In late 19th-century France, particularly during the Belle Époque period, 5 p.m. became known as "l'heure verte" or "the green hour," signifying the time when people gathered to enjoy absinthe.  This ritual highlighted the drink's cultural significance and its integration into daily social life.

Absinthe was a favored muse for many renowned artists and writers, including Vincent van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, and Ernest Hemingway.  Its purported mind-altering effects were thought to enhance creativity, leading to its romanticized image in artistic circles.  (Modern research has since debunked these myths, attributing the exaggerated effects to overconsumption and adulteration.)