New Orleans Absinthe History

Getting Settled In Our New Home

2012-01-18T07:18:00.001-06:00

We haven't gone dark, we are getting settled in our new home, and swamped with work.

Stay tuned we will be posting some new things, and updating older items as we get unpacked.

1940s Legendre Herbsaint Intact Bottles

2011-11-20T09:35:00.014-06:00

A pair of unopened 1940s full size Legendre Herbsaint bottles, double the fun to look at, and to taste very soon.

Below, two 120 proof Legendre Herbsaint Mini Bottles still holding their natural green color.

Legendre Rum from the 1930s

2011-09-17T13:39:00.001-05:00

A nice example of Legendre & Co. Rum from the 1930s.

Legendre & Company offered some other interesting products after launching Legendre Herbsaint, including a New Orleans Rum made from sugar cane, coming out of the local Louisiana Sugar Plantations.

We'll be posting more, once we get settled from moving......Stay tuned

A nice article on Legendre Herbsaint

2011-06-13T07:54:00.000-05:00

Stop by Summer Fruit Cup and see a nice article on Legendre Herbsaint:http://summerfruitcup.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/2926/

A Glass of Herbsaint: The Herbsaint Bracer

2011-01-01T09:45:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year!

For a little Morning After Relief....try an Herbsaint Bracer.

Appearing first in the inaugural Legendre Absinthe recipe booklet, as the Legendre Absinthe Bracer:

The 1944 Legendre Herbsaint recipe booklet:

The Herbsaint Bracer was made with equal parts of Legendre Herbsaint and Italian Vermouth, (At one time Legendre & Co. made their own Sweet Vermouth) with a twist of lemon peel, and a dash of bitters.

Herbsaint Bracer:

Fill half a glass with cracked ice.
Two ounces of Herbsaint     Use Herbsaint Original
Two ounces Italian Vermouth   Carpano Antica works very well in this cocktail

A dash of bitters                Try Peychauds as an alternative
Twist a piece of Lemon Peel on top.
Mix well and strain in a small glass.

A Glass of Herbsaint: The Herbsaint Frappé

2010-11-20T12:48:00.004-06:00

This is a very small excerpt from an extensive future article on the Herbsaint Frappé.
Just a small preview...Stay Tuned...

The Herbsaint Frappé is the signature Herbsaint cocktail appearing in all Herbsaint advertisements from the very beginning as the Legendre Absinthe Frappé, to the modern era of Herbsaint Original.

The Herbsaint Frappé has it's roots in the old New Orleans tradition of the Absinthe Frappé, as the perfect absinthe cocktail for the hot humid climate of New Orleans. A Frappé is an iced drink usually made with cracked, or crushed ice, that often has a thin icy coating on the outside of the glass. Absinthe Frappés were a tradition in New Orleans where people would enjoy a tall cold Absinthe Frappé as the evening met the day, and as a Sunday Morning After eye opener from the week end revelry.

Once again, with the return of Herbsaint Original, one can recall the old New Orleans tradition of: At The Close Of The Day, Drink An Herbsaint Frappé, Legendre Herbsaint, Always Served When Absinthe Is Called For.

Catskill Cellars Herbsaint Window

2010-11-19T01:45:00.001-06:00

For those in the Downsville NY area stop by Catskill Cellars and take a look at their Herbsaint display window, they are very nice people too!
They have a nice website at http://www.catskillcellars.com/
for those that may not have have Herbsaint Original in their area yet, drop them a line and they can get a bottle of Herbsaint Original out to you.

A Glass of Herbsaint, The classic Herbsaint Drip

2010-11-06T14:01:00.005-05:00

A Glass of Herbsaint, The Classic Herbsaint Drip

In the midst of many things happening all at once, it's been difficult to sit down and catch up posting new material, hopefully, this trend is now broken.

One of the things I had hoped to put together is various Herbsaint cocktails, now that we are lucky to have Herbsaint Original on the shelves, our first look will be at the classic Herbsaint Drip.

