While martinis usually consist of gin or vodka, paired with dry vermouth and a splash of olive brine, replacing the gin or vodka with absinthe can significantly upgrade your drink.

Primarily infused with grande wormwood, green anise, and fennel, absinthe offers a pleasant, herbaceous flavor. This makes it a fantastic swap for vodka — or an alternative to gin.

To get creative with your absinthe martini and make it more refreshing, consider playing to the green spirit’s strengths by adding a twist of orange or lemon rather than olives.

You can also use sweet vermouth instead of its dry variant to switch things up as it will help highlight the herbal notes and slightly sweet, spiced flavor of absinthe.