I don't profess to be a true connoisseur. I am not one to pass judgement on anyone's personal preferences. Perhaps I'm a bit more studied than some, and I find some personal joy in being 'in the know' about certain aspects of Absinthe. But I try to be humble in my knowledge, for I'm well aware, I could learn something new at any given moment, and what I do know, in the scheme of things, is minimal.

That said...

I was at a bar the other night, a very fine establishment I might add. They had a few Absinthe cocktails on the menu and certainly seemed to know their stuff. They served St. George. My friend and I had a Sazerac, which was wonderful... we tried it prepared the 'traditional' way and we tried their 'modern' take on it... both fantastic. Anyway... my point. Since they highlighted Absinthe on the bar menu, we eavesdropped on the patrons who clearly didn't have a clue. They got all wriled up about it. Finally, one gal got the gumption to order it with her friends. The bartender brought over a beautiful fountain, and did a very nice job of presenting it... then, just before starting the water drip, he pulled out his Bic lighter and lit the sugar cube. My friend and I nearly lept from the bar in horror... 'what are you doing?!' He said 'I like to give it a nice carmelized flavor.' We shook our heads in disapproval and let him continue with his blasphemy.

We watched the georgous louche develop (full well knowing this girl would probably find it revolting because she was ordering it more on a dare than a genuine interest). Then, she sipped it. And of course, she hated it. I'm sure she didn't have a clue what to expect. Perhaps she expected something more akin to a Mint Julep? Her friends sampled it and they all grimaced. I asked her... 'would you like it better if it were sweeter? Because it's not a sin to ask the bartender to sweeten it up a bit'. She said she thought she'd like that... and the bartender then added some simple syrup (a very respectful hometown syrup brew). She sipped again and still hated it. Sharing amongst her friends, they eventually finished it.

My favorite moment... when one of her friends leaned over to me and asked 'so is it true that it's going to make her trip?' For a moment, I wanted to reply 'oh yes, and they sell acid and heroin behind the bar too if you ask real nice'. I told her 'no, your friend will be fine'.

Questions:

Am I a snob?

When you see a bartender do such a thing, is it inappropriate to call him out on it?

If someone tries it, and doesn't like it, is it okay to suggest they sweeten it up until they develop a taste for it?

And when some silly girl at the bar asks... 'is this going to make me trip?' do you tell her the truth, or do you just say 'yes, it will' then sit back and watch her freak herself out just to entertain yourself?