Absinthe Spoon, The Absinthe Leaf

The "La Feuille d'Absinthe" (Absinthe Leaf) absinthe spoon is by far our most desired spoon. It is also one of the most sought-after spoons by collectors of antique absinthe. The spoon's grid features grand wormwood, Artemisia absinthium (the key ingredient in absinthe). The wormwood plant is surrounded by a banner that, on original spoons, sometimes contained advertising text. The bottom of the spoon contains a small ridged area that was originally used to separate a piece of sugar from a sugar loaf (or lump), before sugar cubes were available. The spoon is an exact reproduction of the original 19th-century model.

This spoon is used in the preparation of a traditional French or Swiss absinthe. A traditional absinthe is prepared by pouring one ounce of absinthe into an absinthe glass, then placing the absinthe spoon on top of the glass and a sugar cube on the spoon. Iced water drips slowly from a fountain, carafe, or brouilleur over the sugar cube. The cold sugared water then drips from the spoon into the absinthe glass, releasing oils and scenting the air with fennel, grand wormwood, and anise. The combination also begins to turn a milky white color as the water mixes with the anise.

• It measures 16.5 cm long.
• Stainless steel.
• Tarnish-proof.
• Dishwasher safe.