Babicka
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This is the world's first wormwood vodka. It contains the highest amount of thujone (the hallucinogen in wormwood that gives absinthe the reputation it has) legally allowed in Australia (10mg per kg). And whether you're a kamikaze drinker or a serious vodka enthusiast, this one's well worth a go.
This particular concoction packs a serious aniseed punch (this has to do with wormwood - a bitter herb and the primary ingredient in absinthe) and is best drunk straight. Infused with Czech absinthe and distilled in the Czech republic, there's a medicinal quality you'd find in bitters playing a big part on the front palate.
Babicka, which means ‘witch' in Czech, is also a name used for the grandmothers who pick the wormwood up in the Czech hillsides who are reputed to make both medicine and tonics as well as mysterious potions that were said to have had hallucinogenic qualities.
Smelling it, you might be mistaken for thinking it was a brandy similar tp grappa or marc but once you taste it, you'll find a crisp cleanness to it that vodka has while remaining aromatic and slightly perfumed on the tongue. It would be a waste in a mixed drink but could make a very interesting (albeit deadly) variation on a traditional Monkey Gland (gin, orange juice, grenadine and absinthe).
You may not see little green fairies drinking this but as long as Czechoslovakian grandmothers don't start materialising in front of your eyes you're fairly safe. Best imbibed straight and slow.
Drink it at:
Will and Toby's 134 Oxford St Darlinghurst 2010. (02 9331 3467)
Victoria Room 1st floor 235 Victoria St Darlinghurst 2010. (02 9357 4488).
Buy it at: Chatswood Cellars; 282 Victoria Ave Chatswood 2057 (02 9411 4038). $65