New York City welcomed not one but two different Immersive Van Gogh Exhibits this summer: The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit, and Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience. Both offer animated projections of Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpieces, including “The Starry Night” and “Sunflowers,” but Immersive Van Gogh has something the other does not: an absinthe bar.
The Secret Absynthe Bar was initially accessible just to exhibit visitors during event hours, but was scheduled to get a full liquor license in mid July so that it could open every day. Cocktails include the Absente Ritual, which is Absente Absinthe Refined diluted with water poured over a sugar cube; Absente Spritz, with Absente Absinthe, Champagne and simple syrup; Absinthe Sazarac, with Absente Absinthe, Cognac, Peychaud’s bitters and simple syrup; and The Green Fairy, with absinthe, gin, lemon juice, Lillet Blanc and St. Germain (see below for full recipe).
The potent, anise-flavored absinthe was known to be the beverage of choice for Van Gogh and other artists and writers of his time. It was nicknamed the Green Fairy in party for its supposed hallucinogenic properties. The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit, held at Pier 36, a 75,000-sq. ft. space in New York’s Lower East Side, opened June 10 and runs through Labor Day weekend.
The Green Fairy
Ingredients
- ¾ oz. Absente Absinthe Refined
- ¼ oz. Gin
- ¾ oz. Lemon juice
- ¾ oz. Lillet Blanc
- ¾ oz. St. Germain elderflower liqueur
Instructions
- Add ingredients into cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake.
- Strain into glass over ice.
- Garnish with thin lemon slice.
