Absente Liqueur 750ML is a French absinthe distilled at 55% ABV (110 proof) from grande wormwood, star anise, and botanicals in the South of France. It holds the distinction of being the first legal absinthe recipe available in the United States since 1912, and earned 92 points from Tastings.com in 2023.Quick Facts: ABV: 55% (110 Proof) | Origin: Provence, France | Style: Absinthe | Distillery: Distilleries de ProvenceProduction & HeritageAbsente is produced by Distilleries de Provence in the South of France using artisanal distillation methods. The botanical bill includes grande wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), star anise, peppermint, sweet balm, and mugwort. Originally released with southernwood in place of true wormwood, the recipe was reformulated in 2009 to include genuine grande wormwood, bringing it closer to traditional pre-ban absinthe profiles. The liqueur's green color is achieved through yellow and blue food dyes rather than the natural chlorophyll coloring found in some traditional absinthes.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with aromatic freshness, led by dominant herbal notes of anise and wormwood. Star anise and fennel build underneath, giving it a layered, fragrant quality.Taste: The entry delivers balanced licorice sweetness that settles into the mid-palate with subtle spice and citrus undertones. Flavors of star anise, anise-spiced cookie, and fennel and star anise black tea develop as it progresses. The overall impression is unmistakably absinthe but noticeably sweeter, more floral, and more delicate than many other expressions in the category.Finish: The finish is clean, marked by a lingering bitterness that fades gently into soft herbal notes. Medium in length, it leaves a pleasant, dry botanical impression.How to Drink AbsenteThe traditional absinthe ritual suits this liqueur well: place a slotted spoon with a sugar cube over the glass, then slowly drip ice-cold water over the cube until the liquid louches to a milky, opalescent green. A ratio of roughly three to five parts water to one part Absente tempers the 110-proof intensity and opens up the botanicals. Beyond the classic serve, Absente works in several cocktails. A Corpse Reviver No. 2 benefits from its assertive anise backbone as a rinse or dash. A Death in the Afternoon — Absente topped with chilled Champagne — plays its floral sweetness against dry bubbles. An Absinthe Frappé built with simple syrup and crushed ice highlights the peppermint and fennel notes in a refreshing format.Best For Introducing a curious friend to the world of absinthe Building a home bar with essential classic cocktail ingredients Hosting a themed tasting exploring pre-ban absinthe history Gifting a spirits enthusiast who appreciates French botanical liqueurs Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Absente taste like? Absente delivers balanced licorice sweetness with floral and herbal complexity, featuring star anise, fennel, peppermint, and gentle wormwood bitterness on the finish. It reads as a sweeter, more delicate take on classic absinthe.How does Absente compare to Lucid Absinthe Supérieure? Absente tends toward a sweeter, more floral profile, while Lucid Absinthe Supérieure generally presents a drier, more herbaceous character that hews closer to traditional Swiss-style absinthe. Both were among the first absinthes widely available in the U.S. after the 2007 re-legalization, and for years they were the two most accessible options on American shelves.Is Absente good for beginners? Its sweeter, more approachable character makes Absente a solid entry point for drinkers new to absinthe, especially when served with the traditional water-drip method that softens the 110-proof strength.Where is Absente made? Absente is distilled by Distilleries de Provence in the South of France, a region with a long history of botanical spirit production and proximity to the herbs used in its recipe.What foods pair well with Absente? Dark chocolate truffles complement the licorice sweetness without overwhelming the botanicals. Grilled Mediterranean seafood, particularly prawns with fennel, mirrors the anise notes. Fresh goat cheese with herbs echoes the herbal profile. Lemon tarts provide citrus contrast that lifts the finish. Licorice-forward desserts like Italian pizzelle cookies create a harmonious pairing.What sizes does Absente come in? The standard bottle is 750ML, which is the most widely distributed size.Is Absente worth the price? Absente positions as an accessible, entry-level absinthe that delivers genuine grande wormwood distillation at a competitive price point within the category, making it a reasonable value for both casual exploration and cocktail use.Why Absente?Absente occupies a meaningful place in American spirits history as the first legal absinthe recipe to return to the U.S. market after nearly a century-long ban. Its 2009 reformulation with genuine grande wormwood addressed early criticism and brought the recipe in line with traditional absinthe expectations. The 92-point score from Tastings.com in 2023 confirms the current formula delivers real quality. For drinkers seeking a gateway into absinthe that balances historical authenticity with approachable flavor, Absente remains a relevant and well-established choice from a dedicated French distillery.
