New Orleans and The Old Absinthe House Celebrate 200years.

New Orleans is steeped in rich history and is now one of the most visited cities in America, with many major attractions, ranging from 19th Century stately mansions to the French Quarter’s notorious night life. It is the home to arguably the worlds’ oldest cocktail, the Sazerac which is traditionally served with absinthe, and the historic ‘Old Absinthe House’

The Old Absinthe House sits at the corner of Bourbon Street and Bienville in the heart of The French Quarter, New Orleans. This historic building was built in 1807 and was initially used as an importing firm. In 1815 the ground floor was converted into a saloon known as “Aleix’s Coffee House” which was renamed “The Absinthe Room” following the invention of the “Old Absinthe House Frappe” by mixologist Cayetano Ferrér in 1874. Before the bans of 1912 many came to visit and enjoy their favourite absinthe at the famous bar including writers and artists such as Oscar Wilde and Ernest Hemingway.

Over the years The Old Absinthe House has become one of New Orleans’ most prominent social scenes and recently celebrated its 200th birthday. To coincide with the celebrations the two antique marble fountains, once used to drip cool water over sugar into glasses of absinthe, were brought back to life for the first time in nearly a Century. Working just as well as they did 150 years ago party goers enjoyed watching their absinthe, which on this occasion was the traditional La Fée Absinthe Parisienne, being served in the original way.

A giant cake was specially made for the occasion depicting The Old Absinthe House and Jober’t Salem, president and owner of The Old Absinthe House, and George Rowley, CEO of La Fée took great pleasure in cutting the cake with a three foot sword followed with a toast of La Fée and live jazz bands to complete the absinthe celebrations.

‘Calling cards adorn the walls of The Old Absinthe House, so if you visit don’t forget yours and join the many others who have given testimony to The Old Absinthe House’s motto “Everyone you have known or ever will know, eventually ends up at The Old Absinthe House”’