Absinthe is a distilled, highly alcoholic (over 50%), anise-flavored spirit derived from herbs, including Artemisia absinthium, also called wormwood. Absinthe is typically of a natural green color.... [Although sometimes mistakenly called a liqueur, it is not bottled with added sugar and is therefore classified as a spirit.] Absinthe is uncommon among spirits in that it is bottled at a high proof but is historically diluted with water when it is drunk.