Life or Death In The Afternoon

Life or Death in the Afternoon is a tribute to Ernest Hemingway, a world-class spirits connoisseur. This is a fine example of his drinking prowess beyond mojitos and daiquiris. He and three officers of the HMS Danae created it while celebrating after an arduous, but successful sea rescue operation. They named it after Hemingway’s recently published novel – Death in the Afternoon.

The recipe is documented in a 1935 cocktail book titled So Red the Nose, or, Breath in the Afternoon. The instructions, in an unusual display of specificity advises drinking 3 to 5 of them in quick succession. Given the higher ABV of absinthe in his era it might result in death of the fool that followed the instructions to the letter.

Absinthe, also known as “the green fairy” is a highly alcoholic, naturally green spirit. It is anise flavored and created from various herbs and the leaves and flowers of wormwood. Early in the 20th century it was banned in the U.S. and Europe for it’s alleged psychoactive ingredients and hallucinatory effects. Legend has it that Lewis Carroll imagined and wrote Alice in Wonderland under its influence.

Life or Death in the Afternoon gives you, the cocktail enthusiast, a choice of the original or my modern recipe. The flavor will enthrall licorice lovers and give you a glimpse of the absinthe experience. Choose wisely!

When you add enough champagne to turn the “louche” cloudy, it’s ready. Print