Absinthe Journals II - Absinthe and the Military
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The association of the French military with absinthe went back to the Algerian wars in the 1840's, where it was used as a fever
preventative. Mixed with wine or water - jokingly referred to as "absinthe soup" - it was believed to kill germs and fend off
dysentry (no doubt, this high alcohol combination also helped to relieve the boredom of barracks life). When the troops of the
Bataillon d'Afrique returned to France, they brought with them their taste for the refreshingly bitter drink, and absinthe became a
hit in bars and bistros all over France. It remained a strong favourite of military men, of all ranks.
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