Présentez La Fee Verte

Translation: “Introducing the Green Fairy.” 

The Green Fairy will make her presence known at The Wharf Rat in Fells Point on Thursday, January 20. Here is their website with details in the Events section: http://thewharfrat.com/ 

This colorful sobriquet for Absinthe arose during La Belle Epoch. It derived from the muse attributed to this potent liquor and its allegedly hallucinogenic effect. As a fan of exotic potables, I will share some information about La Fee Verte and hope to share a glass of Absinthe with you on the 20th.

The name, Absinthe, comes from Artemisia absinthium, the Linnaean classification of the plant, grande wormwood. It does contain thujone, which is psychoactive. Only trace amounts exist in Absinthe. Depending on the brand, the liquor is between 130-140 proof. You would succumb to alcohol poisoning long before imbibing enough to ingest any significant amount of thujone.

The liquor’s ban in the early 20^th century involves a conspiracy theory. During the last quarter of the 19^th century, France’s vineyards experienced blight. This caused a drop in wine production, an increase in the cost of wine and an upsurge in the sale of Absinthe.

During France’s military incursions in Algeria, doctors advised putting Absinthe in canteens to fight malaria and other tropical diseases. Veterans developed a taste for the Green Fairy and returned about the same time as the dip in wine production.

As the 20^th century began, wine production was back, but many Frenchman preferred the effect of Absinthe. Temperance campaigners, supported by the wine industry, railed against the Green Fairy. The case of Jean Lanfray was a demagogue's godsend.

Lanfray’s murder of his wife and two children became a sensation in the press. Absinthe madness was blamed and generated headlines. He did drink two ounces of nefarious nectar before the murder.  However, prior to that he’d had seven glasses of wine, six cognacs, coffee with brandy and two Crème de Menthes, but the press never let facts get in the way of good copy. Absinthe was soon banned.

After a century, La Fee Vert has arisen. I look forward to seeing you at the Long Green Hour at Wharf Rat on January 20 – as ever BB

"Absinthe is the aphrodisiac of the soul. The green fairy who lives in the absinthe wants your soul. But you are safe with me." – Gary Oldham to Winona Ryder in Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula