Absente is a

brand name A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's goods or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create and ...

of 110

proof Proof most often refers to: * Proof (truth), argument or sufficient evidence for the truth of a proposition * Alcohol proof, a measure of an alcoholic drink's strength Proof may also refer to: Mathematics and formal logic * Formal proof, a co ...

anise Anise (; '), also called aniseed or rarely anix, is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices and herbs, ...

liqueur A liqueur ( , ; ) is an alcoholic drink composed of Liquor, spirits (often rectified spirit) and additional flavorings such as sugar, fruits, herbs, and spices. Often served with or after dessert, they are typically heavily sweetened and un-age ...

that has been marketed under the tagline "

Absinthe Absinthe (, ) is an anise-flavored Liquor, spirit derived from several plants, including the flowers and leaves of ''Artemisia absinthium'' ("grand wormwood"), together with green anise, sweet fennel, and other medicinal and culinary herbs. His ...

Refined" since c. 2000. "Absente" is a French word that translates as "absent" in English.

In the U.S.

Prior to 2009, Absente sold in the U.S. contained no grande wormwood (''Artemisia absinthium''), the essential herb from which absinthe derives its name. The maker substituted southernwood (''

Artemisia abrotanum ''Artemisia abrotanum'', the southernwood, lad's love, or southern wormwood, is a species of flowering plant in the sunflower family. It is native to Eurasia and Africa but naturalized in scattered locations in North America. Other common name ...

'') and the product was bottled with sugar, two critical aspects that differentiated Absente as an anise liqueur and not an absinthe by any traditional reference. The ingredients of Absente are listed in order as alcohol, sugar, a combination of "essences", infusions and distillates, and two artificial dyes, FD&C Yellow #5 and Blue #1. Absente's U.S. marketing effort had long sought to associate the liqueur with traditional absinthe through statements such as, "''The only difference is we replaced Wormwood...with a less bitter cousin called Southern-Wormwood, also known as "Petite Absinthe," which allows us to offer Absente in the United States.''" The reference to "petite absinthe" is inaccurate, as ''petite absinthe'' refers invariably to 'Roman wormwood' (''

Artemisia pontica ''Artemisia pontica'', the Roman wormwood or small absinthe, is an herb used in the production of absinthe and vermouth. Originating in southeastern Europe (the specific name refers to the Pontus area on the shores of the Black Sea), it is natura ...

'') throughout credible distillation treatises, while 'southernwood' is historically referred to as ''aurone'', ''abrotone'', or ''armoise citronelle'', and is scarcely ever mentioned, if at all. At that time, Absente's website explained, "''By maintaining a form of wormwood in Absente, we are able to truly call Absente a modern Absinthe''." Following the re-legalization of genuine absinthe in the U.S. in 2007, the North American importer introduced a reformulated version that includes grande wormwood (April, 2009) in an apparent effort to improve its consumer appeal. The new label proclaims, "Now With Wormwood!". Since 2016 it has been marketed as “traditional absinthe with wormwood”

In Europe

The version marketed in

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

under the same name is and has always been made with "essence of grande wormwood" (''Artemisia absinthium''). The label design differs mildly from the U.S. version by having "Liqueur aux Plantes d'Absinthe" above the main label and a silver capsule.

References

External links

Official websiteUS importer's SiteThe Green Goddess
{{Absinthe Absinthes Anise liqueurs and spirits