Death in the Afternoon

““Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly.””

— Death in the Afternoon by Ernest Hemingway

This drink is as effortless as a gin and tonic. As the Champagne is added, the absinthe will louche, turning a milky, opaque color. Anise-based spirits contain compounds that are only soluble in alcohol, so as Champagne is added, it disrupts the chemical balance, causing these compounds to become visible.

It’s believed that Ernest Hemingway created this drink while in France, but we’ve adjusted his ratio to be less absinthe-forward. Feel free to tweak it to your own preference!

Death in the Afternoon
makes 1 cocktail

shopping list —

• .5 to 1 oz absinthe

• 4 oz chilled Brut Champagne

equipment —

• coupe glass

steps —

1. Pour the absinthe into a coupe. Top with Champagne.