AI-generated image Earthquake
The Earthquake, or Tremblement de Terre, is a potent Parisian cocktail of absinthe and cognac, linked by legend to Toulouse-Lautrec.
Paris, France
Also known as Tremblement de Terre
About Earthquake
The Earthquake, known in French as the Tremblement de Terre, is a very strong cocktail made from absinthe and cognac, usually in equal measures. It belongs to the absinthe culture of late nineteenth century Paris, and it is most often credited, in popular telling, to the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, whose fondness for absinthe is well documented. The story is a legend rather than a recorded recipe, but it is the reason the drink is still associated with Montmartre.
There is no water or sugar in the classic version, which is what sets it apart from the traditional absinthe ritual of slowly dripping iced water over a sugar cube. The two spirits are simply poured together, sometimes stirred over ice and strained, sometimes served over ice in a wine glass. The result is pale, aromatic and dry, with the anise and herbal notes of the absinthe softened by the brandy, and an alcohol content close to that of the neat spirits themselves.
Absinthe was banned in France in 1915 and only became legal to sell again under its own name in 2011, so the drink spent most of the twentieth century as a curiosity. Today it appears on the menus of bars that specialise in absinthe and classic cocktails, and it is meant to be sipped slowly, in a small serving.
History & Culture
The Earthquake cocktail's exact origins are not firmly documented, and its history remains largely undocumented in mainstream mixology references. It is commonly linked to France's celebrated absinthe tradition, which dominated Parisian café culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when absinthe-based drinks were widespread across the country.
The drink typically pairs absinthe with additional spirits, though recipes differ across regions and individual bars, with no single canonical version. Its name is widely understood to reference its exceptionally strong, destabilizing effect. While not as famous as other French cocktails, the Earthquake endures as a nostalgic choice in traditional cafés and among home enthusiasts exploring France's drinking heritage.
How to make Earthquake
AI-assisted, not kitchen-testedTremblement de Terre (Earthquake) Cocktail
A fizzy, bracing French aperitif traditionally built in the glass and meant to be drunk quickly while it's still bubbling. The combination of pastis, grenadine and ice-cold sparkling water gives it a milky-pink, slightly cloudy look - like quaking jelly.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Serves
- 1
- Difficulty
- Easy
Recipe ingredients
- 40 ml (1⅓ fl oz) pastis, French anise aperitif such as Ricard or Henri Bardouin; substitute with cold-diluted sambuca if pastis unavailable
- 10 ml (2 tsp) grenadine syrup, real pomegranate grenadine, not the bright-red 'grenadine' soda mixer
- 120 ml (4 fl oz) sparkling mineral water, very cold, plain - not tonic; Perrier is the classic choice
- 5 g (1 tsp) caster sugar, optional, only if a sweeter drink is wanted
- 1 whole ice cube, large, a single big cube so the drink doesn't water down too fast
Steps
- 1 Chill a small tumbler or old-fashioned glass in the freezer for 10 minutes if you can.
- 2 Drop the large ice cube into the glass.
- 3 Pour the pastis over the ice.
- 4 Add the grenadine (and the caster sugar if using).
- 5 Top very slowly with the ice-cold sparkling water - pour down the inside of the glass to keep the fizz.
- 6 Do not stir. The drink should look cloudy, pale pink and gently bubbling. Drink immediately while still effervescent.
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Where to eat it
Look for it in Paris, especially around Montmartre, at bars that specialise in absinthe or classic cocktails. Absinthe bars in other French cities sometimes list it too.
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Earthquake - frequently asked questions
What is Earthquake?
The Earthquake, known in French as the Tremblement de Terre, is a very strong cocktail made from absinthe and cognac, usually in equal measures. It belongs to the absinthe culture of late nineteenth century Paris, and it is most often credited, in popular telling, to the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, whose…
What is Earthquake made of?
Earthquake is made with absinthe, cognac and ice.
Where does Earthquake come from?
Earthquake comes from France, and is especially associated with Paris. The Earthquake cocktail's exact origins are not firmly documented, and its history remains largely undocumented in mainstream mixology references.
Where can I eat Earthquake?
Look for it in Paris, especially around Montmartre, at bars that specialise in absinthe or classic cocktails. Absinthe bars in other French cities sometimes list it too.
How do you make Earthquake?
Making Earthquake at home takes about 5 minutes of prep. The recipe on this page serves 1 and is rated easy. Full ingredient list and step-by-step method are in the recipe section above.
What else is Earthquake called?
Earthquake is also known as Tremblement de Terre.
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