a glass with ice; mix with two parts cranberry juice and two parts lemonade; garnish it with a lemon wedge and enjoy! You can find many more easy absinthe cocktail recipes like this online.
Why We Love National Absinthe Day
The cool kids like it
Absinthe is the drink of artists and writers, and some of its most famous fans included Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Oscar Wilde! If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for us!
It has a reputation
Absinthe was long banned in the United States and much of Europe because of its reputation as an addictive hallucinogen! The drink is made of wormwood, anise, and fennel and contains trace amounts of the chemical compound thujone, which some people said caused psychoactive symptoms. It has been proven to be no more dangerous than ordinary alcohol, and has since been legalized, but its reputation lingers, making it seem forbidden — and fun.
It’s fun
Traditionally, absinthe is served via a special process called “louching.” Here’s how you do it: put 1 oz. of absinthe in a cup, pace a specially-designed slotted spoon over the cup, place a sugar cube on the spoon, and use an absinthe fountain or carafe to slowly drip ice water on the sugar cube. As the sugary water drips down, the green absinthe turns milky and is ready to drink. Watching an absinthe drink prepared in the traditional way is great fun, and even more fun is drinking the drink once it’s ready!
National Absinthe Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 5 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | March 5 | Thursday |
| 2027 | March 5 | Friday |
| 2028 | March 5 | Sunday |
| 2029 | March 5 | Monday |
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