Refresh yourself with this quick Absinthe Frappé recipe! Blend Absinthe, anisette, simple syrup, fresh mint, club soda and crushed ice for the perfect summer drink.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
2 minutes
Servings:
1
Calories:
183
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Absinthe
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 1 bar spoon anisette liqueur
- 8-12 fresh mint leaves
- 2 oz club soda - to top up
- Crushed ice
- Mint sprig - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Highball or Frappé Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Cocktail Shaker
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
- Straw
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill your Frappé or Highball glass with ice to chill it. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Mint: Place 8-12 fresh mint leaves in one hand and gently smack it with the other to release its aromas. Drop the mint into the shaker.
- Add Anisette: Now, pour 1 bar spoon anisette liqueur over the mint.
- Add Sugar: Add ½ oz simple syrup into the shaker.
- Add Absinthe: Finally, measure and add 1½ oz Absinthe to the mix.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Discard the ice in the frappé or highball glass and use the cocktail strainer to strain the drink into the empty glass.
- Add Ice: Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.
- Add Club Soda: Top up with approx. 2 oz club soda (adjust to taste).
- Stir: Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, stir gently to combine.
- Add a Straw: Add a straw and top up with more crushed ice, forming a mounded top.
- Garnish: Place a mint sprig next to the straw for garnish and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Absinthe: You can use either green or white absinthe to prepare this cocktail. If you don't have Absinthe at all, use Pernod or Ricard or another anise-flavored liqueur. I've also tried using Pastis, which has a similar flavor profile.
- Simple Syrup: If you don't have any simple syrup, you can easily make some at home by mixing together equal parts of sugar (any kind you like) and hot water. Stir well to dissolve and let it cool down before using it. In the refrigerator, this home-made simple syrup will last for about a month. Honey syrup (2 parts honey to 1 part warm water) can be used as a natural sweetener if you prefer not to use simple syrup.
- Anisette: You can use any anise-flavored liqueur as a substitute for Anisette. If it’s not available, use anise syrup instead. Orgeat (almond syrup) also works and will bring a slight nutty twist to this cocktail.
- Fresh Mint: If fresh mint isn't available, you can use a few drops of mint extract, but be careful as it's much stronger. You can also omit it if you prefer a fully anise & absinthe forward drink.
Making a Pitcher of Absinthe Frappé:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Absinthe, 4 oz of simple syrup, 1,5 oz of anisette, 4 handfuls of fresh mint leaves and approximately 16 oz of club soda.
- Mix: Smack the mint leaves between your hands and drop them into a large pitcher. Then, add the anisette, absinthe and simple syrup. Let it rest for 15-30 minutes for the flavors to infuse. Once the flavors are well combined, add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice and the mint leaves serve immediately into chilled highball glasses. Fill the glasses up to ¾ with crushed ice, top up with club soda, and stir gently to combine. Add a straw in each glass, fill them with more crushed ice, garnish with a mint sprig, and serve immediately. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Absinthe & Anisette Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic anise-flavored spirit; these are available and mimic the flavor of Absinthe quite well. Otherwise, use anise syrup mixed with lemonade to create a fresh, herbaceous mocktail.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of regular Absinthe and Anisette, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Absinthe Frappé cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including absinthe and anisette, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is an Absinthe Frappé?
An Absinthe Frappé is a cocktail made of Absinthe, anisette, simple syrup, fresh mint, club soda and crushed ice. Although it may sometimes be a bit hard to source good absinthe & anisette, this drink is pretty straightforward to make once you have the necessary ingredients.
What is an Absinthe Frappé made of – The ingredients
Prepare these ingredients to make an Absinthe Frappé:
- Fresh Mint: Known for its refreshing aroma, mint adds a cooling herbal flavor to balance the strong notes of absinthe.
- Anisette: A sweet, anise-flavored liqueur that enhances the licorice profile of the absinthe.
- Simple Syrup: A mix of sugar and water, it adds sweetness and mellows out the sharper flavors in the drink.
- Absinthe: A potent, herbal spirit with strong anise and fennel notes, famous for its licorice-like flavor.
- Club Soda: Adds effervescence and dilutes the strength of the cocktail, providing a lighter, bubbly texture.
- Crushed Ice: Chills the drink and slightly dilutes it for a smoother taste.
- Mint Sprig (optional): Enhances presentation and adds a fresh aroma & scent when sipping the cocktail.
