Absinthe: say Hello to the Green Fairy

Bartender Linda Mani serves up a “Bohemian style” absinthe at the Bar Noir at the Hotel Maison 140 in Beverly Hills. The bar serves up absinthe cocktails in an elaborate ritual from 5 to 7 p.m. called the Green Hour. The storied green drink that was once banned in the U.S. is rich with rumors of hallucinogenic properties and a distinctive sweet flavor of licorice. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 10:22 AM PT

Bartender Linda Mani prepares a traditional absinthe cocktail by dripping ice water over a sugar cube and into the glass of liquor at Bar Noir in Beverly Hills. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

Drops of ice water slowly dissolve a sugar cube into an absinthe cocktail being prepared at the Bar Noir at the hotel Maison 140 in Beverly Hills. This is a “traditional” version, with Le Tourment Vert absinthe. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

One of the Edison’s “green fairies” on Lucent Dossier nights, Gwendolyne Lahti serves absinthe from a cart. “We serve it the traditional way,” she said. The 25-year-old schoolteacher by day said the Edison offers up “shots” of absinthe (usually Le Tournament) “with water and sugar.” Other options from the absinthe cart include lemon, pomegranate and pineapple-infused specialty absinthe cocktails. Shots go for $6, cocktails $16. (Tara Godvin / Los Angeles Times)