“Absinthe Drinker” by Viktor Oliva.

In yet another effort to celebrate summer’s impending arrival for real (it officially hits on the longest day of the year, the 21st of June) as well as the fact that prohibition of Absinthe in North America officially ended in November of 2007 (say what?), I got myself a preemo bottle of Pernod 68 (I’ve been wanting to try the “green fairy” for years and now it is legally possible to do so). I then prepared a drink according to the classic French Absinthe ritual. Watching the “louche effect” take place right before my eyes was a sight to behold; to be honest I was afraid it wouldn’t work, cuz if it didn’t, then I’d be out 80 bones (this sh!t ain’t cheap). I quite enjoyed not only the drink, but the ritualistic preparation that goes into making one (it also helped that I’m a fan of Sambuca as the tastes are very similar, albeit Absinthe is much stronger). And with that, I have found my official drink for summer ‘08.