The Poet, and Absinthe

At the very heart of the absinthe legend is the idea that it provides a noticeably different quality of intoxication – in other words, that over and above the normal effects expected from alcohol, absinthe has, in addition, “secondary effects”. These are often said to include visual disturbances, unusual sensitivity to light and colour, mild euphoria and a peculiarly clear-headed type of drunkenness.

That's from the Absinthe virtual museum. The drink Ernest Hemingway refered to as "opaque, bitter, tongue-numbing, brain-warming, stomach-warming, idea changing liquid alchemy". Here's some other resources:

• Books, at Amazon (I believe this is the go to one)
• An absinthe buyers guide
• An hypnotic video on preparation