The Herbsaint Drip is based on the classic Absinthe Drip enjoyed by many before the unfortunate ban on absinthe. One can do an absinthe drip many different ways, absinthe fountain, carafe, brouille, or Dripper as known in the USA.
As was popular in the hot humid climate of New Orleans, the brouille or dripper has a number of advantages, over using a large absinthe fountain, and much better control than trying to drip water from a carafe.

To make a classic Herbsaint Drip, is simplicity it’s self.
Take one absinthe type glass, add two ounces of Herbsaint Original, fill the brouille or Dripper with crushed Ice, place on top of the absinthe glass, and add water to the dripper. The dripper will slowly drip the ice cold water into the Herbsaint Original; enjoy watching the alchemy as the ice water and Herbsaint Original combine, creating the classic Herbsaint Drip.

In the early days of Legendre & Co., J. Marion Legendre commissioned his own absinthe drip glass sets, giving a few lucky authors and celebrities their own Herbsaint Drip Glasses, these glasses were among the best designed absinthe styled drip glasses made. Offered for sale via mail order the Herbsaint Drip Glasses were available into the 1960s.

For those not lucky enough to own a vintage Herbsaint Drip Glass, I’d recommend picking up a Herbsaint etched dripper from the Tales of the Cocktail website here:
http://www.talesofthecocktail.com/shop/herbsaint_dripper

The modern Herbsaint etched dripper works quite well, and I have a couple in my own collection that I use when the vintage Herbsaint Drip Glass stays in the cabinet.
As for a recommendation for an absinthe glass, I recommend one of the La Rochere Perigord type glasses, which are quite easy to find from a number of sources, but feel free to use one of a number of reproduction absinthe glasses for those that do not wish to use an antique absinthe glass.

At the Sazerac Company Tasting Room, Tales of the Cocktail 2010

2010-07-31T12:43:00.001-05:00

We were able to make an all too brief visit to Tales of the Cocktail 2010 in New Orleans, while there, we displayed part of our collection at The Sazerac Company Tasting Room,

and we were able to enjoy a cold Herbsaint Frappé on a hot New Orleans day at Tales of the Cocktail 2010.

It was great fun getting to talk to about the history of Herbsaint to the visitors, and being able to see Sazerac Company Brand Manager Kevin Richards, and Sazerac Company CEO Mark Brown.who were the two people responsible for the revival of Herbsaint Original.

Because of the dedication and hard work of Mark Brown, and Kevin Richards, and The Sazerac Company's dedication to quality, everyone can now enjoy Herbsaint Original, and taste what vintage Herbsaint was like in the 1930s and 1940s.

We haven't gone away....

2010-06-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

We've just been very busy with too many things happening all at once.

I'll be posting some updates on Legendre and Jung & Wulff soon. In the meantime, enjoy a glass of Herbsaint, and stay tuned.......

L.E. Jung & Wulff Absinthe

2010-01-25T06:31:00.005-06:00

It appears that the single surviving L.E. Jung & Wulff Absinthe bottle dates later than previously thought, but is still an incredibly rare surviving artifact of absinthe in New Orleans. (Perhaps far more rare than Pre-Ban)

After some extensive digging, I've been able to pull together some fascinating information on L.E. Jung, and L. E. Jung & Wulff.

Stay tuned...

1933 Legendre Absinthe Frappé

2010-01-03T12:17:00.003-06:00

Here is a nice variation on the traditional Herbsaint Frappé, presenting the 1933 Legendre Absinthe Frappé.
Appearing on an early promotional poster announcing Legendre Absinthe, December 1933, during the short few months, until the FACA required Legendre & Co. to remove the word absinthe from the label.

1933 Legendre Absinthe Frappé.
Fill large glass with shaved ice
One Teaspoon Benedictine
Two Tablespoons Legendre Absinthe (Use 2009 Herbsaint Original)
Four Tablespoons of water

Cover Glass with a shaker and shake until frosted-strain into
small glass and serve.

The New Herbsaint Original

2009-11-26T14:03:00.002-06:00

I received the new Herbsaint Original yesterday, and I'm very happy with all of the hard work Sazerac has put into bringing back 1930s and 1940s Herbsaint. I'll post some detailed tasting notes, and photos shortly.

I'm very Happy!

Presenting Herbsaint Original

2009-11-20T18:42:00.002-06:00

All I can say is WOW!

