17 Best Absinthe Cocktails

Ahhhhh… Absinthe cocktails. I know how silly it sounds, but there’s a part of me that loves absinthe cocktails simply because of their names.

It also could be because absinthe was illegal in the United States for much of my early drinking years. 

Seriously, though, how cool (and creepy) are these names? Death in the Afternoon. Necromancer. Corpse Reviver. Chrysanthemum. Smoke and Mirrors. 

I’m sorry, but most cocktails don’t get awesome names like those. And that is precisely why I love drinking absinthe cocktails.

Also, in case you’ve never had it, absinthe is a gorgeous, bright green drink (“The Green Fairy”) that tastes strongly of black licorice, thanks to the anise.

Easy Absinthe Cocktails & Drink Recipes

1. Absinthe Suissesse

Starting things off strong, this drink is very robust and absinthe-forward.

You’ll add anisette (an anise-flavored liqueur) and orange flower water. Together they add an extra layer of fruity liquorice.

There’s also an egg white, giving it wonderful body. Plus a splash of white creme de menthe for sweetness.

It’s kind of hard to describe the taste overall. You’ll just have to make it yourself!

Ingredients: absinthe, anisette, egg white, orange flower water, white creme de menthe

2. Chrysanthemum

If you’re looking for a light, slightly spiced aperitif with a delicate flavor and a somewhat low alcohol content, the chrysanthemum is the drink for you.

Unlike most drinks, which use dry vermouth as little more than an afterthought, that’s the base for this dry, gentle drink.

It’s a great before-dinner drink, but it’s so tasty and mild that you’ll probably want another one after dinner, too! 

Ingredients: dry vermouth, Benedictine, absinthe, orange twist

3. Death in the Afternoon

Ernest Hemingway was a notorious drinker, so if he invented a drink, you know it’s good and strong. Death in the afternoon is both. 

It’s a simple, three-ingredient drink that combines absinthe, simple syrup, and champagne (or Prosecco). 

It’s beautifully bubbly and has a sweetened black licorice taste that every fan of the ropy candy will adore.

Its eerie, monster-green color also makes it ideal for Halloween celebrations.

Ingredients: absinthe, champagne or prosecco, simple syrup

4. Necromancer

Despite the devastatingly spooky name, this drink is surprisingly light and aromatic.

The alcohol content is reasonably strong, so it packs a nice punch. But the drink’s flavor and smell are just delightful.

That’s thanks to the sweet wine and falernum (which has notes of ginger, lime, and almond).

Ingredients: absinthe, rhum agricole (or simple syrup), grapefruit juice, Cocchi Americano, falernum

5. Absinthe Frappe

Coffee lovers, don’t get too excited just yet. 

This frappe is a frappe in the traditional definition of the word: “an iced beverage that has been shaken, blended or beaten to produce a tasty, foamy, and refreshing drink.”

There’s no coffee in it – just absinthe, ice, simple syrup, and a mint sprig. It’s cold, minty fresh, and heavily licorice-flavored.

Ingredients: absinthe, simple syrup, crushed ice, gin

6. Fairy Godmother

Because people often call absinthe “the green fairy,” many absinthe cocktails have the word “fairy” in their names. 

The fairy godmother is a combination of absinthe, elderflower liqueur, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and lime juice.

It has a sweet, tropical, citrusy flavor and smells fantastic.

Don’t let the drink’s sweet, floral-like flavor deceive you, though.

It’s a seriously strong drink, and you won’t need more than one or two to feel the buzz.

Ingredients: absinthe, elderflower liqueur, pineapple, lemon, lime

7. Garden Fairy

If ever a mixed drink could be called “garden fresh,” the garden fairy would be the one. 

Thanks to the cucumber liqueur, lime juice, grapefruit bitters, and aquavit (made from potatoes), the garden fairy tastes like someone tossed their whole garden in the blender. 

It has a clean, fresh taste, and of all the absinthe cocktails on the list, this one probably tastes the least like absinthe. 

So if anise-flavored drinks aren’t your thing, this might be the absinthe cocktail for you.

Ingredients: absinthe, cucumber liqueur, lime juice, aqauvit, Suze, grapefruit bitters

8. Original Sazerac

Although you’ll only use absinthe to rinse your glass when making the Sazerac, I couldn’t leave this classic drink off the list. 

To me, absinthe and New Orleans go hand-in-hand, and this is the New Orleans mixed drink.

It’s a slightly sweet, primarily bitter drink that tastes strongly of alcohol (in this case, cognac, though you can make it with whiskey, as well). 

