Taste

Anise spirits have a strong anise flavour.

Anise spirits are flavoured using star anise, aniseed or fennel. The anethole contained in these spirits turns milky white when water is added.

Usage

Anise spirits are traditionally used for socialising, in which case they are mixed with plenty of water. If the drink contains anethole, it will turn white when water is added to the drink.

Anise spirits can also be served well-chilled as shots. As shots, anise spirit is served well-chilled, at 4–6°C.

How to serve

Anise spirits have various names in different parts of Europe:

Pastis is a French anise spirit flavoured with, for example, liquorice root.

Ouzo comes from Greece and Cyprus, while raki is Turkish.

Absinthe is a greenish dry spirit with strong herbal notes, flavoured using wormwood.