More Spirits Join the Revival

Today we are talking about two spirits in particular: gin and absinthe. Both of these liquors have seen better days than those of recent years, however there is increasingly more focus on them as the cocktail revival continues.

Gin, once the matriarch of cocktail spirits, was taken down with the rise in popularity of vodka-based drinks. Now, the market is being inundated with specialty gins that are sure to please every palate, from sweet and subtle to an explosion of pure juniper. Charles Perry, of the Los Angeles Times, has an interesting piece tracing gin's legacy with a base theory that it's initial demise was all James Bond's fault. I don't know about that, but I can say that anyone who has sworn off gin should check out what is on the shelves today. There has to be one out there that will fit your ideal of the perfect Martini. For the person who swears to have only a taste for vodka I suggest easing yourself into the gin world with a delicate one like Beefeater Wet.

We have all heard the horror stories surrounding absinthe and those are the main reason the liqueur has been outlawed throughout the world. Well, there is hope for everyone who's been dying to try the real deal. The wormwood-based liquor is legal in Europe and can be purchased online and may not be as harmful as we have always been told (in moderation, of course). Anyone who is interested in absinthe should definitely read Harold McGee's article from the NY Times and take heed to his "Buyer Beware" warning as absinthe is not controlled with any distillation regulations.