Balancier (See-Saw) - Single Server Dripper

A must-have for any Absintheur, this Balancier is another way of adding water and sugar to a traditional absinthe. Balanciers were made famous by Cusenier, one of the most well-known absinthe distillers, before the French absinthe ban of 1915.

The balanciers were originally referred to as an Auto Verseur or "see-saw" due to the lever motion. When added inside the cone, water would stream through a small hole at its bottom and onto the center of a lever below. The lever created a see-saw motion from this stream, dispersing the water into the absinthe.

These pieces were considered very modern at the time. Before their invention, almost all absinthes were made by slowly pouring water from a carafe onto a piece of sugar, held by a spoon, lying across the rim of a glass with absinthe. With the invention of various brouilleurs, like the balancier, the preparer no longer had to hold the ice-water-filled carafe and slowly pour the water onto the sugar. Instead, water was poured into the cone, and the Balancier did the work. Hince the name, Auto-Verseur.

* Glass, spoon, and sugar in photos are sold separately.

• Stainless Steel.
• Completely handmade.
• Measures 4.75" (12.1 cm) tall.
• Measures approximately 3" (7.6 cm) in diameter.
• Legs can be carefully adjusted to accommodate a variety of glasses.
• Imported.

The Balancier can be used with or without a spoon. To use with a spoon, pour a dose of absinthe into an absinthe glass. The amount depends on the glass size, but it is usually one ounce. Then, lay an absinthe spoon across the rim of the glass and a sugar cube atop the spoon. The Balancier is then placed on the rim of the glass over the spoon, with the lever located over the sugar cube or cubes. Ice water is then added inside the reservoir. Once the water begins to pass through a small hole at the bottom of the reservoir, it streams onto the lever, creating a see-saw motion dispensing the water onto the sugar cube, thus falling into the glass of absinthe. All absinthes should be made to one's personal preference. Add more water or sugar if you prefer. Remove and enjoy! This piece is meant to be used for a single serving.

To use the Balancier without a spoon, the sugar is dropped into the reservoir, and cold water is poured in small increments. The sugary water will pass through the hole at its bottom onto the lever and be disbursed in the glass of absinthe below.