In 1797, Henri-Louis Pernod founded the first major absinthe distillery in Pontarlier, France, after acquiring a traditional recipe. This establishment marked the beginning of commercial absinthe production, making the spirit widely available and popular among consumers. Pernod's distillery played a significant role in the cultural and social history of absinthe, which became associated with bohemian lifestyles in the 19th century.

Commercialization enabled its adoption by bohemian circles, inspiring poetic rituals and imagery of the 'Green Fairy' in 19th-century French verse. Poets like Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine celebrated the allure and mystique of absinthe, using it as a metaphor for artistic inspiration and existential exploration.