Hill’s Absinthe single-handedly resurrected this storied spirit from near oblivion in the early 1990s. In fact, our exceptional absinthe includes more than 10 hand-selected herbs and spices, as well as the infamous main ingredient from which it takes its name, Artemisia absinthium (or grand wormwood). Hill’s takes care to use only the finest quality herbs and distilling processes, following original recipes established in the early 1900s. Its unique low-anise flavour is the perfect complement to your favourite mixed drinks. If flames aren’t your thing, try Hill’s with a splash of soda, in a cocktail, or in a Martini.

This is far from commonplace and to date, only one historical red (or 'rouge') brand has been discovered.Distilled according to a century-old Czech tradition, Hill’s Absinthe is as world-renowned as the fiery ritual that absinthe drinkers have come to know and love. Absinthe can also be naturally coloured red using hibiscus flowers. Today most manufacturers also add artificial colouring to produce and or stabilise the emerald green colour that was originally due to the presence of chlorophyll from the plants. Lesser amounts of cinnamon, mint, calamus (sweet flag), coriander, angelica, star anise, dittany (burning-bush), juniper, nutmeg and veronica (gypsyweed) may also be used. Authentic absinthe also typically contains petite wormwood, hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Melissa (lemon balm). The principal botanicals used in absinthe are grande wormwood, green anise (not to be confused with star anise) and Florence fennel, often referred to as 'the holy trinity'. Today Europe is awash with wine rather than plagued by Phylloxera and some modern-day absinthes are once again distilled from grape spirit. As European vineyards were devastated from Phylloxera producers started to use alcohol made from grain, molasses or sugar beet.

Originally absinthe was redistilled from a white grape spirit (or eau de vie) as in the area it was created that was the most available base spirit. In the same way as gin distillers use different botanical recipes, different absinthe manufacturers use slightly different ingredients and production methods. as these are likely to be made using this method. Thus please choose your absinthe carefully and avoid absinthes much over 70% alc./vol. Some unscrupulous brand owners take advantage of the lack of regulation surrounding absinthe production by describing such cold compounded absinthes as being distilled, using the fact the base spirit was produced by distillation as a defence. This is comparable to what is commonly termed 'bathtub' gin. Many modern absinthes are produced by cold compounding, basically cold mixing of flavouring oils and artificial colouring with a neutral alcohol. and water may also be added at this stage to reduce strength. Typically absinthes are bottled at 50-75% alc./vol. Many aficionados consider the presence of natural chlorophyll essential to truly complex absinthe as it is said to play the same role in the development of ageing absinthe as tannins do in wine.Ībsinthe is said to benefit from a marrying period and some producers rest their product in neutral barrels or vats at this stage. This type of absinthe is known as a verte (French for green).

Botanicals commonly including petite wormwood, hyssop and melissa are steeped in the distillate to release their flavours, but also chlorophyll which traditionally gave absinthe its signature emerald colour. Traditionally French absinthe undergoes a secondary maceration after distillation. Some clear (Blanche or la Bleue) absinthes are bottled clear at this stage or the product can simply be coloured by the addition of artificial or natural colouring. Naturally, this distillation results in a colourless distillate which usually leaves the still at just over 70% alc./vol. In both cases, botanicals are macerated in alcohol before being redistilled one or more times, usually in a copper pot still. The similarities between the distillation of absinthe and gin are striking. Also like gin, absinthe can be made using distillation or cold compounding (mixing) with better quality absinthes being those that are distilled. Like gin, absinthe is essentially a flavoured vodka.

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