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Company History

The Southern Alchemy company's roots were planted in New Orleans, Louisiana, a fitting location considering the city's role in the history of absinthe in America. Our recipe was developed in New Orleans and perfected over the course of years. In creating Esprit Vert, we have created a traditional Suisse absinthe recipe with a modern touch. Esprit Vert combines the finest qualities of traditional European absinthe with light mint, anise, and licorice flavors, resulting in a clean, enjoyable taste that can be enjoyed by many. For almost a century, people wanting to taste this forbidden spirit had to travel to Europe to find it. Unlike absinthe flavored spirits, Esprit Vert is a true absinthe born in New Orleans, making Southern Alchemy one of very few companies that have decided to revive the drink on American soil.

Our commitment to the highest quality, using only natural herbs for color and flavoring along with our unique distillation methods, ensures that each sip of Esprit Vert is mixed with all of the carefully balanced notes of the beverage of old.

A Brief History of Absinthe

Absinthe is a spirit made with wormwood and anise that has been around since the late 17th century, which his its peak in the mid 19th century. Wormwood (commonly found as Artemisia absinthium) was seen used as far back as Ancient Egypt for medicinal purposes. In the 1660's wormwood infused into an alcoholic drink was used by doctors in Switzerland to deliver the wormwood oil to patients. However in the early 18th century, wormwood was infused into various alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. These drinks became popular in Great Britain, but they were just a few of the many choices in alcoholic beverages.

In 19th century France, a wormwood and anise infused spirit known as absinthe (name derived from wormwood's scientific name). Absinthe was promoted as the drink of choice for artists and writers. It was rumored that drinking absinthe would give one visions and hallucinations to inspire great art. This overuse of absinthe in the underworld of France led to the rise of the infamous nicknames such as "The Green Fairy" and "The Green Devil." Many famous artists, such as Oscar Wilde, Toulouse Lautrec, and Vincent Van Gough to name a few, were well associated with absinthe as a form of inspiration. Eventually in the late 19th century, absinthe made its way into the United States. Its popularity thrived in many places, but nowhere as popular as the city of New Orleans, Louisiana.

The infamous rumors and legends surrounding absinthe led to its discouragement and eventual banning in many countries. Absinthe, along with many drugs, was banned in the early 20th century. It was widely believed by European politicians and law enforcement that absinthe was a source of insanity, crime, and illness. Physicians even warned the public of "absinthism," which was a condition supposedly linked to habitual long term drinkers of absinthe. While there is no definition of what absinthe is exactly beyond a name, absinthe with the inclusion of wormwood has now been legalized in the United States of America. Various studies and reports, some accepted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, have shown that the thujone (the active chemical in wormwood) in absinthe is very unlikely to be the cause of absinthism. The levels of thujone present in absinthe drinks is not sufficient enough to have such deteriorating effects. Also, while thujone is classified as a mild hallucinogen, it is unlikely that the levels in absinthe cause hallucinations. Most of the symptoms of absinthism have been attributed to excessive alcohol abuse, the use of other drugs while under the influence of absinthe, and impurities/contaminants from the improper distilling of absinthe. Absinthe is being accepted as a safe spirit/alcohol when consumed in moderation (similar to other available liquors and spirits).