Absinthe Returns: The Devil in a Bottle is Back!
The once-outlawed drink is legal and lethally delicious

After being banned for close to 100 years, absinthe is now legal in the United States once again. The devilish and delightful green spirit has been given many nicknames, including The Green Fairy, and it is made from the flowers and leaves of wormwood. The chosen drink of bohemians and artists, it was once rumored to cause madness in anyone who drank it-but luckily, no such fate awaits today's spirit connoisseurs.

Since its revival, absinthe has become the trendy new drink of the socialite crowd, and bars devoted solely to the green libation have sprung up across the country. If you want to join in on this new trend, or simply discover what all the fuss over this once-banned drink is all about, Brian Rosen of Sam's Wines & Spirits can explain the history of the drink and how to prepare this special spirit.

From the traditional preparation (which includes lighting the liquid on fire and the insertion of a sugar cube) to more modern interpretations of the drink, the preparation of absinthe is as diverse as its history.

Below please find unique takes on this classic drink:

Boho Madness
Ingredients:
1 shot Absinthe Original
1/2 shot curacao
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons orange juice
1 thin slice of orange

Prep:
Stir ingredients and pour over crushed ice in a deep-saucer champagne glass. Add orange slice.

Green Muse
Ingredients:
1 part of Absinthe Original
1/2 part of Jack Daniels
1/2 of gin
1/4 of Archers Peach Schnapps
1 part of Red Bull
Drop of cranberry juice.

Prep:
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into ice filled collins glass.

About Sam's Wines and Spirits: Founded in 1946, the Rosen family has built Sam's Wines and Spirits into the nation's leading independent wine and spirits retailer. President of Sam's Wines and Spirits, Brian Rosen attributes the company's success to its customer service, selection, price, and knowledgeable staff. The company has been honored by both Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator magazines as Retailer of the Year and has also earned Forbes' Best of the Web award. Sam's Wines and Spirits has four Chicago-area locations in Lincoln Park, Downers Grove, Highland Park, and the South Loop. To learn more about what Sam's Wines and Spirits has to offer visit www.samswine.com.