
Deussen Global
The green bottle
There are only a handful of sips that have a greenish tinge to them. And absinthe is perhaps the most famous of the bunch. Or should we say infamous — the sip, which is flavored with anise and a host of other botanicals, has had quite the reputation for its supposedly hallucinogenic effects. Lucid is the brand that made absinthe legit again when it arrived on the U.S. market about seven years ago (before then, the spirit had been banned for some time in this country). It’s perfectly safe to drink — yes, we’ve tested it — but more important, it can be quite an interesting, herbaceous sip to enjoy, particularly for those who like things on the licorice-y side. The original Lucid ($60 for standard 750 ml bottle or $33 for a 375 ml one) is still available, but in a new, classy packaging. But the big news is that the same team behind Lucid is now offering a Jade line ($99 a bottle) of what might be termed boutique absinthes, which add notes of earthiness, citrus and more.