I’m the…the…the…THE GRINCH!
Talk about clips that live rent-free in my head, literally everything from the 2000 film, How the Grinch Stole Christmas starring Jim Carey. Like the divisive character of the Grinch, I have a drink that you’re either going to love or hate.
Honestly, this bad boy turned me around on Absinthe.
My partner, Jared, loves this licorice flavor liqueur in a cocktail called the Death in the afternoon: champagne, sugar cube, and Absinthe. I prefer my champagne unadulterated or with bourbon. We ain’t called Whiskey While We Work for nothing. I am always willing to try something for a second time, in a different way if I didn’t love it the first time. I think this is also excellent dating advice. EVERYONE IS WEIRD on the first date, okay!?!
This drink used to be a morning pick-me-up in the 1800s before Absinthe was banned.
I discovered this cocktail from The Essential Bar Book gifted to me by a friend for Christmas. Pick it up if you are looking for a bar book to add to your collection or a gift to a friend who’s just starting cocktails. We also have our own little gift guide coming out next week. So stay tuned for that!
Invented in at the Old Absinthe House, it’s now a drink you can find today in New Orleans and I’m here bringing it to the Pacific Northwest.
I added my own variation on this drink by adding matcha!
I get a more distinct green color and this out-of-this-world herbal aperitif that is bound to impress the weird foodie friend, i.e., Me, at your dinner party. Try it, okay! Tell me what you think about the traditional non-matcha and matcha ways in the comments below.
The Grinch: An Matcha and Absinthe Frappe
The original drink sans Matcha was a popular aperitif and a morning pick me up in the 1800’s. We put our own Grinch green spin on it!
Ingredients
- 1 oz Absinthe
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes of anisette (optional)
- 1 tsp of culinary grade matcha
- 1-2 oz of chilled water
- Ice, crushed or pebble
Directions
- Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
- Add regular ice and shake until the matcha has dissolved into the liquid and is chilled.
- Pour into absinthe or rocks glass (I used a Nick and Nora coupe glass) over crushed or pebble ice.
- Top with additional ice.
- Serve and drink immediately.
Tips & Tricks:
? You do not have to use the matcha if you want that full star anise flavor from the Absinthe. But you’ll end up with a paler, soft green color as opposed to my verdant festive Grinch Green.
? If you don’t have pebble ice or crushed ice, you can through your ice into a blender and achieve a snow cone texture. What could be more perfect for a winter cocktail?
Do you hate it? Do you love it? Would you try it? This is an excellent introduction to Absinthe that is easy and refreshing! Or did I just ruin your holiday? ?
Drinkmas Cheers, babe!
KK
