Absinthe in Babylon Berlin: The key takeaways
- Babylon Berlin uses absinthe as a symbol of nightlife caught between bohemianism and prohibition.
- Two scenes are particularly fascinating – one in Berlin in 1929 and one in Paris in 1933. In the final season, an absinthe fountain is even shown.
- Interesting background: At that time, absinthe was already banned in both Germany and France.
The first Absinthe Scene: The Pepita Bar in Season 1
In Season 1, Episode 8, Gereon Rath and Bruno Wolter visit the Pepita Bar. The dark, red-lit atmosphere underscores the myth of the Green Fairy: absinthe represents the glamorous but also shady side of the Roaring Twenties. The set was a former customs warehouse on Berlin's Lohmühleninsel.
The historical contradiction is interesting: In 1929, absinthe was already banned in Germany. Therefore, a glass of absinthe in an ordinary restaurant would hardly have been plausible. In a fictional bar on the edge of legality, however, it fits the narrative – without the scene serving as evidence of actual service.
Absinthe in Babylon Berlin Season 5: The Parisian Bar Scene
The final season also picks up the absinthe aesthetic. In Season 5, Episode 4, the action takes place in Paris. French singer Zaho de Sagazan appears as Madame Libertine and sings the German song "Zu Asche, zu Staub".
The scene shows a dripping absinthe fountain and filled absinthe glasses. Gereon Rath is served a prepared glass of absinthe and concentrates on bringing it to his lips in time with the music. This scene is particularly captivating: Unlike a simple bottle, the fountain refers directly to the traditional French absinthe ritual and its enjoyment during the prohibition.
Watch the absinthe scene in the ARD Mediathek
Babylon Berlin · Season 5, Episode 4 · Parisian bar with Madame Libertine
▶ Watch the original scene on ARDThe link opens the original episode with the specified timestamps. Availability depends on the ARD Mediathek.
Why is the absinthe fountain such a special detail?
The absinthe fountain is a classic accessory from French absinthe culture. It contains cold water that slowly drips into a glass of absinthe through small taps. This creates the typical milky cloudiness, known as the louche effect: the essential oils from the herbs become less soluble when diluted.
The slow dilution is not only a visual ritual, but also changes the taste. Sugar can be used to taste, but is not strictly necessary. You can find out more in our post about the traditional absinthe preparation.
Anyone interested in the technique and the different models can find more information about absinthe fountains and a selection of absinthe fountains in the shop.
Was absinthe even allowed in Paris in 1933?
No. France had already banned absinthe in 1915; in Germany, it had been banned since 1923. Both series moments thus take place at a time when absinthe could not be legally sold regularly. Whether the drink shown is actually meant to be illegal absinthe within the plot remains a matter of staging. It is precisely this historical tension that makes the two scenes interesting.
Why is absinthe associated with the bohemian scene?
Absinthe gained its legendary reputation primarily in 19th-century France. The drink was associated with artists, writers, and Parisian café life. The "Green Fairy" became a symbol of creativity, provocation, and a sometimes romanticized idea of intoxication. Babylon Berlin uses exactly these cultural associations, even though the series is set much later.
You can find the background on its origins, heyday, and prohibition in our history of absinthe.
Conclusion: Two scenes, one myth
The absinthe scenes in Babylon Berlin tell the story of the Green Fairy in different ways: The Pepita Bar shows the debauched Berlin nightlife of 1929, while the Parisian bar scene of 1933, with its absinthe fountain, recalls traditional French drinking culture. The fact that absinthe was banned at both times gives the images an additional historical punchline.
Frequently asked questions about absinthe in Babylon Berlin
In which episode of Babylon Berlin can you see an absinthe fountain?
In Season 5, Episode 4, an absinthe fountain can be seen on the table in the Parisian bar scene with Madame Libertine.
Who sings in the Parisian bar?
French singer Zaho de Sagazan plays Madame Libertine and sings "Zu Asche, zu Staub".
Was absinthe banned in the 1920s and 1930s?
Yes. Absinthe was banned in Germany from 1923, and in France as early as 1915.