National Absinthe Day

Celebrated on 03/05/2026

Quick Fact

National Absinthe Day is celebrated on March 5th each year, commemorating the date in 1915 when Belgium banned absinthe, one of the first countries to do so. Despite its notorious reputation, absinthe was never proven to be more dangerous than other spirits, and its supposed hallucinogenic effects were largely due to the high alcohol content.

Origins and Establishment of National Absinthe Day

National Absinthe Day was established by the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans in 2007. The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of Belgium's ban on absinthe in 1915, which was part of a wave of prohibitions across Europe and the United States. The day aims to celebrate the history and cultural impact of this iconic spirit, often associated with artists and writers like Vincent van Gogh and Oscar Wilde.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

After decades of prohibition, absinthe began a resurgence in the 1990s as European countries started to lift bans, and the United States followed in 2007 when the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved the sale of absinthe with thujone levels below 10 ppm. Today, National Absinthe Day is celebrated by bars, distilleries, and enthusiasts with tastings, cocktail specials, and educational events that explore the spirit's complex history and modern revival.

Facts & General Observations

• Absinthe was banned in the United States from 1912 until 2007, a prohibition that lasted nearly a century.
• The "Green Fairy" nickname comes from its natural green color, derived from chlorophyll from herbs like grande wormwood, green anise, and fennel.
• Traditional absinthe is bottled at 45–74% alcohol by volume (90–148 proof), making it one of the strongest spirits available.

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