Herbsaint Original Prototype Bottle

2009-11-06T22:57:00.007-06:00

The Sazerac Co. has created a beautiful new bottle for the upcoming Herbsaint Original.

Stay tuned for more info.....

Herbsaint Original

2009-08-22T12:12:00.002-05:00

The finalized label for the vintage formula 100 proof Herbsaint, more details will be announced by the Sazerac Co. this fall.

Keep watching there will be some exciting news regarding the upcoming launch of Herbsaint Original.

Everything New Is Old Again

2009-07-12T21:25:00.006-05:00

A quick look at the mock up of the New Herbsaint, which is a revival of the original version by J. Marion Legendre.

The New Herbsaint is a revival of the original formula, No Grande Wormwood, and the lab sample tastes really nice, and compares well with the vintage.

The Sazerac Company will have an official announcement soon with more information about the up coming release date which should happen this fall.

I'm very happy!
And will post more pictures from Tales shortly.

Happiness is...

2009-07-10T20:53:00.001-05:00

Tasting the contents of this glass.

Stay tuned for more information.

I'm very pleased.

Tales of the Cocktail kicks off with a celebration of Herbsaint’s 75th Anniversary

2009-07-03T07:02:00.006-05:00

Tales of the Cocktail kicks off with a celebration of Herbsaint’s 75th Anniversary

Contact:
Ann Tuennerman: 504-343-4285; ann@talesofthecocktail.com

Tales of the Cocktail kicks off with a celebration of Herbsaint’s 75th Anniversary

NEW ORLEANS – June 30, 2009 – The 7th annual Tales of the Cocktail kicks off its five-day schedule of soul stirring events with a celebration 75 years in the making. On Wednesday July 8th at 2 pm at the Hotel Monteleone, Ann and Paul Tuennerman, Founder and Executive Director of the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society of Tales of the Cocktail, will be joined by authors, chefs, mixologists and members of the media as they toast the 75th Anniversary of Herbsaint and the start of Tales of the Cocktail 2009 with Herbsaint Frappés.

The Sazerac Company of New Orleans will be launching a Herbsaint Absinthe product in the Fall of 2009. It will resurrect the original formula used by J. Marion Legendre from 1934 when his product was called Legendre Absinthe. He later renamed the product Herbsaint after being forced by the government to cease using the word Absinthe.

Further honoring this unique flavor of New Orleans, the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society will unveil a plaque that will be placed at 124 Baronne Street, the site of J.M. Legendre’s Pharmacy where Herbsaint was born. In addition to Herbsaint Frappés, the event will also feature the Creole Julep and the Sassy Southern Belle, the official alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails of this year’s events, as well as Herbsaint and Sazerac truffles.

WHAT:
Toast the official start of Tales of the Cocktail 2009 with Ann Tuennerman, founder of Tales of the Cocktail, and Robert Hess, the 2009 Cocktail Ambassador.

In honor of Herbsaint’s 75th Anniversary, complimentary Herbsaint Frappes will be served as well as the Creole Julep, the official cocktail of 2009, and the Sassy Southern Belle, the official non-alcoholic cocktail of 2009. Attendees will also enjoy Herbsaint and Sazerac truffles.

WHERE:
Hotel Monteleone
Main Entrance/Front Steps
214 Rue Royale
New Orleans, Louisiana

WHEN:
Wednesday July 8, 2009
2:00PM – 3:00PM

We will be there of course, with a few old Herbsaint artifacts.

See us at the New Orleans Pharmacists Seminar on thurs., and the Herbsaint Tasting room on Saturday.

Herbsaint Old Absinthe Bar Souvenir Mini

2009-05-17T12:38:00.005-05:00

The Old Absinthe Bar* in New Orleans quite naturally offered Legendre Herbsaint as a signature drink, being the absinthe substitute of New Orleans. The Old Absinthe Bar offered a souvenir booklet which reads as a promotional piece for Legendre Herbsaint, and to go along with this promotional booklet, a patron of the Old Absinthe Bar could purchase a souvenir Herbsaint mini to remember their visit. Pictured are an original souvenir Herbsaint mini bottle, and a few other Old Absinthe Bar items from my collection. When time permits, a more detailed photo layout & inventory will be added.

