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Posts Tagged ‘alcohol content in alcoholic drinks’

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 which makes easy for people to decide about the drink and also the quantity of intaking them.

The measurement of alcohol content is done by a hydrometer. A hydrometer looks partially like a fishing float with a thermometer attached. When the hydrometer is put in liquid it floats in the vertical direction. One can see the water line to be moving at the level marked 1 after putting it in water.The level of water increases when it is put in sugared water. In the fermenting alcohol the float moves lower due to use of hydrometer. A person needs to take the first measurement with the sugar but before the yeast is added and then the final measurement after the yeast has completed fermentation while preparing alcohol.

One can detect the volume of alcohol by the following formula
A person can use the formula Original gravity – Final gravity x 131 = Alcohol by volume to calculate the alcohol content.

Both the EU and the United States label the alcohol by volume content of drinks, some other countries go on proof. Studies show that proof is approximately twice alcohol by volume.

Different brands of Absinthe have different alcohol contents. Look at the following statistics:-

Lucid Absinthe 62% abv (124 proof)
The alcohol content is about 53% abv (106 proof) in La Clandestine Absinthe
One can get 55% abv  in Sebor
The alcohol content is found to be 60% in Pere Kermanns
Research shows that Pernod Absinthe contains 68% abv of alcohol
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)
Ideas about La Fee Bohemian 70% abv (140 proof)
The alcohol content in La Fee Parisian is 68% abv (136 proof)
One can get 53% abv (106 proof) of alcohol content in Kubler 53
Research shows that Doubs Mystique Carte D’Or contains 65% abv alcohol
Roquette 1797 75% abv (150 proof)
Jade PF 1901 is available with 68% abv of alcohol volume
The alcohol content is about 72% abv (144 proof) in Jade Edouard
Knowledge of 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)
38% abv (76 proof) is there in Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
Alcohol in beer tends to be 4 or 5% by volume.
Alcohol by volume in Table Wine is 9-12%.
One can get 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof) in Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whisky.
Everclear 95% abv (190 proof)

No other alcoholic drink seems to come close to Absinthe!

The alcohol content can also vary in homemade Absinthes. An Absinthe essence is available at AbsintheKit.com.One can either use Absolut vodka (40% abv) or the Everclear (95% abv) .

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. The claims about Absinthe has been totally wrong but there can be risk to health because of over dose of any drink. As people in Memphis have understood this so Memphis was the city that drank the least alcohol in the USA in the year 2006.

It is necessary to have knowledge of alcohol content in Absinthe and other alcoholic drinks.