UP Absinthe 55 Essence 20 ml

UP Absinthe 55 Essence 20 ml

This is the absinthe for those who already know what they want. Absinthe 55 is the most wormwood-driven essence in our range – the number stands for 55 mg thujone per finished bottle, our highest thujone content – and the flavour follows suit: drier, more bitter and more herbal than any of its siblings. There are no shortcuts here and no embellishments, only the character of the green herb in full focus.

The essence is entirely natural and contains all the herbs that should be found in an absinthe. Wormwood leads, but it is carried by green anise, fennel, star anise, hyssop, lemon balm and coriander, just as in the glasses once set out during the green hour of the artists’ cafés. The difference lies in the proportions – and in the long, stern bitterness.

Colour & Appearance

Absinthe 55 louches heavily. Even the first drops of iced water draw dense, milky streaks through the glass, and soon the drink is opaque with a mother-of-pearl shimmer – clear proof of the quantity of essential oils from real absinthe ingredients.

Nose

The nose is intense and dry. Wormwood dominates with its green, slightly dusty, menthol-like bitterness, flanked by star anise and fennel seed. Further in you find hyssop, dried lemon balm and coriander seed, like a stroll through an apothecary’s cabinet full of dried herbs.

Palate

The palate is forceful from the very first second. The anise barely has time to introduce itself before the wormwood takes command with a broad, clean and persistent bitterness. Fennel and hyssop give green body, the coriander a spicy edge, and what little sweetness there is comes almost entirely from the anise. Here the sugar cube and the water do real work: the bitterness is smoothed, the herbs open up and the drink gains the bittersweet balance that is the hallmark of the style.

Finish

The finish is very long, dry and bitter in an appetising way, with wormwood and liquorice root staying put long after the last sip.

How to Use

The essence is mixed with vodka or neutral spirit – preferably a stronger spirit, which gives the classic absinthe style. 20 ml makes 750 ml of finished absinthe with 55 mg thujone. Instructions are on the label.

Serving Suggestions

• According to tradition: a sugar cube on the absinthe spoon and ice-cold water, drop by drop, until the glass is completely milky.
• As a glass rinse for stirred, spirit-forward cocktails – a few drops are enough.
• With sparkling wine for a dry, herbal aperitif.
• Over crushed ice with a little sugar syrup and mint.
• A splash in tonic with lemon peel for lovers of bitterness.

About the Essence

Absinthe 55 is part of the UP range, Ultra Premium, our highest quality level, and is our strongest absinthe in terms of wormwood character and thujone content.

It is also available as Absinthe 55 Strong Pro in 280 ml – with or without 14 absinthe labels and a measure – and in 1000 ml, as well as in 50 ml and in 25 litres. The same essence is supplied to professional producers; here you get it in a consumer format.