Parisienne Bliss is my easy absinthe cocktail of absinthe, tequila, lime juice and simple syrup. Super easy, super delicious! Non absinthe lovers – you’re going to love this one!
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
What is Absinthe?
Absinthe is a (usually) green coloured spirit that was created in Switzerland at the start of the 19th century. It has a rather colourful history and an almost mythological status amongst its fans, having been banned in the US and Europe for over 100 years.
It has a very strong anise-liquorice flavour, so if you’re not a fan of this spice or sweet, it’s going to be an acquired taste. Its predominant herbal flavour is a reflection of the herbs that go into its distillation. Besides anise, fennel and wormwood, absinthe may also have, depending on the manufacturer, lemon balm, hyssop and other herbs.
More on absinthe in a post all on its own soon, I promise.
Parisienne Bliss Cocktail
Confession time. I’m afraid I am one of those folks who detests liquorice with a vengeance. And I’m not a huge fan of anise and fennel either! So I don’t enjoy absinthe on its own (diluted with water and sugar). But I do like absinthe cocktails, with just a hint of it in the background.
So today’s cocktail, Parisienne Bliss, was concocted just over this past weekend, after a long day of filming, and I wanted something quick and easy.
All we need is (contains affiliate links):
- a good quality absinthe, I’m using La Fée Parisienne Absinthe (hence the name of the cocktail)
- tequila blanco, I’m using Olmeca Altos Tequila Plata
- Peychaud’s bitters for a little more herbal sweetness (Angosturra bitters will do too)
- lime juice
- simple syrup
- ice and a lime peel
All we do is stir everything together in a tumbler.
Parisienne Bliss Flavour
This absinthe cocktail is too easy to drink. There is a pleasant citrus and herbal aroma from the 2 spirits and the lime juice. You can taste and smell the absinthe with every sip but it’s tampered down by the tequila and lime juice.
There’s a touch of sweet about it because of the sugar syrup, which pushes back the bitter flavour of absinthe. You can increase (or decrease) the sugar syrup.
In fact, the first time I made this, I muddled a sugar cube, a little water and the bitters, before adding the spirits, along the lines of making an Old Fashioned. This still remains my favourite way to drink this absinthe cocktail.
But I thought the undissolved sugar at the bottom of the glass might not be to everyone’s taste, so I went down the syrup route the second time. But I’ll give you both options in the recipe card below.
And that’s about it. Shall we get mixing?
If you enjoy the recipe, drop me a comment and let me know. And if you are feeling like a star, don’t forget that 5-star rating!
If you make this recipe, post it on Instagram and tag me @azlinbloor and hashtag it #linsfood.
Lin xx
More Drinks & Cocktails
Parisienne Bliss (an Absinthe Cocktail)
Equipment
- 1 tumbler or glass of your choice
- 1 stirrer
- 1 muddler for the second option
- 1 Knife to slice the lime
Ingredients
Parisienne Bliss with Simple Syrup
- 3-4 ice cubes
- 30 ml absinthe
- 15 ml tequila blanco
- 3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters or Angosturra bitters
- 15 ml lime juice or more, to taste
- 15 ml simple syrup or more, to taste
- 1 lime peel for garnish
Parisienne Bliss with Sugar Cube
- 1 white sugar cube
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1 lime wedge about ¼ lime
- 3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
- 3-4 ice cubes
- 30 ml absinthe
- 15 ml tequila blanco
Homemade Simple Syrup
- 200 g white sugar
- 250 ml water
Instructions
Parisienne Bliss with Simple Syrup
- Place the ice cubes in your chosen glass.
- Add the absinthe, tequila, bitters, lime juice, simple syrup and stir.
- Twist your lime peel to extract a little of the oil and drop into your glass, stir and enjoy!
Parisienne Bliss with Sugar Cube
- Drop the lime wedge in the glass, followed by the sugar cube.
- Add the water and bitters, then using a muddler, crush the sugar cube and squash down on the lime wedge to extract the juice and oil.
- Using a stirrer, stir everything to dissolve as much sugar as you can.
- Pour the absinthe and tequila over this mix and stir to mix for about 10 seconds.
- Add the ice cubes, stir again, and enjoy.
Simple Syrup (to be made hours earlier and left to cool)
- Place the water and sugar into a small pan and bring to a simmer on medium heat.
- Simmer for 5 minutes on the lowest heat to allow the flavours to develop and the syrup to thicken.
- Take off the heat and leave to cool to room temperature.Keep any extra to use again (mind the ants). No need to refrigerate.Or turn it into this homemade Cheat's Rose Syrup.
This is interesting, I’m going to give it a try as I was just gifted a bottle of absinthe. Same brand as you have actually. Angosturra bitters will do?
Hi Liv, yes, they will, if you don’t want to or can’t get Peychaud’s.