Hapsburg Absinthe equals strong and minty

Hapsburg Absinthe is one of the worlds most strongest liquors in the world with it having an ABV of 72.5%. Absinthe is a green, strong and minty drink which is great on it’s own, but also delicious in cocktails and also within food, yes food!.

Given a PR sample I was gifted a bottle of Hapsburg Absinthe in which my challenge was to cook with it which I was a bit dubious in it working as of it’s strong minty flavour but I was highly surprised by the results.

Hapsburg Absinthe

Established in 1999, Hapsburg Absinthe was one of the few pioneering brands to appear when the first resurgence of Absinthe took place, since it had been banned in Switzerland in 1905. Absinthe used to be very popular during the 1890’s and very fashionable in the vast majority of cafes, bars and salons, particularly in France and Switzerland, the birthplace of Absinthe. However in 1905 it got banned.

Hapsburg Absinthe brings a modern innovative and fashionable twist to new generation of absinthe drinks from the young dynamic student to the more seasoned and edgy drinker.

Hapsburg Absinthe have created a variety of versions that are specifically designed to enhance peoples lifestyles and excite each and every one of their consumers.

Hapsburg Absinthe is a drink for an individual who can see past the stigma and reputation of absinthe but is bold enough to make a statement of uniqueness, refinement and understanding. Hapsburg has fashioned a drink for those who want to stand out from the crowd. 

Taste of Hapsburg Absinthe

Prohibition… Hallucinogenic… Mythical… Controversial… ? Perhaps once-upon-a-time, but today, Absinthe is not just a drink but a lifestyle with great heritage and steeped in intrigue.

Upon receiving my bottle of the Hapsburg Absinthe Classic spirit I was surprised in how green the liquor looked. Plus the Absinthe Classic is Hapsburg’s first ever produced absinthe which uses the the traditional recipe which is infused with Artemisia Absinthium (grand wormwood). Plus at 72.5% proof I knew that this was going to be strong drink.

Hapsburg Absinthe Classic did not disappoint it has an authentic taste of strong mint and liquorice.

The traditional way to serve a glass of Absinthe is by pouring 50ml of Absinthe Classic into an absinthe style glass with an absinthe spoon with a sugar cube on top of the glass and slowly pour chilled water over the sugar cube. When fully dissolved, stir with the absinthe spoon and sip.

The Classic Absinthe also works beautifully in cocktails. I made an Absinthe Classic with Pineapple Juice.

Absinthe Classic with Pineapple Juice

Ingredients

50ml Absinthe Classic
150ml pineapple juice
180g ice cubes

1. Fill a highball glass to the top with ice cubes.
2. Pour in 50ml of absinthe.
3. Top up with pineapple juice and stir gently.

Watch my video.

However my challenge was not to just use the Absinthe as a drink but to show that actually Absinthe can be used to cook with as well so I decided to make a salad with it and a pasta dish.

For a variety of other cocktail recipes using Hapsburg Absinthe click here.

Greek Salad with Hapsburg Absinthe

Ingredients (serves 2)

For the salad
140g cherry tomatoes, halved
Half cucumber, thinly sliced into half moons
90g halved kalamta olives
Half red onion, thinly sliced
50g crumbled feta

For the dressing
Half garlic clove chopped up
1 1/2 tbsp Hapsburg Absinthe
1/4 Dijon mustard
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper

Method

1. Make salad in a large bowl, stir together tomatoes, cucumber, olives and red onion. Gently fold in feta.
2. In a small bowl, make dressing combine garlic, Hapsburg Absinthe Classic, mustard and salt & pepper together. Slowly add extra virgin olive oil whisking to combine.
3. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve.

Watch my video.

Surprisingly this salad was really refreshing with a kick from the mintiness of the Absinthe, certainly different and a very adult salad. I would certainly make it again.

Penne Hapsburg Absinthe Bolognese

Ingredients (serves 2)

1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic chopped
1/2 onion chopped
400g minced beef
2 tomatoes cut into chunks
1 tbsp tomato past
Half can plus tomatoes, crush
1 tbsp mix of dried herbs (oregano, basil, parsley)
Juice of half a lemon
1/2 cup Hapsburg Absinthe Classic
1/2 cup double cream
1/2 cup frozen peas
3 tbsp Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley
Salt & pepper
250g Penne pasta

Method

1. In a pan saute onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes until onions are soft, not browned.
2. Saute ground minced beef with the onion and garlic until browned all over.
3. Add the tomatoes and saute for 2 minutes.
4. Add the tomato pasta and can of crushed plum tomatoes.
5. Add 1/2 tsp salt & pepper, and dried herbs. Bring to the simmer and then turn heat to low and simmer for approx. 45 minutes. Occasionally stirring so sauce does not stick to bottom of pan.
6. Add the Absinthe and cream and stir until sauce is consistent in colour. Cover and simmer on medium heat for 15 minutes.
7. Prepare pasta as indicated on pack.
8. Four minutes prior to serving add peas to the sauce.
9. Then once the pasta is done add the pasta and Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir to fully coat in the pasta. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve.

Watch my video.

Again surprisingly this worked beautifully. Had that nice tomato flavour through the pasta with the meatiness from the mince then that added liquorice and mint taste from the Absinthe. Certainly different but definitely tasty a real twist to the normal classic bolognese. A real adult version.

Verdict

Hapsburg Absinthe was a real surprise in the look and flavour and certainly different to any other spirit on the market. As mentioned before it provides a unique taste of mintiness and liquorice, plus at 72.5% proof this is a real adult drink.

If you are looking for a talking point at your next party then I highly recommend serving Hapsburg Absinthe.

Hapsburg Absinthe is unique, contemporary and delicious.

Hapsburg Absinthe order yours

Wine & Spirit International Ltd
Office Suite 613
24 Arcadia Avenue
London
N3 2JU

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Thank you to Hapsburg Absinthe for the unique minty drink. All views are my own honest opinion.