This popular Eiffel Tower absinthe spoon is a reproduction of an absinthe spoon made to commemorate the introduction of the Eiffel Tower at the Exposition Universelle, a World's Fair held in Paris, France in 1889. The part of the spoon featuring the Eiffel Tower is referred to as the grille. The spoon is designed to lay across the rim of the glass and a sugar cube is placed in the center of its grille. Ice water is slowly dripped from an absinthe fountain, carafe or balancier onto the piece of sugar. As the sugar water drips from the spoon into the glass of absinthe the mixture begins to cloud to an opalescent white, with a tint of green or yellow. This effect is called the "louche" (pronounced loosh and means cloudy or hazy in French). This occurs when the essential oils are not able to disperse in the water, therefore creating a clouding effect. Besides this change in appearance, the air becomes perfumed with the fragrance of anise, fennel and grande wormwood, as the oils are released. Once the sugar has been dissolved on the spoon by the water, the absinthe can be sampled and the strength and taste can be adjusted by adding more water or sugar. The mix ratio is according to preference, usually 1 part absinthe to 3 to 5 parts water. The amount of sugar used is also to taste. Besides adding to the overall flavor of the drink, sugar has been traditional used to help mask the bitterness of the grande wormwood.
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