He's considering serving it with Swiss Miss or Nestle's chocolate mix - something that would give absinthe a smooth taste but fit in at the kind-of-alternative, kind-of-retro-cowboy bar and restaurant.

The drink is better than the smell.

"Not many people are accustomed to it," bartender Andrew Schnell says.

Although Karma offers the full decanter presentation, the bar has had more success selling Kubler absinthe in a mixed drink. The Van Gone is a blend of champagne, peach schnapps and absinthe. The Red Fairy is absinthe mixed with Red Bull.

Schnell says the most popular drink is The Velvet, a blend of Ketel One Citron vodka, absinthe, pineapple juice and lime juice.

"It's probably the easiest and smoothest to go down," he said.

All of Karma's absinthe drinks cost $8.

Piloczewski, who drinks the 106-proof alcohol straight up, said he tested the absinthe reputation, downing 14 shots in an hour. He says he heard later that he acted silly but didn't hallucinate.