What is Lucid®?

Lucid is the first genuine absinthe made with real Grande Wormwood to be legally available in the United States in over 95 years. Lucid is made with a full measure of Grande Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) as well as other fine European herbs.

What defines a ‘genuine’ absinthe?

In accordance with the views of absinthe experts in Europe and the US, a genuine absinthe is always distilled directly from a mixture of whole herbs in alcohol, which should be a neutral spirit of agricultural origin. It should never be cold mixed from industrial extracts or steam distilled essences or oils. To be true to tradition, the herbs must include Grande Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), as well as European green anise and sweet fennel, and can include other culinary herbs. An authentic absinthe verte receives its traditional green color directly from the whole herbs, and should never be colored with artificial colorants or chemicals (e.g., FD&C dyes). Genuine absinthe should never contain sugar as bottled, so it should not be classified as a liqueur. Finally, a quality, genuine French absinthe will always contain a higher concentration of alcohol to preserve its herbal content and natural green color, 60-72% being typical.

Is Lucid an authentic absinthe?

Yes. Lucid is prepared in accordance with the same standards as pre-ban absinthes. It is historically accurate in EVERY detail.

Isn’t it true that you were required to reduce or eliminate some of the Grande Wormwood or some other ingredients in order to gain US approval for Lucid?

Absolutely FALSE! Despite what some media outlets have incorrectly reported, Lucid contains a full measure – that is a historically accurate amount – of real, high quality Grande Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium). The resulting amount of thujone in Lucid is also comparable to many pre-ban absinthes. Lucid is completely authentic in every detail.

Does Lucid contain thujone?

Yes. Lucid contains an amount of thujone that is comparable to many pre-ban absinthes, many of which would have passed modern US regulations. Any product that comes to the US containing Grande Wormwood must also meet those same requirements, which are similar to the requirements of many other countries. According to extensive research conducted by T.A. Breaux and others in the scientific community, the thujone content of vintage absinthe was actually much lower than has been commonly believed. Breaux and others acquired dozens of vintage bottles of absinthe from estate sales and auctions and applied modern chemical analysis actually testing the thujone content of these absinthes to reach this conclusion. This research has been well documented and the findings remain generally undisputed.

Is Wormwood responsible for hallucinations or is this a myth?

The reputation of Wormwood as a hallucinogen was promoted by many of the forces seeking to demonize absinthe in the early 1900s. It is generally regarded to be a myth. In any event, if you consume Lucid responsibly and in moderation, there should be no unusual effects.