The reputation and history of the absinthe is something quite fascinating. The green drink that was once adored and celebrated by bohemians and European artists during the 19th century, was banned and prohibited from 1910′s onwards for being considered an “addictive psychoactive drug”. The distilled beverage – produced from the herbs grande wormwood, fennel and green anise – had a very high level of alcohol at that time.

Since mid 1990s, however, the production and trade of the drink was re-authorized in some countries. The rule behind it was that the absinthe should be produced with a different concentration of components in relation to its original recipe.

This was the moment in time when the architect Hermann Plöckl saw an opportunity to open a shop specialized in the drink. Absinth Depot  was born in Berlin in 2000 with more than 150 different absinthe brands. In between hundreds of bottles in the shop it is also possible to find everything related to absinthe like vintage absinthe fountains and perforated spoons. Not to mention the interior design, created by Mr. Plöckl himself.

The shop is like a travel in time, straight into the Belle Époque with its flowered golden wallpapers and posters in the Jugenstil (Art Nouveau) style. The ideal place for a drink while discussing philosophy with Friedrich Nietzsche or art with Gustav Klimt. Salut to la fée verte!

Photos: Hermano Silva © 2011