Ingredients: absinthe, cognac, simple syrup, Peychaud’s bitters, lemon peel

9. Green Beast

How did this drink get its name?

One sip, and you’ll get it!

There’s a hint of citrus and sugar, but the absinthe is the total star of the show. It’s smooth and fresh when mixed with ice and water, though.

Ingredients: absinthe, simple syrup, lime juice, water, cucumber slice

10. Corpse Reviver 

As you might have guessed from their similar names, the corpse reviver and the necromancer are pretty alike in terms of both taste and ingredients. 

While strong, the corpse reviver isn’t quite as potent as the necromancer.

But they both have the same sweet, citrusy, lightly floral, and anise flavor. 

Ingredients: gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, dry vermouth or Lillet Blanc, absinthe

11. Absinthe Mojito

This absinthe drink is just what you think it is – a cool and refreshing minty mojito with absinthe.

It’s just as fresh and loaded with ice and sugar. But that kick of absinthe is such a delicious change from the norm.

It’s not overly sweet, but if you prefer a more sugary drink, you can always add a bit more sugar. 

Ingredients: absinthe, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, ice, sparkling water

12. Smoke and Mirrors

The smoke and mirrors is basically a daiquiri, but it has an absinthe and mint twist to it.

It’s super simple to make, requiring just a few minutes of work. 

The drink is best when served as icy cold as you can get it.

It’s a light-colored drink with a bubbly top, and it almost looks like light beer in the glass.

In fact, it’s hard to believe that such a depth of flavor can come from something so pale.

Ingredients: Islay Scotch, scotch whiskey, lime juice, simple syrup, absinthe

13. Sleepy Hollow Absinthe

A quick little note on me: If you ever set down a drink in front of me that has something smoking in it, I’ll love it, even if it tastes abysmally bad.

The creepy aesthetic is just way too cool for me not to like it. Fortunately for me (and for everyone else who tastes it), this drink tastes as good as it looks.

Since you’ll only use the absinthe to coat the glass, the drink doesn’t have a strong anise flavor.

Instead, it tastes spicy and smoky and just a little bitter.

Ingredients: absinthe, mezcal, allspice dram, Angostura bitters, rosemary sprig

14. Inside Job Cocktail

The inside job is sweet and smoky, but it’s a little hard to describe beyond that. 

Have you ever seen a movie where a frustrated man sits down at a bar, orders a drink, knocks it back in one gulp, and then slams his empty glass down sharply on the table? 

Of course, you have; we all have. It’s pretty much a staple of any drama or action movie.

Well, that’s what this drink tastes like — whatever that man on TV is drinking.

Ingredients: bourbon, maraschino liqueur, sugar syrup, Angostura bitters, absinthe

15. Neptune’s Wrath

This mostly sour, somewhat herby, and lightly anise-flavored drink is strong, sharp, and not for everyone. It’s a bit of an acquired taste.

I suppose it’s called Neptune’s wrath because of the sea-like colors of the ingredients used to make it. 

However, once you mix everything, there’s not much of a color to it. It looks more like an extremely light lemonade with a bit of froth at the top. 

You might actually feel a little cheated that it doesn’t look more like stormy waves.

The bright, interesting taste will soon give you something else to ponder, though.

Ingredients: gin, absinthe, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, green chartreuse

16. Foghorn Cocktail

There are three primary flavors in a foghorn cocktail: gin, ginger, and absinthe. If you like one or all of those things, you’ll like this drink.

If you don’t, you might want to find another absinthe cocktail to try.

Of course, it’s simple enough to make.

All you’ll need is Rutte dry gin, triple sec, Lillet Blanc, La Fee Parisienne absinthe (or your own favorite brand), and chilled water or ice.

It takes practically no time to make, even if you add the cute lemon peel twist for a garnish.

Ingredients: dry gin, triple sec, Lillet blanc, absinthe, chilled water

17. Absinthe Drip

And last, but certainly not least, we have the absinthe drip.

This is the traditional way to drink absinthe (similar to how Johnny Depp’s character drinks it in the bathtub in From Hell, only without the laudanum drip).

For this method, you’ll need absinthe, a sugar cube, a slotted spoon, and ice-cold water.

Pour your absinthe into the glass, then set the sugar cube on top of the slotted spoon.

Slowly drip the cold water onto the sugar cube so that it melts into your glass.

This sweetens the absinthe and waters it down just enough so that the intense anise flavor isn’t overwhelming.

Ingredients: absinthe, sugar cube, water