Absinthe State Of Mind

Ever since it has been brought back into the spotlight, the Bohemian in me has been licking its lips at the beckoning green fairy from within the alluring haze. I've seen it pop up in anything from movies like Dracula (the Gary Oldman version), From Hell, Moulin Rouge and Eurotrip, and the infamous Nine Inch Nails music video The Perfect Drug, to the recent mystery of the disappearance of a groom on a honeymoon cruise ship.
I must say I'm absolutely fascinated with the drink, and like anything else thats banned or illegalized, it has sparked my interest. Is any other alcoholic beverage banned internationally, including the States?
After doing some 'research' on it, I have come to the conclusion that its notoriety is well deserved. Even its mere preparation is seductive, let alone its captivating bottle. The traditional way of preparing absinthe is to pour a small amount of the fairy into a tumbler, and dip a spoon with a sugar cube into it until the cube is drenched with the potent mix. Set the cube on fire and let it burn over the glass. When the flame extinguishes, swirl the bubbling sugar into the absinthe and add water to dilute the drink. Pure absinthe is toxic, if not fatal. I'm a die-hard Goth sub-community culture fan, and its dark mystique brings to mind tortured artists and dark poets. Being the drug of choice amongst artists including Van Gogh, Picasso and Oscar Wilde, this elixir has caused the humble artist in me to beg for a chance to have a sip. The obscurity surrounding absinthe is making me yearn for the day when I will finally be able to visit Spain, one of the few countries where it isn't banned, and have my hand at this forbidden indulgence.
Anyone up for an artistic creativity unleashing, potentially insanity inducing, hallucinogenic aphrodisiac experience, say aaaaay!