If you’re looking for a cocktail powerful enough to shake you up, the Earthquake is for you. This simple drink historically made from Absinthe and Cognac packs all the punch of a natural disaster. How to make an Earthquake cocktail will teach you how play Mother Nature and mix one up yourself.

• An Earthquake cocktail is best served on ice.

• If you find your Earthquake cocktail has too much of a licorice flavor try reducing the absinthe content.

The Earthquake cocktail, also called the “Tremblement de Terre”, is said to have been created in the early 1900’s in France. The cocktail was born out of the popularity of Absinthe. http://www.absintheonline.com/acatalog/Cocktails.html Much like many other historic cocktails the recipe has evolved into a more modern, popular version. Both recipes are very simple and will be covered in this how to guide.

For the traditional Earthquake cocktail you will need only Absinthe and Cognac.

For the more modern Earthquake cocktail you will need Absinthe, Bourbon, and Gin.

Note: In some recipes the Absinthe is replaced with Pernod because Absinthe is hard to come by in some locations. Though this technically is no longer an Earthquake cocktail, you may receive one this way if you order it from a bar. Pernod is similar to Absinthe, but does not contain wormwood. http://www.ochef.com/322.htm

You will also need ice and one Collins glass. A Collins glass looks like this:

It is a glass tumbler typically big enough for twelve to fourteen ounces. http://www.webtender.com/db/glass/1

1. Fill a Collins glass about a quarter full with ice.
   
2. Fill 1/2 of the way full with Absinthe.
   
3. Fill the remainder with Cognac.
   
4. Stir with a straw and serve.

1. Fill a Collins glass about a quarter full with ice.
   
2. Add one of an ounce of Absinthe.
   
3. Add one ounce of Gin.
   
4. Add one ounce of Bourbon.
   
5. Stir with straw and serve.
   

If you prefer your cocktails shaken and not stirred either version's ingredients can be added to a cocktail shaker and shaken.