Absente

Prior to 2009, Absente sold in the U.S. contained no grande wormwood (Artemisia absinthium),[1] the essential herb from which absinthe derives its name.

The maker substituted southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) 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,[2] and two artificial dyes, FD&C Yellow #5 and Blue #1.

[3] 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.

Following the re-legalization of genuine absinthe in the U.S. in 2007,[8] the North American importer introduced a reformulated version that includes grande wormwood (April, 2009)[9] in an apparent effort to improve its consumer appeal.