What Percentage is Absinthe?

Absinthe is a strong anise flavor liquor which is made by distilling alcohol with herbs such as wormwood, and fennel. We know it is strong and can get you drunk easily, but what percentage by volume of alcohol is Absinthe and what is its proof?

Let's look at the alcohol by volume levels of popular brands of Absinthe:-

La Fee XS Absinthe Francaise 68% abv (136 proof)
Doubs Mystique Carte D'Or 65% alcohol by volume is 130 proof
La Clandestine Absinthe is 53% alcohol by volume (106 proof)
Jade Edouard is 72% alcohol by volume or 144 proof
Sebor 55% abv (110 proof)
Jade Nouvelle Orleans 68% alcohol by volume is 136 proof
Mari Mayans Collectors 70 is around 70% alcohol by volume or 140 proof
La Fee Parisian 68% abv (136 proof)
Lucid Absinthe 62% abv (124 proof)
Jade Verte Suisse 65% alcohol by volume which is 130 proof
Pernod Absinthe 68% abv (136 proof)
Kuber 53 is 53% alcohol by volume (106 proof)
Pere Kermanns 60% abv (120 proof)
Jade PF 1901 which is 68% abv is 136 proof
La Fee XS Absinthe Suisse 53% abv (106 proof)
Roquette 1797 75% abv (150 proof)
La Fee Bohemian 70% alcohol by volume (140 proof)

Let's now compare Absinthe to other beverages:-

Whisky such as Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch 40% alcohol by volume (80 proof)
Absinthe can be 75% alcohol by volume (150 proof)
Table Wine 9-12% abv is 18-24 proof
Beer is only 4 or 5% alcohol by volume or 8-10 proof

The information on the alcohol.com website worked out if you have 1 shot of Everclear which is 190 proof is equivalent to drinking two.8five beers and about 3 brandies. With this information it can be established that one shot of Absinthe is equivalent to 2.25 bottles of beer. So, 22 shots of Absinthe is equivalent to 49.5 cans of beer!

As you can see, Absinthe is stronger than types of fermented drinks such as wine and beer and even stronger than whisky. Care needs to be used when consuming Absinthe because it is so strong and will intoxicate quickly. We need to take particular care when mixing Absinthe with other alcoholic drinks in cocktails.

Care should also be taken when making your own homemade Absinthe drink. If you buy an Absinthe kit from someone like Green Devil then you are simply steeping herbs in a neutral alcohol such as Everclear or vodka. Everclear has alcohol by volume of 95% and a proof of 190 so it is much stronger than commercial Absinthe. The absinthekit has absinthe essences.some also have to be mixed with a neutral alcohol such as Everclear or vodka. The finished Absinthe will be the proof or abv of the neutral alcohol you have used.

What is the percent in Absinthe? For commercial Absinthe just look on the bottle label or, if you are ordering online, look at the product details for abv or proof. If you are making your own Absinthe from a kit, you need to look at the bottle of Everclear or vodka that you are using.