There has been much controversy regarding the thujone levels in Absinthe and whether Absinthe can really make you hallucinate but what about its alcohol content – How much alcohol is in Absinthe?

All commercial alcoholic drinks are labeled according to their alcohol content which makes people able to decide about the drink and also about the quantity of consuming them.

Alcohol content is measured by using a hydrometer. A hydrometer is available with a thermometer attached to it. The hydrometer floats upright in the liquid. When it is put in water, the water line will be at the level marked 1.When it is put in sugared water the level increases because the water becomes denser. When the hydrometer is used in fermenting alcohol the float moves lower. The original gravity and the final gravity of alcohol is measured while preparing it.

One can detect the volume of alcohol by the following formula
Original gravity – Final gravity x 131 = Alcohol by volume, is the formula to know alcohol content.

The EU and the United States use label for the alcohol by volume content of drinks while a few countries go on proof. Proof is around twice alcohol by volume.

Different brands of Absinthe have different alcohol contents. Look at the following statistics:-

Lucid Absinthe 62% abv (124 proof)
La Clandestine Absinthe 53% abv (106 proof)
The alcohol content in Sebor is about 55%
The alcohol content is 60% in Pere Kermanns
The alcohol content in Pernod Absinthe is 68% abv
Mari Mayans Collectors 70 70% abv (140 proof)
La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
The alcohol content in La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise is 68% abv (136 proof)
Knowledge of La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
La Fee Parisian contains 68% abv of alcohol
Kubler 53 53% abv (106 proof)
Research shows that Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or contains 65% abv alcohol
Roquette 1797 75% abv (150 proof)
The alcohol volume in Jade PF 1901 is 68% abv
Jade Edouard 72% abv (144 proof)
Going through Jade Verte Suisse 65% abv (130 proof)
Jade Nouvelle Orleans 68% abv (136 proof)

As you can see Absinthe can range from 53% abv to 75% abv, quite a difference. Now, let’s compare those levels to other alcoholic drinks:-

Absolut Blue Vodka 40% abv (80 proof)
The abv percentage is 38 in Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
Beer tends to be 4 or 5% alcohol by volume (8-10 proof).
One can get Table Wine with 9-12% alcohol by volume.
The alcohol by volume is 40% in Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky.
Everclear 95% abv (190 proof)

No other alcoholic drink seems to come close to Absinthe!

The alcohol content can also vary in homemade Absinthes. One can visit AbsintheKit.com to mix an Absinthe essence.Absolut vodka contains 40% abv and the Everclear contains 95% abv alcohol.

Absinthe was banned in the 1900s because of claims that thujone, the chemical in wormwood, was like THC in the drug cannabis and that it was psychoactive and caused psychedelic effects. We now know that claims that Absinthe is an hallucinogen are completely false but we do need to remember that any liquor can be harmful to our health if we consume too much. People in Memphis have realized this and, in 2006, Memphis was the city that drank the least alcohol in the USA – more than 6/10 Memphis citizens had not even consumed a sip of alcohol in at least a month when they were polled.

However alcohol is not harmful when drunk in moderation but it is necessary to have know about alcohol content in Absinthe and other alcoholic drinks.

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