Absinthe is historically described as a distilled, highly alcoholic beverage (45–74 % ABV). Absinthe traditionally has a natural green color but may also be colorless.Traditional absinthes obtain their green color strictly from the chlorophyll of whole herbs, which is extracted from the plants during the secondary maceration. This step involves steeping plants such as petite wormwood, hyssop, and melissa (among other herbs) in the distillate.