absinthe
[ AB-sinth ]
Reputed to be an aphrodisiac, absinthe is a potent, bitter
LIQUEUR distilled from
WORMWOOD and flavored with a variety of herbs. It has a distinct
ANISE flavor and is 68 percent alcohol (136
PROOF). Absinthe is usually diluted with water, which changes the color of the
LIQUEUR from green to milky white. Because it's considered habit forming and hazardous to health, absinthe is prohibited in many countries and was banned in the United States in the early 1900s.
© Copyright Barron's Educational Services, Inc. 1995 based on THE FOOD LOVER'S
COMPANION, 2nd edition, by Sharon Tyler Herbst.