In western Switzerland, near the French border, in a valley called Val-de-Travers, lies the town of Couvet. That's where absinthe was first developed. The drink began to be commercially produced in the 19th century, and gained a reputation in Paris and around the world. Known as the green fairy, absinthe was rumored to cause hallucinations, but that was less from the wormwood and other flora than the alcohol content, which could reach 70%. Absinthe was banned in 1910, only re-emerging in 2005. But of course, it never really went away, especially in the lush forest of Val-de-Travers.
In this forest, there are fontaines froides (cold fountains), which are hiding places for a bottle of absinthe. During the ban, they were well hidden, known only to those who knew where to look. These became part of the valley's folklore, and are being kept alive today even when grocery stores carry absinthe. The custom brings tourists and hikers to Val-de-Travers as a bonus for enjoying the beauty of the area. Read about the charming fountains and the history behind them at Atlas Obscura.
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Nice find. If I were in Europe I'd make an effort to visit Couvet just for this experience. I like Absinthe. Neat. There I said it. I chuckle at those who say you can't do that because the taste is too strong and the alcohol content too high to enjoy. Wrong. I'm also somewhat bemused by the whole sugar ritual especially that slow drip. Who's got time for that? The bottle I have is 55% ABV. That is at the high end of what I typically like, but in this case I'll have maybe 1/2-1 oz in a small glass after a big dinner or to end the day. Works quite well for me.
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