The Perigord absinthe glass in two lines
This is the Perigord absinthe glass, a replica of the French cafe glass of the Belle Epoque: 190ml of capacity at 14cm tall, the most compact format in absinthe service.
Who it is for
For a bar that wants the historical piece on the counter. It is the glass you see on French posters of the late nineteenth century, and in a venue working on that period it tells a story before it is even used. It also works as a glass for bitters and for vertical aperitifs, where the narrow shape concentrates the aroma.
One hundred and ninety millilitres, and the dilution they allow
With a 30ml measure and four parts water you reach 150ml, which sits comfortably in a 190ml glass. With five parts you reach 180 and finish level with the rim, so the Perigord absinthe glass is the format for serving the spirit more concentrated, at three to four parts, which is also how they drink it across the bar in France. Anyone who prefers the long aperitif serve goes for the larger format.
Specifications
- Capacity: 190ml
- Height: 14cm
- Material: glass
- Style: replica of the French cafe glass
- Weight: 0.3kg
The ritual, in four movements
Spirit in the bottom, 20 or 30ml. Iced water poured in a thin stream down the wall, three to four times the volume of the spirit. The liquid clouds as the water falls, and you stop when the veil is full and even. Sugar, if it is wanted, dissolves in the water on the way down and is not added afterwards, when it simply sits at the bottom.
Why the water goes in cold
Because temperature decides how fine the emulsion is. With iced water the essential oils leave the solution as very small droplets and stay in suspension, and the veil is even and stable; with water at room temperature the droplets are larger, the veil is thinner and an oily film shows on the surface. It is the same principle by which an anise liqueur served over ice looks different from one lengthened with tap water.
Why the small format came back into use
Because absinthe is nearly always drunk standing at the bar rather than at the table, in a single measure and often late in the evening. In that setting a 190ml glass serves better than a large one: it takes the space of a stemmed glass, it is carried in one hand along with the water, and the shorter dilution leaves the spirit recognisable to whoever ordered it for that reason. The Perigord absinthe glass also covers two guests in a row without taking up half the bar top, which is what happens with the wide formats.
Care
Smooth glass, so washing is straightforward, in the dishwasher or by hand. The real rule is drying: on a Perigord absinthe glass you watch the liquid cloud, and a glass with water marks ruins the very thing being watched. Linen or microfibre cloth, and loaded with space around it because the narrow foot makes it unsteady.
FAQ
How much does the Perigord absinthe glass hold? One hundred and ninety millilitres, at 14cm tall.
How does it differ from the larger format? In capacity: here the comfortable dilution is three to four parts water, not five.
Is it a historical glass? It is a replica of the classic French cafe glass of the Belle Epoque.
Can it be used for anything else? Yes, for bitters and aperitifs served neat or with little dilution.
Is it dishwasher safe? Yes, taking care over drying and loading it with space around it.
The more you buy, the less you pay: 4 pieces -5%, 6 -7%, 8 -10%, on the same item.
Dispatched from Rome, Italy. 15-day returns, free of charge. Questions before you order? Message us on WhatsApp on +39 351 929 6937.
The other glasses and the accessories for the service are in the absinthe accessories category.
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