Cocktails made great by absinthe

Unlike other spirits, absinthe uniquely has multiple applications in cocktails:

• Base spirit.
• Aromatic modifier deployed in dashes like a bitters.
• Rinse (swirled around the inside of a glass and then discarded before the cocktail is strained into the absinthe-rinsed glass.
• Mist (sprayed over the finished cocktail from an atomiser).

Absinthe Colada

How brilliantly and seductively creamy coconut tames absinthe and rhum agricole makes this colada served frappé dangerous.

Absinthe Daiquiri

It's surprising both how much absinthe you can use in this bite-sized cocktail and then how much sugar is needed to tame it. Hit the balance and all these

Absinthe Negroni

Strangely, this bittersweet cocktail suits this receptacle, and it perhaps provokes more attention than a coupe may afford.

Absinthe Spider Highball

Absinthe and ginger ale combine well in this refreshing highball.

Corpse Reviver No.2 (Duffy's/Gaige's recipe)

For an equal-parts recipe, this Corpse Reviver variation is brilliantly balanced and delicious.

Depth Charge (Savoy recipe)

Wet Martini-like with pronounced quinine. A hot weather Martini, perhaps. I tried the Depth Charge with various proportions of Lillet Blanc and Kina L'Aéro

Grasshopper No. 2

A mezcal and amaro-influenced riff on the classic Grasshopper.

Improved Whiskey Cocktail

An Old-Fashioned improved by the addition of a little maraschino liqueur and absinthe.

In-Seine

Elderflower liqueur mellows and boosts the brandy's floral notes, while dashes of absinthe balance sweetness and add aniseed notes.

La Louisiane

A rye-based Sweet Manhattan made even sweeter with herbal Bénédictine liqueur and bittered with Peychaud's and absinthe. Originally made with equal parts

Mai Tai (Difford's recipe)

I love Daiquiris and this is basically a classic Daiquiri with a few bells and whistles: orange curaçao, lime juice, almond syrup, amaretto, falernum,

McKinley's Delight

A cherry brandy influenced Sweet Manhattan with extra complexity courtesy of a dash of absinthe.

Minnie the Moocher

Spirit-forward and just on the rich side, this late-night sipper delivers satisfying botanical complexity. Before serving to others, practice this cocktail's

Neptune's Wrath

Last Word-like with egg-white smoothing the way for a noticeable slug of absinthe.

Obituario

Whisps of mezcal mingle with herbaceous tequila, rich vinous vermouth and delicate aniseed and liquorice.

Old Fashioned Appetizer

A fruity Old Fashioned meets a Sweet Manhattan.

Pan American Clipper

Essentially, a Jack Rose with a couple of dashes of absinthe. (If making this with bonded-strength applejack in place of calvados, then knock back to 50ml.)

Parmenides

A sour-style cocktail served straight-up combining brandy, Green Chartreuse, white wine and lemon.

Sazerac (Difford's split base)

If you are rightly concerned about chucking expensive absinthe down the drain then consider straining into a shot glass and serve on the side. The roughly

Sunflower

Elderflower liqueur replaces aromatised wine in this riff on a classic Corpse Reviver No.2. This means the bitter oils from the lemon zest twist are crucial

Tuxedo (Difford's recipe)

Inspired by the numerous other Tuxedo recipes, this combines the best of them with a faint hint of sweetness (from the bianco vermouth and old tom gin)

Wiffin

A little dilution from a good stir helps tame this spirit-forward aperitivo or late-night sipper, which mellows and becomes more pleasurable as you sip.

Yuliya Martini

It's surprising what influence just 2.5ml of Crème de Peche has on this subtly flavoured vodka-based cocktail, particularly if you omit the grapefruit

Zombie

Powerful funky rum and delicate cinnamon spice partially tamed by rich fruit and sweetened clove.