Absinthe "the holy trinity." Many other herbs may be used as well, such as petite wormwood ("Artemisia pontica" or Roman wormwood), hyssop, melissa, star anise, angelica, peppermint, coriander, and veronica. Adding to absinthe's negative reputation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, unscrupulous makers of the drink omitted the traditional colouring phase of production in favour of adding toxic copper salts to artificially induce a green tint. This practice may be responsible for some of the alleged toxicity historically associated with this beverage. Many modern day producers resort to similar (but non-deadly) shortcuts, including the use of artificial food colouring
Chartreuse (liqueur) color chartreuse, which was first used as a term of color in 1884. It is one of the handful of liqueurs that continue to age and improve in the bottle. Green Chartreuse (110 proof or 55% ABV) is a naturally green liqueur made from 130 herbs and other plants macerated in alcohol and steeped for about eight hours. A last maceration of plants gives its color to the liqueur. Yellow Chartreuse (80 proof or 40%), which has a milder and sweeter flavour and aroma. VEP stands for "Vieillissement Exceptionnellement Prolongé", meaning "exceptionally prolonged aging". It is made using the same