Lyre’s Absinthe

Absinthe, the green fairy, the choice of hard hitting drinkers like Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Byron and Toulouse-Lautrec, which can famously be up to 74% proof.  So powerful it was banned for decades.  And now Lyre’s, who never rest on their laurels, have brought out an alcohol free version.  You have to admire that.

Full disclosure:  I have never tasted absinthe, so all I can do is review this in its own right, and not as a imitation of something else.  The very first impression is of wateriness, but that’s always the issue when you haven’t got the mouth-filling effect of ethanol. Other reviews suggest this has an authentic taste. I admit I did expect more of a big bang on the flavour, but that may be because of the drink’s formidable reputation as a hard hitter.  Instead, like its colour, it’s rather delicate. I like it; it’s subtle and herby, the aniseed so balanced by other flavours that it’s knocked right back. The slight medicinal nature of the herbs is offset by a touch of sugar – not too much. This is not one to be knocked back; the subtle taste need taking with due consideration.  I can imagine lolling on a chaise longue drinking this from a long-stemmed glass, in tiny, thoughtful sips.