Death in the Afternoon Cocktail Kit

Death in the Afternoon is a potent blend of absinthe and champagne. It shares its name with Ernest Hemingway's 1932 book on Spanish bullfighting, and the drink was reportedly created by the author after he enjoyed absinthe during his time in France. Hemingway is as well-known for his writing as he is for his drinking. Throughout his books and his life, he championed cocktails like the Daiquiri and Mojito, but nothing captures the imagination quite like Death in the Afternoon.

In the book, Hemingway writes: "Pour one jigger of absinthe into a champagne glass. Add iced champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly." (Of course, you are free to consume fewer than the recommended dose.)

The cocktail's opalescent milkiness occurs when the champagne hits the absinthe. The aromatic compounds in absinthe are more soluble in alcohol than in water, so when the absinthe is diluted, these compounds fall out of solution and cluster together – what we see as cloudiness.

Science aside, Death in the Afternoon is a great way to explore absinthe for those new to the high-proof spirit. The easy-to-make drink merges absinthe with dry, bubbly champagne, creating a effervescent cocktail that is strong yet surprisingly refreshing. Kickstart your day by enjoying one at brunch, or kill an entire afternoon while reading a book by the cocktail's creator.

Suggested recipe:

• 4.5 cl Absinthe
• 13.5 cl Champagne

You purchase the following in the cocktail package:

• 1 bottle Lehmann Absinthe Onirique
• 1 bottle Monmarthe Privilege Brut Champagne
  

Steps:

• Pour Absinthe into a champagne glass (preferably a coupe) 
• Slowly pour the champagne over it

The original is very strong, so it might be worthwhile to start with a lower amount of absinthe the first time you make it. If you want a sweeter sparkling wine, you can also choose to use Cava.

The quantities presented in this recipe are merely our preference, but you can, of course, make the cocktail however you like.