The History of Absinthe Part Two

Absinthe’s Rise to Popularity (Mid-19th Century)


Absinthe’s popularity grew rapidly throughout the 19th century, particularly in France, where it became deeply embedded in the culture, especially in Paris. By the mid-1800s, absinthe had become a favorite drink of artists, writers, and bohemian intellectuals.

Café Culture & Artistic Circles: In the late 19th century, Parisian cafés became hubs for avant-garde and intellectual life, and absinthe was the drink of choice. Famous figures such as Vincent van Gogh, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, Paul Verlaine, and Arthur Rimbaud were known to drink absinthe, fueling the drink’s reputation as a muse for creativity and artistic inspiration. This is where the myth of absinthe as a "hallucinogenic" substance took root, although there is no scientific evidence supporting these claims.

Absinthe and the French Working Class: Absinthe also became popular among the working class, particularly soldiers returning from the Franco-Prussian War in the 1870s. Its low price and high alcohol content made it accessible, and it became deeply ingrained in French daily life. By the 1880s, absinthe was so prevalent in French society that it was consumed by a broad spectrum of the population.

Absinthe in Popular Culture: Absinthe was often depicted in works of art and literature as a drink of mystery and indulgence. It was seen as a symbol of rebellion against the bourgeois establishment. The green fairy, la fée verte became a popular symbol, believed to embody both the allure and the dangerous qualities of the drink.

свернуть