You can order absinthe at the counter and you frequently see people sipping the 'little green fairy' at cafes and bars. It is technically illegal in France and has been for years because of the strange hallucinations an over-indulgence can cause. At one time it was thought to be responsible for a series of high-profile murders in Paris and this promoted the authorites to ban the drink. Absinthe, which is very potent even when mixed with lemonade, is on sale in the UK and is frequently used as a cocktail base, partly because of its magnificent colour.