Discover why Sunset Magazine Named Absinthia Best Woman Distiller!
My Journey with Absinthe: From Art History to Award-Winning Spirits
Discovering the Green Fairy: My First Taste of Absinthe
Absinthia Absinthe was born from my lifelong passion for art history, culture, and the enduring allure of the Green Fairy. Legendary artists and writers including Van Gogh, Degas, Manet, Oscar Wilde, Picasso, and Toulouse-Lautrec found inspiration in Absinthe, and their work sparked my curiosity to experience this iconic spirit for myself.
In 1996, I attended a San Francisco Cacophony Society event — a wake for Marcel Proust — filled with art, music, and free-spirited creativity. It was there that I first encountered Absinthe, an experience unlike any other. Its herbal complexity, ritual, and strange luminosity captivated me. I became determined to share my love for real Absinthe, even when it meant taking risks.
That obsession became Absinthia Absinthe, and it also became my book, The Green Fairy’s Canvas: Absinthe’s Influence on Art and Culture. The book traces Absinthe’s journey through art, myth, prohibition, and revival, revealing why this extraordinary spirit has inspired artists, rebels, and dreamers for centuries.
Now, after years of distilling, researching, and telling the story of the Green Fairy, Absinthia has entered a new chapter in New Orleans. Here, in the city of the Sazerac, cocktail history, and living ritual, I am bringing together the Absinthe, the book, and the culture that inspired them both.
From Underground Distiller to Absinthe Pioneer
Building Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits
In 1997, despite absinthe being banned in the U.S. for over 85 years, I began crafting small batches, studying vintage recipes, and experimenting with herbal blends. On April Fool’s Day of that year, I shared my creation with a select group of friends who appreciated its distinct flavor and effects. That night, they first called me Absinthia, a name that has stayed with me ever since.
As my passion grew, I later discovered that my last name, Vermut, derives from the German word for wormwood. Sometimes, history has a sense of humor.
When absinthe was finally legalized in 2007, I seized the opportunity to bring my craft to a wider audience. In 2017, I launched Absinthia’s Bottled Spirits, introducing award-winning absinthes distilled with organic botanicals and Napa Valley grapes, ensuring a natural sweetness without added sugar.
Alongside my work in absinthe, I co-founded Nickel Dime Cocktail Syrups, further demonstrating my commitment to the craft of mixology. My background, a BFA in Photography and Art History from NYU and an MBA from Babson College, gives me a unique blend of artistic sensibility and business acumen, allowing me to merge creativity with commerce.
Experience the Magic
Ready to taste history in a glass? Discover Absinthia Absinthe, crafted with tradition, artistry, and passion.
A New Chapter in New Orleans Absinthe Revival
Meet Absinthia Vermut
In 2024, I embraced a new adventure, relocating to New Orleans, a city steeped in Absinthe history & cocktail culture. This move allowed me to fully immerse myself in the world of absinthe, sharing my expertise with a community that truly appreciates its storied past and artistic influence.
I’m thrilled to announce that Absinthia Absinthe is now featured at Pirate’s Alley Café, an iconic absinthe bar in the heart of the French Quarter. Just steps from Jackson Square, I serve my award-winning absinthe behind the bar several nights a week, offering guests a firsthand experience of this legendary spirit in a historic setting.
Expanding the Absinthe Conversation
The Craft of Award Winning Absinthe
📖 Discover the Book
Now available as a paperback at select New Orleans booksellers. Successfully funded on Kickstarter, the hardcover Collector's Edition will be available Februay 2027.
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast
Green Fairy Tales – Delving into captivating absinthe stories, interviews, cultural impact, and its revival in the modern cocktail world.
Milestone Timeline
Absinthia’s Journey
2024
