Mata Hari Absinthe 750ML

Mata Hari Absinthe 750ML is a Bohemian-style absinthe distilled in Austria at 60% ABV (120 proof) in a 750ml bottle. Rated 90–95 points and named Highly Recommended by Wine Enthusiast, it also earned a place on the publication's Top 50 Spirits list in 2009 and a Gold Medal at the World Spirits Award.

Quick Facts: ABV: 60% (120 Proof)  |  Origin: Vienna, Austria  |  Bohemian-Style Absinthe  |  Distillery: Fischer Schnaps

Production & Heritage

Mata Hari is produced by Fischer Schnaps of Vienna, Austria, a family-run distillery whose Bohemian absinthe recipe dates back to 1881. Built on a neutral grain spirit base, the distillate draws its character from a botanical blend headlined by wormwood and salvia, supported by peppermint, chamomile, orange peel, and cinnamon bark. The result is a distinctly Austrian interpretation of absinthe — one that intentionally dials back the heavy anise profile associated with French-style absinthes, making Mata Hari notably different from many of its shelf neighbors and, at the time of its U.S. introduction, the only Bohemian-style absinthe available in the American market.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a striking pine-green presentation that gives way to buttery, oily, and grassy notes. Beneath the initial vegetal character, scents of cinnamon, basil, and lemon emerge, along with an intriguing undercurrent reminiscent of uncooked brownie dough.

Taste: The palate entry is sweet, fruity, and herbal, with a gentle complexity that builds rather than assaults. Anise arrives at the mid-palate but stays in balance with the fruitiness and spice rather than dominating. A warm cinnamon presence weaves through, joined by nutty undertones that add unexpected depth.

Finish: The finish concludes sweeter than most absinthes, with lingering herbal and honeyed tones. A hot cinnamon kick at the tail end provides structure and warmth without overwhelming the delicate botanical layers.

How to Drink Mata Hari

The traditional absinthe ritual — a slow water drip over a sugar cube — works well here, transforming the pine-green liquid to a soft sea-foam green with a barely cloudy louche. That said, the Bohemian profile and restrained anise make Mata Hari particularly versatile in mixed drinks. A Corpse Reviver No. 2 benefits from Mata Hari's herbal sweetness in place of a standard rinse. A Death in the Afternoon (absinthe topped with champagne) gains a cinnamon-spice dimension that complements dry sparkling wine. An Absinthe Frappé lets the mint and chamomile botanicals shine when shaken hard over crushed ice with simple syrup and soda.

Best For

• Absinthe drinkers who find French-style expressions too anise-heavy
• Cocktail enthusiasts exploring absinthe-forward mixed drinks beyond a simple rinse
• Gifting a spirits collector who values historically rooted recipes and award-winning bottlings
• Hosting a tasting night comparing Bohemian versus French absinthe traditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mata Hari taste like? Mata Hari leads with sweet, fruity, and herbal flavors, followed by balanced anise and warm cinnamon, finishing with honeyed sweetness — significantly less licorice-forward than most French-style absinthes.

How does Mata Hari compare to Lucid Absinthe? Lucid Absinthe follows the classic French style with a pronounced anise and black-licorice profile, while Mata Hari uses a Bohemian recipe that delivers a more balanced, fruit-and-spice-driven character with far less anise dominance. Both are quality expressions, but they represent fundamentally different absinthe traditions.

Is Mata Hari good for cocktails? Yes — its restrained anise and prominent herbal-spice botanicals make it one of the more mixable absinthes on the market, working well beyond the standard dash or glass rinse in drinks like the Corpse Reviver No. 2 and Absinthe Frappé.

Where is Mata Hari made? Mata Hari is distilled by Fischer Schnaps in Vienna, Austria, using a Bohemian-style family recipe that has been in the Fischer family since 1881.

What foods pair well with Mata Hari? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cinnamon and brownie-dough aromatics. Herbed goat cheese echoes the botanical complexity. Grilled stone fruits like peaches mirror the sweet, fruity palate entry. Fennel-and-citrus salad bridges the subtle anise and lemon notes. Spiced nuts pick up the warm cinnamon finish.

What sizes does Mata Hari come in? Mata Hari Absinthe is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Mata Hari worth the price? Mata Hari positions as a premium absinthe supported by a Gold Medal at the World Spirits Award and a 90–95 point rating from Wine Enthusiast, placing it among well-regarded expressions in its category with strong critical validation for its price tier.

Why Mata Hari?

What sets Mata Hari apart is its commitment to a specific Austrian tradition that most absinthe drinkers in the U.S. have never experienced. The Fischer family's 1881 Bohemian recipe delivers a genuinely different flavor architecture — one built on wormwood, cinnamon bark, chamomile, and citrus peel rather than the anise-dominant blueprint most consumers associate with the category. Critical recognition backs this up: a Gold Medal at the World Spirits Award and inclusion on Wine Enthusiast's Top 50 Spirits of 2009 confirm that the quality here is real, not just novelty. For anyone who has written off absinthe because of overpowering licorice, Mata Hari is the bottle that may change that perspective entirely.