*Not to Be confused with the Old Absinthe House, The Old Absinthe Bar for many years had the original Bar, and Absinthe Fountains, from the Old Absinthe House after the prohibition era raid that shuttered The Old Absinthe House.

Herbsaint at Mardi Gras

2009-03-14T11:50:00.002-05:00

From the late 1950s, some beautiful graphics to promote Herbsaint as served in New Orleans.

This was the first major change to Herbsaint packaging by The Sazerac Co., with all new labeling, and a ribbon and wax seal where the old Legendre & Co. paper seal once was.

J. Marion Legendre, and The Sazerac Co. both went beyond their competitors in not only producing an excellent product with Herbsaint, they both would pay a great deal of attention to the graphics and packaging of Herbsaint.

Legendre Anisette

2009-02-12T20:40:00.003-06:00

Legendre Anisette was another early product offered by Legendre & Co., as J. Marion Legendre looked for ways to broaden his line of spirits and bitters.

Legendre Anisette was mentioned in the inaugural 1934 Herbsaint recipe booklet, as an ingredient in The Herbsaint cocktail.

Legendre Anisette

A few Legendre & Co. mini bottles to enjoy

Seventy Five Years of Herbsaint

2009-01-25T12:24:00.003-06:00

March 1st marks the seventy fifth anniversary of the name Herbsaint.

Following the early post prohibition launch of Legendre Absinthe, the F.A.C.A. "requested" that J.M. Legendre change the name of Legendre Absinthe, to a name that would better fit the Federal regulations, so Legendre Herbsaint, became the new name for Legendre Absinthe.

March 1934 New Orleans

U.S. Trademark Document

Original 1934 Unused Herbsaint Label

The Sazerac Company

2008-12-28T13:21:00.003-06:00

Stop by The Sazerac Company and see their beautiful new website.

They should have a nice Herbsaint related surprise for drinkers later this year...

Stay tuned for more info.

December 1933, Repeal And The Launch of Legendre Absinthe

2008-12-05T00:00:00.001-06:00

December 5th 1933, Prohibition is repealed and J.M. Legendre launches "Legendre Absinthe" in New Orleans.

J. Marion Legendre was one of the first people in the southern United States to receive a Federal Rectifiers permit from the F.A.C.A. following repeal.
Legendre & Co. held Rectifiers Permit number R-48, which is still in use today by The Sazerac Co. in making Herbsaint in the modern era.

Marion Legendre was able to bring Legendre Absinthe to market much quicker than other distilled spirits that required years of aging, giving Legendre & Co. the advantage of having a delicious drink on the market ahead of his competition, that did not need years of barrel aging.

Pictured below is a rare news paper advertisement from December 1933 for the new Legendre Absinthe.

A very rare Legendre Absinthe bottle.
Special thanks to Oxygenee for the photo.

Legendre's Drugstore And The Creation Of Herbsaint

2008-10-29T16:55:00.007-05:00

An important piece of history from Legendre's Drugstore, to be updated...

During the freewheeling days and nights of prohibition era New Orleans, prominent members of New Orleans society, and "unnamed political figures" staying at the Roosevelt Hotel, would often have prescriptions of Legendre's herbal and alcohol remedy delivered to their suites at the Roosevelt Hotel.

One can only imagine who might have called during prohibition for Legendre's delicious herbal remedy.

Legendre's Drugstore

2008-09-17T08:48:00.008-05:00

Coming Soon: Legendre's Drugstore.

Stay tuned, we are getting caught up after Hurricane Ike.

A vintage image of Legendre's Drugstore on Baronne, (The original building still stands) with a nice Sazerac cocktail display in their window.

Three vintage bottles from Legendre's Drugstore.

Herbsaint Pint Bottles

2008-08-17T12:18:00.003-05:00

Legendre & Co. offered Herbsaint in three sizes ranging from the familiar 4/5 Quart, to the fairly common Mini bottle, and the hard to find pint bottle size. Legendre & Co. offered the pint bottles for their products from the 1930s through 1948, with Sazerac Co. continuing to offer Herbsaint in pint bottles through the late 1950s.

