Should a Solo Female Traveler Drink Absinth?

Should a solo female traveler drink absinth? I asked myself that question before booking an Airbnb Experience of an absinth tasting in Berlin, Germany.

Absinth Tasting - An Airbnb Experience at Druide Bar, Berlin, Germany, March 8, 2019
Stefan, of Druide Bar, Prepares Absinth for Consumption, Berlin, Germany.

My Previous Airbnb Experience Was Safe

Why was I second-guessing this decision? After all, a year prior, I met a strange man in a Berlin forest and had a fantastic time. It was an Airbnb Experience and I spent an amazing morning with a professional dogwalker learning about the dynamics of a dog pack and some commands.

Absinth Tasting - An Airbnb Experience at Druide Bar, Berlin, Germany, March 8, 2019
The Four Absinth I Sampled at Druide Bar in Berlin, Germany.

Does Absinth Spark Creativity?

“It’ll f@#$ you up,” people said to me when I told them about the upcoming absinth tasting.

Artist Vincent Van Gogh and authors Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway all drank the alcoholic beverage and perhaps it sparked creativity. It’s nickname is “la fée verte,” or, Green Fairy, and appropriately, the Green Muse.

Most absinth are bottled at 70 percent alcohol or higher. It contains a psychoactive ingredient called thujone which is from wormwood, along with anise and fennel.

An Absinth Spoon I Received with the Airbnb Experience of an Absinth Tasting.

A Brief History of Absinth

Absinth has a complicated history so the abbreviated version is, the liquor originated in Switzerland in 1797. The liquor was banned in most of Europe in the early 1900s and the United States in 1912. Several countries lifted the ban in early 2000 and in 2007, absinth was legalized in the United States.

Prost! Tasting Absinth in Druide Bar, Berlin, Germany.
Prost! Tasting Absinth in Druide Bar, Berlin, Germany.

So, Should a Solo Female Traveler Drink Absinth?

Knowing this, should a solo female traveler drink absinth? My concern with participating in the tasting was the fear of losing my inhibitions. After reading the reviews about the absinth tasting experience on Airbnb, I decided yes, it was safe and. The location is near a U-Bahn station and early enough in the evening that I would be safe. Plus, I planned on enjoying dinner beforehand and reasoned I know my limits when it comes to alcohol.

Sidebar: Check out the post “A Solo Female Traveler’s Guide to Drinking Alone” by Amy of The Wayfarersbook.com for some great tips.

Absinth Tasting - An Airbnb Experience at Druide Bar, Berlin, Germany, March 8, 2019
Some of the Absinth Collection at Druide Bar in Berlin, Germany.

Wowza! What a Collection at Druide Bar in Berlin

Druide Bar in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood was the setting of the tasting. Host and bar co-owner Stefan said it holds Europe’s largest collection of absinth. During this hour-long experience, I sampled four different absinthes each prepared a different way and each had its own unique flavor. Before taking my first sip, Stefan provided an overview of the beverage. He also assured me drinking four glasses in an hour would not harm me.

A fanciful way absinth is prepared uses a spoon, a sugar cube, and a flame. Stefan placed a sugar cube on a spoon which rested over a glass. He lit the cube and I watched as the blue-ish flame melted the sugar. Another way was dripping water over a sugar cube. Three of the spirits tasted like licorice which is from the anise and fennel. The fourth tasted like cloves and cinnamon.

Did absinth f@#$ me up? No. Definitely not. Well, I don’t think so. Um. I really didn’t feel a buzz or anything really. I hopped on the Berlin U-Bahn (rapid transit railway) back to my hotel thinking everything was okay. Except, the train cars in front and behind the car I was sitting appeared to be seriously moving up and down and side to side. It was almost as if they were hovering over the track. Were they? Or had absinth tickled my brain?

Absinth Tasting - An Airbnb Experience at Druide Bar, Berlin, Germany, March 8, 2019

Nuts & Bolts About Druide Bar’s Absinth Tasting

Druide Bar serves more than absinthe and is a terrific German neighborhood bar steps away from the Eberswalder Straße U-Bahn station. Look for the experience on Airbnb. When you participate in this Airbnb Experience, an absinthe spoon is included.

Druide Bar
Schoenhauser Aller 42
Berlin 10435
Tel: 011.49.30.48494777

Flying Monkey Dim Su Bar in Berlin, Germany, March 8, 2019
Looking for a Place to Eat in Berlin, Germany? The Flying Monkey Serves Delicious Dumplings!

Where to Eat in Berlin Near Druide Bar

Druide Bar is near plenty of eateries, especially ones with Middle Eastern influence. I decided on The Flying Monkey which is a dim sum bar and it was fantastic! It’s cash only and the dim sum dumplings are tasty. They do take a bit to prepare so plan on a leisurely meal. I ordered the “Holy Duck!” which is “Chinese-style grilled duck on mien noodles, plus a soup of spicy chicken stock” and an order of dumplings. Yum!

The Flying Monkey
Kastanienallee 15
10435 Berlin
Tel: 001.49.30.37475564
www.flyingmonkeyberlin.com

Video of My Absinth Tasting Airbnb Experience

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Solo Travel Girl

Jennifer A. Huber is the voice behind Solo Travel Girl. She's an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. In 2023, she was a finalist in AARP's Benefits Badass competition. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

2 thoughts on “Should a Solo Female Traveler Drink Absinth?

  1. Absinth seems interesting to me. I would definitely try this in future. Glad you shared your experience

Comments are closed.

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