In order to be a true absinthe, it must contain grande wormwood, anise, and fennel. It must also be distilled, not artificially colored or sweetened, and not have any herbs floating. Absinthia Organic Absinthe meets these requirements. Our blanche simply uses grande wormwood, anise, fennel, and coriander, based on vintage Swiss recipes.
Below is a list of common herbs that can be used to make absinthe. The principal herbs or botanicals are grande wormwood, green anise, and fennel. Botanicals such as petite wormwood, hyssop and melissa give absinthe its green color. Many of the herbs used to make absinthe can be cultivated in climates that are similar to that of the Mediterranean.
Wormwood Latin: Artemisia absinthium. It is a member of the daisy family Compositae (Asteraceae). Is is also called grande wormwood or common wormwood. Use: Source of thujone and absinthe's bitterness. Green Anise Latin: Pimpinella anisum. It is a member of the Apiaceae family. It is also called aniseed. Use: Gives absinthe its licorice flavor. Counters absinthe bitterness. Helps to promote the absinthe louche. Fennel Latin: Foeniculum vulgare. It is a member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family. Use: Give absinthe its fennel and licorice flavor. Helps to counters absinthe bitterness. Helps promote the absinthe louche. Coriander Latin: Coriandrum sativum - It is an annual herb in the Apiaceae family. Use: Gives absinthe a citrus spiciness. Angelica Latin: Angelica archangelica (or A. litoralis) It is a member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family. Use: Counters absinthe bitterness. Hyssop Latin: Hyssopus officinalis - It is a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. Use: Adds freshness, and produces the green color common in most absinthe. Star Anise Latin: Illicuim verum (also Illicuim floridanum and several other species) - It is a member of the magnolia family, Magnoiliaceae (also Illiaceae). Use: Counters absinthe bitterness, enhances the louche. Peppermint Latin: Mentha x piperita - It is a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. Use: Adds minty freshness, and produces a vibrant green color if used to color absinthe. Very easy groundcover to cultivate. It can become quite invasive in the garden if left alone. Elecampane Latin: Inula Heleniumis - It is a perennial composite plant common in many parts of Great Britain. It is also called horse-heal or marchalan. Use: It adds a camphoraceous aroma and adds a pungent and bitter taste to adsinthe. Dittany Latin: Origanum dictamnus - It is a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) family Use: Provides a sweet-herbal taste with hints of sage and peppermint. Easy to grow, the same genus as oregano. Petite Wormwood Latin: Artemisia pontica. Also known as Roman Wormwood or small wormwood. Use: Wormwood aromatic, mild bitterness and for coloring absinthe green. Hyssop Latin: Hyssopus officinalis - It is a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. Use: Adds freshness. Typically used for coloring absinthe green. Lemon Balm Latin: Melissa officinalis - It is a member of the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. Use: Used to add a lemon/citrus flavor and for coloring absinthe green.