Pictured is a 1930s 120 proof Herbsaint pint bottle in very nice condition.

Sazerac era Herbsaint pint from the late 1950s.

Herbsaint Drip Glass

2008-07-25T08:28:00.009-05:00

In the mid 1950s The Sazerac Co. released a set of absinthe style drip glasses as a promotional item for Herbsaint. These very attractive and functional absinthe glasses with their unique Brouille, or dripper, that could hold ice and water, produce a perfectly louched glass of Herbsaint.

The glass Brouilles were popular in southern United States, back in the pre-ban era of absinthe, and were described in a number of vintage cocktail texts regarding the serving of absinthe.
The Brouilles were especially popular in places like New Orleans where the hot climate made serving iced drinks part of the norm.

Originally offered at $1.50 via mail order, the Herbsaint drip glasses were advertised for several years on the rear label of Herbsaint bottles, they offered an attractive and traditional way to serve a glass of Herbsaint in the traditional absinthe drip style.

The drip glasses were available from the mid 1950s through the late 1960s from the Sazerac Co.

Special thanks to Stanley Schwam retired Senior VP. of The Sazerac Co., and Kevin Richards, Brand manager for Herbsaint, for this beautiful Herbsaint glass.

The Sazerac Beomes The Official Drink Of New Orleans

2008-06-29T10:29:00.002-05:00

It's official! The Louisiana Legislature passed House Bill 6 designating The Sazerac as the official drink of the city of New Orleans!

To celebrate, some images of vintage Sazerac ingredients, shown with The Sazerac Company's excellent Sazerac Rye, and a vintage Hotel Roosevelt Sazerac Bar glass.

The Sazerac Recipe is courtesy of The Sazerac Company, makers of Sazerac Rye, Legendre Herbsaint, and Peychauds Bitters.

1934: Herbsaint Given a Clean Bill Of Health

2008-06-19T09:37:00.008-05:00

With the publishing of the first Legendre Herbsaint recipe booklet, Marion Legendre showed quite a bit of business savvy, with his inaugural Herbsaint booklet, more than just a listing of drink recipes, this was not only an introduction to Legendre Herbsaint, but a carefully crafted booklet to educate, and ease the fears of a public unfamiliar with absinthe styled drinks.

Legendre even took the unprecedented step of having Tulane University analyze Herbsaint and have the head of Tulane University’s Chemistry dept. issue a statement that there was no harmful or habit forming substances in Legendre Herbsaint, which was printed in the initial Herbsaint booklet.

Marion Legendre would also turn some of the controversy over the post prohibition absinthe confusion to his advantage, by using a recent New Orleans Item news story, written on May 6^th, 1934, as a press release stating: Herbsaint Given Complete Bill of Health and go to state that Legendre Herbsaint is the only correctly labeled absinthe-styled drink made and sold in New Orleans. It complies with the law in every respect, and is sold nation wide.

Herbsaint Frappé

2008-05-03T10:58:00.008-05:00

The signature Herbsaint cocktail is without a doubt the Herbsaint Frappé. The Herbsaint Frappé is the first cocktail recipe that appears in every Herbsaint recipe booklet, printed from 1934, to the mid 1950s. The Herbsaint Frappé is a New Orleans favorite, perfect on those warm humid days & nights in the Vieux Carré.

Below
One of William B. Wisdom's iconic advertisements for Legendre & Company.
"At the close of the day Drink an Herbsaint Frappé"
Legendre Herbsaint Always served when absinthe is called for.

J. Marion Legendre

2008-04-25T14:44:00.004-05:00

The man who created Herbsaint

A very dapper J. Marion Legendre pictured in 1982.

The elusive L. E. Jung & Wulff "Milky Way" Logo

2008-04-25T14:15:00.006-05:00

The elusive L. E. Jung & Wulff "Milky Way" Logo, which has long been a source of mystery to absinthe collectors, has been found.

The L. E. Jung & Wulff Company, was an old New Orleans distillery that made absinthe before the 1912 U.S. government ban, L. E. Jung & Wulff who also made a number of liqueurs before prohibition, would also make several non alcoholic cordials during prohibition to keep the firm in business during the long dry spell in the USA.

