The absinthe spoon in two lines
The Lumian absinthe spoon is a flat, pierced and decorated slotted spoon in stainless steel that rests across the rim of the glass. The sugar cube goes on the bowl, iced water is poured over the cube, and the piercings let it drip into the absinthe. Lumian calls it a Bitter Spoon, but it has nothing to do with bitters: it is the spoon for the absinthe ritual. Choose silver, copper or gold; copper and gold are plated on the steel.
Who it is for
For bars with absinthe on the back bar that serve it the proper way, with the glass, the sugar cube and the water at the table. The preparation takes a few minutes and happens in front of the guest: the ritual is part of what they pay for. A teaspoon laid on the glass does not balance and does not let the water through, and an unbalanced spoon that drops into the glass halfway through is seen across the room.
At home it is the piece for anyone who has just bought a first bottle of absinthe and wants to drink it as it was drunk in Paris cafés, and a gift for someone who collects drinking tools.
How an absinthe spoon works
The bowl is flat, and that is the point: laid across the mouth of the glass, it balances even with the sugar cube on top. The side edges of the bowl are raised and keep the sugar in the centre while the water soaks it. Pour the iced water over the cube in a thin, slow stream, and the piercings let it fall drop by drop into the glass instead of all at once.
The sugar dissolves and runs down with the water. When the water meets the absinthe, the spirit turns white and milky: the opalescence the French call the louche, which guests wait to see. When the pour is done, stir the remaining sugar from the bottom with the spoon itself and serve.
Specifications
- Use: preparing absinthe with a sugar cube and water
- Shape: flat pierced bowl, decorated handle
- Material: stainless steel; copper and gold plated on the steel
- Finishes: silver (L0229), copper (L0230), gold (L0231)
- Pack quantity: single piece
The absinthe spoon with the right glass
The ritual works with a glass that leaves room for the water. The 190ml Perigord absinthe glass is a replica of the French café glass; the 230ml Lyonnaise absinthe glass is decorated and larger. Everything for serving it is in the absinthe accessories category.
The more you buy, the less you pay: 4 pieces -5%, 6 -7%, 8 -10%, on the same item.
Which finish
Silver is the steel itself, and goes with any glass. Copper and gold are plated, chosen for a room that already has those tones, or for a set displayed on the back bar. Bars serving absinthe to several tables at once take one spoon per glass, in the same finish.
Care
Dissolved sugar settles in the piercings and closes them as it dries. Rinse the spoon in hot water straight after service, run a soft brush through the decoration and dry with a cloth. Use a soft sponge on the copper and gold versions. The manufacturer does not declare it dishwasher safe.
FAQ
What is an absinthe spoon for? It holds the sugar cube over the glass while iced water, poured on top, dissolves it and drips into the absinthe.
Does it balance on the glass? Yes, the bowl is flat precisely so it sits on the rim with the cube on top.
Is it the same as a bitter spoon? Lumian calls it that, but it is the slotted spoon for absinthe and is not used for bitters.
What is it made from? Stainless steel; the copper and gold finishes are plated.
Dispatched from Rome, Italy.
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