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?

Due to the label on all commercial alcoholic drinks about alcohol content people are capable for making informed decisions about drinking them and how much to consume.

The measurement of alcohol content is done by a hydrometer. A hydrometer looks partially like a fishing float with a thermometer attached. The direction of hydrometer is vertical when kept in liquid. When it is put in water, the water line will be at the level marked 1.If it is supplied in sugared water the level will be higher as the water gets denser. In the fermenting alcohol the float moves lower due to use of hydrometer. There is done two measurements of alcohol, one is taken with the sugar but before the yeast is added and then the final reading is taken after the fermentation of yeast.

Alcohol by volume is known by the following formula
Alcohol content can be calculated by the formula Original gravity – Final gravity x 131 = Alcohol by volume.

Both the EU and the United States label the alcohol by volume content of drinks, some other 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)
The alcohol content is about 53% abv (106 proof) in La Clandestine Absinthe
The alcohol content is found to be 55% in Sebor
The alcohol content is found to be 60% in Pere Kermanns
Pernod Absinthe contains 68% abv of alcohol
Mari Mayans Collectors 70 is available with 70% abv (140 proof) of alcohol
Tips about La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise 68% abv (136 proof)
What is La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
La Fee Parisian 68% abv (136 proof)
Kubler 53 contains 53% abv (106 proof) of alcohol by volume
One can get 65% abv alcohol content in Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or
The alcohol content is found to be 75% abv in Roquette 1797
The volume of alcohol in Jade PF 1901 is 68% abv
The alcohol content in Jade Edouard is 72% abv (144 proof)
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)
One can get 38% abv (76 proof) in Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
Alcohol in beer tends to be 4 or 5% by volume.
Table Wine contains 9-12% alcohol by volume (18-24 proof).
Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof).
Everclear 95% abv (190 proof)

No other alcoholic drink seems to come close to Absinthe!

Homemade Absinthes cannot have the same alcohol content. Mix an Absinthe essence from AbsintheKit.com.Absolut vodka and Everclear are available at AbsintheKit.com which have different alcohol content.

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.

Although alcohol is fine if consumed in moderation but one should know about alcohol content in Absinthe and other drinks.