1. Once upon a time there was a plant
Artemisias, the plants of a goddess
Absinthe, a holy herb
A symbol
Field trip
First Tasting
2. The origins of the drink
Discovering distillation
A popular traditional remedy
A promising start
3. Absinthe the conqueror
Army and colonies
Apéritif hour, the 19th century’s new fad
Second Tasting
4. The Bohemian Fairy
Artists’ drink
Beautiful “Belle Epoque” indeed
5. Flourishing Business
Historic distilleries
The origins of advertising
6. Fairy in Trouble
Harvest time
Murder weapon: absinthe
A substance called thujone
Absinthe in the enemy!
Third Tasting
7. Resistance
Diehards from the Vallon
The delicious flavor of the forbidden
Inventions galore
An impromptu visit
8. A blessed period
The hazy role of the authorities
The business of prohibition
Meanwhile, in France
Ice Cream for a President
9. Road to Recovery
A new fashion
A long-term battle
From resistance to rebirth
Fourth Tasting
10. The Modern Fairy
Epilogue
Recipes
Acknowledgements
Selective Bibliography