How to Serve Absinthe (The Beautiful, Slow Way)

There are few drinks more mysterious, theatrical, and romantic than absinthe. Once banned, now beloved, it has an old-world charm that's made for slow sipping and even slower evenings. And if you're going to serve it, you may as well do it beautifully.

Here’s how to turn an absinthe moment into a ritual worth remembering – the Always Sunday way.

Start with the Right Glass
Forget novelty shot glasses or clunky tumblers. Traditional absinthe deserves traditional absinthe glasses – like our set of two Traditional Absinthe Glasses. Designed in the classic Pontarlier style, they feature a rounded reservoir to help measure your pour perfectly. They’re weighty, elegant, and yes – they make the green fairy look her best.

Step One: Pour the Absinthe
Pour roughly 25-30ml of absinthe into the glass. The reservoir at the bottom makes this easy to eyeball. Don’t overfill – the magic is in the mix.

Step Two: Place the Spoon and Sugar Cube
Absinthe is traditionally served with a slotted spoon and sugar cube. Lay your absinthe spoon across the rim of the glass and pop a sugar cube on top (we love raw cane for that old-school feel).

Step Three: The Slow Drip
Now the moment everyone waits for. Slowly drip ice-cold water over the sugar cube until it dissolves and the drink louche’s – that’s when the clear green absinthe clouds into a soft, milky haze. It should be roughly 1 part absinthe to 3-5 parts water. Go slow. Sip slower.

Make It a Moment
We’re not here for rushed drinks. Pair your absinthe ritual with soft candlelight (these painted taper candles are perfect), a hand-poured ceramic dish for your sugar cubes, and the right soundtrack.

Hosting? It makes a brilliant after-dinner moment, especially when served with a few squares of dark chocolate.

Final Tip: Absinthe is strong. It’s also meant to be savoured. So go slowly, serve it beautifully, and enjoy the ritual as much as the drink.