Two of my favourite things to celebrate the end of birthday week.
Some Absinthe (which makes the heart grow fonder) to kindle the creative spirit (thanks Kirsten for the gift),
and even though it was freezing cold and raining today, pork ribs. They were cooked to perfection by my brother Andrew, who unexpectedly arrived last night from Johannesburg to join my birthday celebrations.
Absinthe from Jorgensen Distillery in Wellington
On Saturday we spent a wonderful afternoon with Dawn and Roger Jorgensen, owners of the wonderful Jorgensen Distillery in Wellington. They have a remarkable selection of spirits that are distilled on their farm, with almost all ingredients organic, and many of them grown on their own farm.
They are both wonderful people, and it amazing to spend time with such people so passionate about their art (and after the afternoon, I am convinced that it is indeed an art, even sometimes bordering on alchemy). We tasted some of their 67% proof absinthe served traditionally over sugar and a slotted spoon. After that taste, I am hooked. It is a remarkable drink that defies description, suffice to say it is a life-changing taste. A little like French Pasties mixed with the herbal flavours of Jagermeister, although that is bar far not a fair description.
Absinthe from Jorgensen Distillery in Wellington
Absinthe is not the only drink they make, the also have a yummy gin, vodka, limoncello, and a very interesting bay liqueur (and plenty of others as well). Lois loved their chilli vodka, but that is only for really serious chilli eaters (and for me to say that is something). But after all, Lois is the chilli queen.
Gin from Jorgensen Distillery in Wellington
Needless to say, we left the distillery a little heavier, with the sound of glass bottles clinking on the back seat of our car.
The bad news is this is specialist stuff, it is not in every bottle store. The good news is that some specialise shops sell their spirits, and you can buy online from their website, so no excuse not to buy and try for yourself.
Now, where did I put the sugar cubes?
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