A creepy and potent drink for the spookiest night of the year, the Death in the Afternoon cocktail was invented by author Ernest Hemingway in 1935 and is an effervescent mix of absinthe and Champagne for a bold, spine-tingling serve.

We made ours the traditional way with the light anise aromas of Two Birds Absinthe and chilled Champagne, but you could also use a Prosecco and sweeten it slightly with a sugar syrup.

Death in the Afternoon Recipe

30ml Two Birds Absinthe
Chilled Champagne

Pour the absinthe into a chilled Champagne or coupe glass and top with ice cold Champagne. A garnish is not required but the addition of lemon peel nicely balances the ingredients.

The history of absinthe

Absinthe was hugely popular in the late 19th and early 20th Century among Parisian artists and writers, of which Hemingway was one. It was the spirit of bohemian culture and opposed by social conservatives and prohibitionists. In fact, by 1915 it was banned in the United States and in much of Europe as it was believed to be dangerously addictive, although this was unproven. Today, it is enjoying a renaissance after studies cast doubt on these earlier beliefs. It is, however, a spirit not for the fainthearted. Our own Two Birds Absinthe has an ABV of 70%, which places it as one of the most strongest spirits you can buy.