Following the repeal of prohibition in Dec 1933, Jung & Wulff would revive production of absinthe and made approximately 1500, cases of absinthe before being ordered to cease by the FACA (Federal Alcohol Control Administration) in early 1934. Following this action L. E. Jung & Wulff would market their own absinthe substitute called Milky Way.

An excerpt the from the Jung & Wulff booklet The Mixologist

L. E Jung & Wulff Trustees of Southern Traditions "Est. 1883".

The TRUTH about ABSINTHE

ABSINTHE originated in

Algeria

, and was introduced into Europe by the French soldiers. It is a distillation of sixteen herbs, roots, seeds and leaves, including the much discussed WORMWOOD.
Some people believe that Wormwood is a poison. It is no such thing, but is a valuable tonic and stimulant for the stomach--see Webster's dictionary--when taken in such quantities as it appears in Absinthe. It is harmful only when taken in overdoses as is the case with anything.
When genuine Absinthe was prohibited by Federal Law, L. E. JUNG & WULFF CO. developed a non-wormwood product known as MILKY WAY, as a substitute for Absinthe. From this product was omitted only the prohibited wormwood, and the formula slightly changed to replace the wormwood. MILKY WAY can not be distinguished, in taste, even by the greatest Absinthe connoisseurs, from genuine Absinthe. We recommend its use wherever Absinthe is called for.
MILKY WAY is a distilled product, superior to all present day American Absinthe substitutes."

Legendre Herbsaint Advertisement

2008-04-02T23:36:00.007-05:00

From New Orleans Comes Herbsaint

Pictured is a striking advertisement for Legendre Herbsaint circa 1944 created by well known Southern writer William B. Wisdom.

William B. Wisdom created several striking advertisements for Legendre & Co., including a number of Legendre Herbsaint recipe booklets, and numerous iconic advertising slogans, with evocative period graphics. Wisdom also created tie-in ads for The Old Absinthe House, that feature Legendre Herbsaint prominently in the ad copy.

J. Marion Legendre recalled William B. Wisdom and his advertising work in Legendre's memoirs:

"I employed William B. Wisdom to promote and advertise “Herbsaint”, having a very fertile mind, he prepared recipe books and all sorts of advertising material. He painted Herbsaint as being a most delectable drink and described the product in glowing terms. Wisdom stated that the formula for Herbsaint was handed down from father to son and had been in the Legendre family for a long time. I told him that this might be questioned but he said “It is of no great importance”. As a matter of fact, I have never been questioned on this subject and I have never changed any literature printed by me and by Sazerac. No one really cares how Herbsaint came about as they either enjoy it or do not enjoy this drink"
J. Marion Legendre October 5, 1984

Legendre Herbsaint Mini Bottles

2008-03-18T02:07:00.012-05:00

A selection of Legendre Herbsaint Mini Bottles.

Two early 120 proof Legendre Herbsaint mini bottles from 1934 on the left, On the right is a late 1940s screw top 120 proof Legendre Herbsaint mini bottle in remarkable condition, with the contents still holding the original natural green color.

Three Vintage 120 Proof Legendre Herbsaint Mini Bottles

Below:
A Legendre Herbsaint Cocktail mini, with a label that differs from the usual Herbsaint graphics.

A Glass of Vintage Herbsaint

2008-03-11T06:06:00.006-05:00

A glass of vintage Legendre Herbsaint from the 1940s, a rare treat from old New Orleans.
The scent and taste of this vintage bottle of Legendre Herbsaint compares well to a vintage absinthe such as Pre-Ban Pernod Fils, and other quality Pre-Ban absinthes.

Legendre Herbsaint stands alone in it's category as an absinthe substitute, with an unbroken production record from 1933, to present day, long after other competitors have faded into history.

1940s Legendre Herbsaint

1930s Legendre & Co. Bottles

2008-02-29T23:08:00.032-06:00

A Selection of 1930s Legendre & Co. Bottles

Top images: A 1934 Legendre Herbsaint bottle, with the label in two parts, showing the new name, Legendre Herbsaint. This bottle dates from the early production of the newly revised label.
Also shown is the original Legendre & Co. stamped cork, rescued from the inside of the bottle.

