Skip to main content

Swill: Corsair Red Absinthe

Swill is our bi-monthly column dedicated to liquor, wine, beer, and every other delicious dram that falls under the broader umbrella of booze. But it’s more than just tasting notes scribbled on a cocktail napkin — Swill is about getting outisde of your comfort zone, trying new things, and exploring the big, wide world of libations. One week you might catch us halfway through a bottle of single-malt scotch, and the week after that we might be buzzing on some Ugandan moonshine made from bananas. It’s an adventure, so grab yourself a glass and join us in the inaugural round.

To kick off this new column, we wanted to show you something that captures the spirit of Swill — something that’s both adventurous and unique, but not so outrageously unconventional that you’d get a bunch of odd looks for busting it out at a cocktail party. As such, we thought a good starting point would be Corsair Distillery’s Red Absinthe.

Recommended Videos

Corsair is all about experimentation and pushing the boundaries, and Red is a fresh take on the traditional absinthe recipe. It starts with traditional ingredients you’d find in any blanche (things like green anise, sweet fennel, and wormwood), and then diverges a bit, incorporating some exotic and unusual flavors like citrus, tarragon, and red hibiscus. In addition to a beautiful rouge color, this gives the spirit a distinctly floral, slightly tangy note that helps cut back on the drink’s usual bitterness. We recommend you try it on it’s own, poured over a couple cubes of ice, or mixed with a lemon-lime soda or champagne. if you’re in a mood to play bartender, try out this revival of the Revival:

Corpse Revival No. 2

  • ¾ ounce gin
  • ¾ ounce Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano
  • ¾ ounce orange liqueur
  • ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ¼ ounce Corsair Red Absinthe
  • Maraschino cherry

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the gin, Lillet Blanc/Cocchi Americano, orange liqueur, lemon juice and Corsair Red Absinthe. Shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with the cherry.

Drew Prindle
Drew is our resident tech nerd. He’s spent most of his life trying to be James Bond, so naturally he’s developed an…
Kentucky Owl’s new Batch #13 is the final masterpiece from a bourbon legend
Kentucky Owl

Popular whiskey brand Kentucky Owl recently announced the launch of its newest bourbon, Batch #13. It was blended and crafted by former Master Blender John Rhea. What makes the whiskey more unique is that it was the last bourbon blend created by the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member before his retirement.
Kentucky Owl Batch #13

Batch #13 consists of a blend of five different bourbons. There’s a mix of younger and wheated whiskeys and more mature and higher rye whiskeys. The blend is roughly between eight and nine years old.

Read more
This underrated Dunkin’ coffee is smooth, strong, and totally worth the hunt
Don't overlook this coffee staple order
Dunkin nitro cold brew

Nitro cold brew is one of my go-to, anytime coffee orders, and it never disappoints, no matter where you order it. Even though nitro cold brew has grown in popularity, I still find it a "harder to find" coffee shop order when I'm on the go. I crave something about this drink's velvety smoothness—something you don't get from a regular cold brew order.

But why isn't everyone ordering the Dunkin' Nitro cold brew? Maybe Dunkin' just missed the mark on marketing this exceptional drink, but everyone I've talked to seems to have no idea that Dunkin' even has nitro cold brew. Or maybe it's just that this drink is not available at every Dunkin' location. Everyone seems to associate nitro cold brew with Starbucks, yet this drink is available beyond just Starbucks locations. Here's why I'll keep ordering Dunkin's nitro cold brew (and telling everyone I know about this order).
Where to find the Dunkin' nitro cold brew

Read more
When it comes to Champagne, what does the word “Brut” actually mean?
Get to know your bubbly
Champagne flutes

There’s just something about champagne that makes my heart flutter. Maybe it’s the sparkle, maybe it’s that famous cork pop that signals the start of a glamorous time, or maybe it’s the way it makes any cocktail feel special. I love champagne in all its forms, whether it’s bone-dry and bracing or sweet and indulgent. But not all bubbly is created equal, and if you’ve ever been confused by the difference between “brut” and “demi-sec,” you’re not alone. Let’s break down the different types of champagne so you can sip exactly what you love.
Understanding Champagne sweetness levels isn’t just wine snob trivia — it’s the key to choosing a bottle you’ll actually enjoy. Whether you’re a brut loyalist or prefer your Champagne to be softer and sweeter, knowing the differences between brut, extra dry, sec, demi-sec, and doux puts you one step closer to popping the perfect bottle. Let’s break it down, starting with the term you’re most likely to see: Brut.

What is Brut Champagne?

Read more