Which liqueur is flavored with wormwood?

The liqueur flavored with wormwood is absinthe. Its defining botanical is grand wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), traditionally combined with green anise and sweet fennel to create its intensely herbal, licorice-like profile.

Absinthe emerged as a distilled spirit in the late 18th century in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel and became strongly associated with France, especially Parisian cafés and artists. It was often called la fée verte, or “the green fairy,” because traditionally colored versions have a vivid green hue.

A common mix-up is confusing absinthe with pastis or ouzo. All are anise-flavored spirits, but classic pastis and ouzo do not use wormwood as their defining ingredient. Absinthe is also often called a liqueur in casual speech, although traditional absinthe is generally an unsweetened, high-proof spirit. It is commonly diluted with water, which can make it turn cloudy in a process called the louche.