CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1934–1959
Death in the Afternoon
Absinthe and champagne: Hemingway’s dangerous, anise-scented sparkler.
1935Historical classicResearched
Ernest Hemingway contributed this recipe to a 1935 cocktail booklet, naming it after his bullfighting book. Absinthe is topped with champagne, producing a strong, dry, anise-scented drink. Hemingway’s instruction was to drink three to four of them slowly.
- Champagne Cocktail
- French 75
“Hemingway’s original instruction: “Drink three to five of these slowly.””
THE RECIPEDry, strong and anise-scented
Ingredients
- Absinthe30 ml
- Champagne90 ml
- Lemon peeloptional
Method
Pour the absinthe into a flute, top slowly with cold champagne and garnish with lemon peel if desired.
Flute · champagne · absinthe