Absinthiana are the accoutrements surrounding the famous drink absinthe and its preparation ritual. Originally, absinthe was served in standard glasses and water was added from a simple carafe. But as its popularity grew so did the variety of implements used, such as specialty glasses and complex brouilleurs. Many companies didn't hesitate to use these many items to advertise their brands. A reservoir glass filled with a naturally coloured verte next to an absinthe spoon. ...

Absinthe glass

Left, Swirl glass. Right Pontarlier reservoir glass.

A Pontarlier reservoir glass with an absinthe spoon next to it.

An empty absinthe glass with an absinthe spoon and a sugar cube.

Absinthe was commonly served in normal barware, but eventually specific glasses were popularized. These would commonly have a short thick stem and faceting to enhance the louche's appearance. Glasses were marked with a dose line, by either etching or a glass band, showing how much absinthe should be poured into them. The term 'reservoir glass' covers a large number of styles of glassware that contained a small bulge at the bottom which marked the dose. They were the first type of glass made specifically for absinthe. A less common variation, called the bubble-reservoir glass, contained a defined bubble shaped reservoir. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Pontarlier is a commune of northeastern France, sous-préfecture of the Doubs département. ... Image File history File links Absinthe-glass. ... Image File history File links Absinthe-glass. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 544 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1896 × 2088 pixel, file size: 211 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Copied from the Lëtzebuergesch Wikipedia Author:lb:User:Cornischong File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 544 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (1896 × 2088 pixel, file size: 211 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Copied from the Lëtzebuergesch Wikipedia Author:lb:User:Cornischong File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file... A reservoir glass filled with a naturally colored verte next to an absinthe spoon. ...

Absinthe spoon

Collection of absinthe spoons

A perforated or slotted spoon was used to dissolve a sugar cube into a glass of absinthe, usually in order to sweeten the drink and counteract its mild bitterness. The bowl of the spoon is normally flat with a notch in the handle where it rests on the rim of the glass. Originating circa the 1860s, absinthe spoons were often stamped with brand names or logos as advertising, much like modern alcohol paraphernalia. Sometimes they were sold as tourist items; for example, some might be shaped like the Eiffel tower. Image File history File links Absinthe_spoons. ... Image File history File links Absinthe_spoons. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... Magnified view of refined sugar crystals. ... A reservoir glass filled with a naturally coloured verte next to an absinthe spoon. ... Eiffel tower on Bastille Day The Eiffel Tower (French: , ) is an iron tower built on the Champ de Mars beside the River Seine in Paris, France. ...

"Les Cuilleres" spoons, a less-common variation of the absinthe spoon, are similar to iced tea spoons. By contrast, these have a normal spoon bowl and the sugar holder built into the handle. Iced tea spoon An iced tea spoon is a long, thin spoon, used primarily in the Southern United States, for stirring sugar or other sweeteners into iced tea, which is traditionally served in a tumbler or iced tea glass. ... A common silver spoon A spoon is a common eating utensil, or item of cutlery, somewhat like a small spade, with a bowl-shaped end on a handle, that occurs in a number of sizes and forms. ...

"Les Cuilleres" spoon

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Grilles

Another sugar tool, the grille, lacks the overall spoon shape. Rather it is generally a perforated metal saucer with 3 or more legs that hold it above the glass.

Water Drip

A rare six spigot Legler Pernod absinthe fountaine

Adding ice cold water to absinthe is a very important part of the preparation. It was sometimes considered an art form, and bars often had "professors of absinthe" who would show new drinkers how to properly add water one drop at a time. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Carafe

A water carafe is the most basic way to add water. As with other items, many have been found with brand names etched or printed onto them. The carafe is held high above the glass and water is delicately added, drop by drop. A decanter is a vessel used for holding the results of decantation, in which liquid from another vessel is poured into the decanter in order to separate a small volume of liquid containing sediment (such as wine) from a larger volume of clear liquid (i. ...

Fountain

Fountains appeared in bars and bistros as absinthe gained popularity. Often a large glass container suspended above the table held between two and six spigots. It allowed a small party of drinkers to accurately prepare their absinthe all at once with a slow drip of cold water but did not require the painstaking concentration required by a carafe.

Brouilleur

A Brouilleur is a glass or metal bowl which sits on the absinthe glass and acts like a personal fountain. Ice and water are added to the bowl, which has a small hole at the bottom, and ice-cold water slowly drips through. Sugar can be added directly to the bowl, or in some cases to a built-in grille.