Thujone is most famous for being a compound in the spirit absinthe. In the past it was thought that absinthe contained up to 260–350 mg/L thujone,[12] but modern tests have shown this to be far too high. A 2008 study of 13 pre-ban (1895–1910) bottles using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) found that the bottles had between 0.5 mg/L and 48.3 mg/L and averaged 25.4 mg/L [13][14] A 2005 study recreated three 1899 high-wormwood recipes and tested with GC-MS, and found that the highest contained 4.3 mg/L thujone.[15] GC-MS testing is important in this capacity, because gas chromatography alone may record an inaccurately high reading of thujone as other compounds may interfere with and add to the apparent measured amount.[16]

Absinthe produced under the modern EU (European Union) limits for thujone content may have a maximum of 10 mg/L if >25% alcohol, and 35 mg/L for "bitters" with less alcohol.[13] Some modern producers list their thujone levels on the bottle, with some producers claiming over 100 mg/L thujone.