Below: From left to right, an example of a rare pint bottle Herbsaint, an intact 1934 Herbsaint mini bottle, a full sized Herbsaint bottle with an early two piece label, Legendre New Orleans Bitters, and a December 1933 Legendre Old Absinthe House Cocktail bottle.
At the center is an unused Herbsaint label, date stamped July 13, 1934 on reverse.

A Selection of 1930s Legendre & Co. items

Legendre Herbsaint Bottle From the 1940s

2008-02-20T15:02:00.020-06:00

A still sealed full bottle of Legendre Herbsaint

This is a well preserved example of Legendre Herbsaint from the 1940s, still full with no ullage, this bottle waits for the day to be opened, and make this Herbsaint collector's heart grow fonder.

Legendre New Orleans Bitters

2008-02-19T12:11:00.026-06:00

Legendre New Orleans Bitters

Legendre & Co. made their own high quality version of Peychauds bitters, this rare bottle dates from the 1930s. Legendre & Co. would market two types of bitters, The New Orleans Bitters, and Orange Bitters, in both mini bottle, and pint bottle size.

A selection of Vintage New Orleans Favorites

Legendre Old Absinthe House Cocktail

2008-02-19T09:34:00.017-06:00

Legendre Old Absinthe House Cocktail

This Legendre Absinthe House Cocktail bottle is a very early Legendre & Co. artifact, dating from the immediate post prohibition era of December 1933.
The still sealed contents which appear to be intact, are likely a pre-mixed Herbsaint Frappé that may have been marketed through The Old Absinthe House.

Legendre Absinthe Label

2008-02-18T12:00:00.015-06:00

Legendre Absinthe Label

The very rare, and short lived Legendre Absinthe label, used only from December 1933, through very early 1934, when the Federal Alcohol Control Administration objected to the use of the word "Absinthe" on the label, and would require Legendre & Co. to change the label. By March 1, 1934 Legendre & Co. would announce the new name, Herbsaint.

Early two piece Legendre Herbsaint label.

The bottom Herbsaint logo was likely added to make the new label stand out, as the Herbsaint logo was transitioned into use in 1934.

A Selection Of Vintage Herbsaint Booklets

2008-02-14T14:56:00.012-06:00

A selection of Herbsaint recipe booklets, from 1937 to 1954.

From Left to right, original Legendre Herbsaint recipe booklets, from 1937, 1944, 1949, and 1954.

The Story of Herbsaint

2008-02-09T17:03:00.017-06:00

Excerpt from the 1937 Legendre Herbsaint recipe booklet

French in name, French in origin, and French in its sophisticated appeal, Legendre Herbsaint is a drink distinctly European in character. Its very appearance differs from all other drinks. In its original state Herbsaint is a transparent greenish amber. Mixed with water or ice as in a frappe, Herbsaint becomes an opaque beverage whose gyrating whorls of coalescent strata have a distinct opalescent hue. This refreshing and delightful beverage pleases the palate of the connoisseur and man about town alike, and is reminiscent of the charm and unique appeal of New Orleans. in whose Vieux Carre it has attained its greatest popularity. To drink Herbsaint is to recall the glories of the past, to renew acquaintance with the romance and glamour of by-gone days of Old France and of that France of the New World-Louisiana.

New Orleans Absinthe History

2008-02-01T15:33:00.022-06:00

Introduction
Following the repeal of prohibition in December 1933, there were handful of distilleries in New Orleans that revived the spirit of absinthe in New Orleans, this is their story.

J. Marion Legendre and the Story of Herbsaint

Legendre Herbsaint is the longest surviving absinthe substitute in America, made by Legendre & Company, and produced in New Orleans for many years, Legendre Herbsaint remains a New Orleans favorite to this day.

J. Marion Legendre

The founder of Legendre & Company, J. Marion Legendre, was a prominent New Orleans businessman and pharmacy owner, his creation called Legendre Herbsaint, would become the best known and longest surviving absinthe substitute in America.

Follow the creation of Herbsaint in New Orleans