The Wine Fact Center

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?

People can make informed decisions about the type of drink and their drinking quantity as all commercial alcoholic drinks indicate alcohol content in them.

The measurement of alcohol content is done by a hydrometer. A hydrometer is available with a thermometer attached to it. The hydrometer swims straight in the liquid. The water line will be at the level marked 1 after putting it in water.One can see increase in the level of water when it is put in sugared water. When the hydrometer is used in fermenting alcohol the float moves lower. While preparing alcohol the first measurement (original gravity) is taken with the sugar before the yeast is added and then the final calculation is done after the yeast has finished fermenting.

Alcohol by volume is worked out by the following formula:-
Original gravity – Final gravity x 131 = Alcohol by volume.

The EU and the United States label the alcohol by volume content of drinks on the other hand some other countries believe on proof. Proof is approximately 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 contains 53% abv (106 proof)
The alcohol content in Sebor is about 55%
Pere Kermanns 60% abv (120 proof)
Pernod Absinthe contains 68% abv of alcohol
Mari Mayans Collectors 70 contains 70% abv (140 proof) of alcohol
La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise caotains 68% abv alcohol by volume (136 proof)
La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
The alcohol content in La Fee Parisian is 68% abv (136 proof)
Kubler 53 is available with 53% abv (106 proof) of alcohol by volume
Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or 65% abv (130 proof)
Roquette 1797 contains 75% abv of alcohol
Jade PF 1901 is available with 68% abv of alcohol volume
The alcohol content in Jade Edouard is 72% abv (144 proof)
Information about 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)
Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila contains 38% abv
Alcohol in beer tends to be 4 or 5% by volume.
Table Wine 9-12% alcohol by volume (18-24 proof).
One can get 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof) 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 differ in homemade Absinthes. One person might mix an Absinthe essence from AbsintheKit.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. The claims about Absinthe has been totally wrong but there can be risk to health because of over dose of any drink. People in Memphis have realized this and in 2006 Memphis was the city that drank the least alcohol in the USA.

Alcohol is fine if consumed in moderation but you need to know how much alcohol is in Absinthe and other alcohol that you buy and consume.