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?

All commercial alcoholic drinks are labeled to show their alcohol content so that people can choose the right one for them.

A person needs a hydrometer to measure alcohol content. A hydrometer looks partially like a fishing float with a thermometer attached. The direction of hydrometer is vertical when kept in liquid. One can see the water line to be moving at the level marked 1 after putting it in water.000, if it is put in sugared water the level will be higher because the water is denser. When the hydrometer is used in fermenting alcohol the float moves lower as the sugar is eaten by the yeast. 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.

This formula is used to get the volume of alcohol
Alcohol content can be calculated by the formula Original gravity – Final gravity x 131 = Alcohol by volume.

Label is used for the alcohol by volume content of drinks in the EU and the United States but a few countries uses the 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)
Alcohol by volume is 53% in La Clandestine Absinthe
Sebor 55% abv (110 proof)
Research shows that Pere Kermanns contains 60% abv
The alcohol content is found to be 68% abv in Pernod Absinthe
Mari Mayans Collectors 70 70% abv (140 proof)
What is La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
The alcohol content in La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise is 68% abv (136 proof)
Information about La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
La Fee Parisian contains 68% abv of alcohol
Kubler 53 is available with 53% abv (106 proof) of alcohol by volume
Research shows that Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or contains 65% abv alcohol
The availibility of alcohol content in Roquette 1797 is 75% abv
The alcohol volume in Jade PF 1901 is 68% abv
Jade Edouard 72% abv (144 proof)
What is 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 is available with 38% abv (76 proof)
Beer can have 4 or 5% alcohol by volume.
Alcohol by volume in Table Wine is 9-12%.
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 can also vary in alcohol content. One can visit AbsintheKit.com to mix an Absinthe essence.A person can see a great difference in the alcohol content of Absolut vodka and the Everclear.

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. Although the claims that Absinthe is an hallucinogen are completely wrong but one should not forget that excess drinking of any liquor can be harmful. As people in Memphis have understood this so Memphis was the city that drank the least alcohol in the USA in the year 2006.

One should definitely know about the alcohol content in Absinthe and other alcohol that is consumed by the people.