Playing Cards Absinthe Spoon

This type of spoon is among some of the oldest of all absinthe spoon designs and is commonly referred to as the "playing card spoon" because of the card designs on its grill. A grill is generally the perforated area of an absinthe spoon used to hold a piece of sugar while preparing a traditional French/Swiss absinthe. 

Absinthe spoon designs evolved over time, many becoming unique works of art, but their origins began with common household spoons. Some of the first absinthe spoons were nothing more than ordinary long spoons with small baskets attached to the middle of a long spoon, which were used to hold the pieces of sugar used to prepare the absinthe. The next phase of the spoon resembled spoons like this one, whereas the grille was incorporated into a standard spoon.

• Measures 8.07"/205mm long.
• Chrome plating over brass.
• Does not tarnish.
• Imported.

A traditional absinthe is prepared by pouring a dose of absinthe (usually an
ounce) into an absinthe glass, then placing an absinthe spoon on top of the
glass and a sugar cube atop the spoon. Ice water is slowly poured or dripped
from a fountain or carafe onto the sugar. The water dissolves the sugar, and
the cold, sugary mixture then falls from the spoon into the glass of absinthe,
releasing oils and perfuming the air with fennel, grand wormwood, and anise.
The combination also turns milky white as the water joins with the anise in the
absinthe.

Once the sugar has dissolved from the spoon, the absinthe can be sampled, and the strength and sweetness can be adjusted by adding more water or sugar to taste. The mix ratio depends on one’s liking - usually 1-part absinthe to 3 to 5 parts water.

• Dishwasher safe.