Drinkin' on the Job ... back down the Rabbit Hole, and allure of the 'Green Fairy'
Here we are … delivering on last month’s promise to bring you part II – The Sequel – of our experience down The Rabbit Hole! Once again, we headed out to West Greenville to pay Travis and team a visit and to dig a bit deeper into their special wonderland. This time, we focused our attention on “the library,” where whimsy is in overdrive!
Escape reality … even if just for a night
If you’re looking for a quiet, intimate space for a nibble and an enchanting beverage, look no further. “The Library” is the best-kept secret in the West Village! Tucked away down The Rabbit Hole’s long side hall is the door to a delightful, playful, reservations-only escape. While the bites and snacks menu mirror the main bar menu, the cocktails are next-level! We sampled a few that happened to have one thing in common … the presence of the highly potent, mysterious spirit, Absinthe. We are suckers for the enigmatic!
Here are some options – from whisper-light to full-throttle – for experiencing the allure of “the Green Fairy,”
The Rabbit Hole Sazerac
Since we are in the realm of old-fashioned fables, why not age-old beverages? This potent concoction is a bit more Queen of Hearts, less Alice … blending cognac, Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Rye, bitters and an Absinthe rinse to form a strong-and-swarthy winner of a drink. You’ll happily punch your library card for this one!!
Apollo’s Chariot
This beauty ranks up there with the best of them in our book … the perfect cocktail to cool your jets! If you’d like to venture down the rabbit hole of absinthe, this is your ticket to ride. Fennel and anise notes are prevalent, yet the flavors are bright and intoxicating. This addictive cocktail might be the reason Absinthe was illegal for so long, just sayin’!
Arsenic & Old Lace
Here is where things get a bit more serious and ramped up! Don’t let the soft lavender color fool you … this cocktail packs quite a punch with a full-on serving of Absinthe! Juniper and herb-forward small-batch Sutters Gin is balanced with the citrus notes of orange bitters, while crème de violette keeps it brisk and bright. If we are picking our poison, we are picking this velvety, smooth concoction.
Drip, drop … the allure of absinthe
Absinthe is, indeed, a highly potent beverage … but its reputation may be a smidge exaggerated. Its allure stems from rumors that it possessed psychoactive properties, leading to bans in many countries in the early 20th century. Despite being legit today (it was legalized for sale in the US in 2007 -- you read that right, just 14 years ago!), it still carries a bit of intrigue and mystery.
Part One: Drinkin' on the Job ... Down the Rabbit Hole
If you really want to take a dive into this mysterious spirit (and we highly encourage it), The Library has a most intriguing method. Ask for the “Absinthe Drip” and be amazed! As cold water drips into a glass of absinthe along with a sugar cube, the color magically changes to the most alluring green … the “Green Fairy” appears!
Reserve now for your own experience down The Rabbit Hole!
The Rabbit Hole . 1268 Pendleton Street . Greenville
This article originally appeared on Upstate Parent: Drinkin' on the Job ... back down the Rabbit Hole
