This absinthe set provides everything you need for a true introduction to the world of absinthe. It includes a bottle of our best-selling absinthe Strong68, four traditional absinthe glasses with stainless steel spoons, an absinthe water carafe, and a large pack of sugar cubes for authentic preparation.
Strong68 is a classic French absinthe. It is based on a traditional 19th-century recipe with wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) as the main ingredient. At 68%, the alcohol content is also classically strong. Accordingly, Absinthe Strong68 has a typically herbal and fresh taste. Anise and fennel are prominent components, but without tasting overly "licorice-like." This is because Strong68 is made with aromatic green anise instead of the far more dominant star anise. Star anise is familiar, for example, from classic candies at Christmas markets. Green anise has a milder taste and is above all more aromatic and floral.
The green color of Strong68 comes exclusively from natural coloring herbs. No artificial dyes are used. This is how it was in the 19th century, and this is how it should be today. When ice-cold water is added, Strong68 turns a milky white. Strong68 is distilled in France at a traditional distillery with over 150 years of history. It is a high-quality distillate, not an inferior oil mix like those often found in (cheap) absinthes from the supermarket. Overall, quality and tradition are paramount with this absinthe. That's why we are delighted that it was recognized with a gold medal the Concours de Lyon 2026 and silver medal at the International Spirits Award ISW 2025 and Craft Spirits Awards 2026. Strong68 is therefore exactly what you're looking for if you want a high-quality, authentic absinthe.
French Wormwood for Absinthe Strong68
Strong68 is produced in the small French town of Fougerolles, near Alsace. In the 19th century, Fougerolles was home to several absinthe distilleries, and indeed, the town remains renowned for its high-quality spirits. Many distilleries boast a centuries-long history, including the one where Strong68 is produced. Founded in 1859, the distillery still cultivates its own wormwood and various fruits for its "Eaux de Vies" (French for elixir of life). Every summer, the fruits and wormwood plants are harvested. The wormwood plants reach a height of approximately two meters. They are cut by hand and then hung to dry for the next six months in a wooden shed called a "séchoir." The warm summer climate and the cooler temperatures in autumn and early winter provide the perfect conditions for further enhancing the quality of the herbs. This traditional, time-consuming process ensures first-class quality of the herbs and is almost a rarity in our fast-paced, efficiency-driven times.
Absinthe accessories of the set
The World of Absinthe set includes four classic "Pontarlier" absinthe glasses. They are authentic reproductions of historical originals and feature a reservoir in the base that measures the correct amount for a glass of absinthe. For the traditional absinthe ritual, you will also need absinthe spoons. The set includes traditional "Classic" spoons made of stainless steel. These are also reproductions of historical absinthe spoons from the 19th century.
The ALANDIA water carafe, with its thoughtful details, offers exceptional functionality. For example, it has a sufficiently wide neck to easily add ice cubes. Ice-cold water is essential for the absinthe ritual, as it creates a particularly dense louche. Louche is the clouding effect of the absinthe when water is added. This is an important functional feature, but not every water carafe offers it. Furthermore, the carafe has a small spout. This allows for a slow, controlled, and, above all, fine stream of water. This is important for dissolving the sugar cube in a controlled manner. With other water carafes, the water often tends to splash out, which is detrimental to the absinthe ritual.
Our ALANDIA sugar cubes, also included in the set, are an important and useful accessory. They dissolve particularly well when moistened with water because they are slightly less densely pressed and somewhat flatter than conventional sugar cubes.
This is how absinthe is traditionally prepared.
Not quite sure how to drink absinthe properly? No problem, we've filmed a video of the classic French ritual. You can find it in the image gallery. As you can see, the correct preparation requires an absinthe glass, an absinthe spoon, sugar cubes, and ice-cold water. The best way to get the water is from an absinthe fountain or a water carafe. The water should be poured into the absinthe as slowly as possible to achieve a perfect "loche." The louche is the magical spectacle that occurs when the absinthe and water mix and combine to form a milky, opalescent white.
Absinthe is not meant to be set on fire. This is a new invention, and we strongly advise against this fire ritual! It is dangerous and ruins the delicate flavor of the absinthe.
