Pastis
Pastis is the anise drink from southern France. You drink it with ice-cold water, after which it turns milky white. What exactly pastis is, the difference between Ricard and Pernod, and which glass goes with it are explained here.
Ricard, Pernod and other anise drinks
Ricard and Pernod are the two best-known names. Around the Mediterranean, many more anise drinks are consumed, each with its own character.
Ricard
The pastis from Marseille, made according to Paul Ricard's 1932 recipe. Golden yellow and full-bodied.
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Pernod
The old absinthe house that later began making an anise drink based on star anise. Slightly lighter than Ricard.
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Absinthe
The green anise drink with wormwood from which pastis originated. Much stronger.
About absinthe →Anise, licorice and cold water
Pastis is a French aperitif with the flavor of anise. It is made from alcohol with star anise and licorice root, and often other herbs as well. Pastis originated as a successor to absinthe after that drink was banned in France at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is especially associated with Marseille and Provence: chilled, with plenty of water, on a sunny terrace.
Pastis is too strong and sharp when drunk neat. You always dilute it with cold water, usually 1 part pastis to 5 parts water. Then something remarkable happens: the clear drink becomes milky and cloudy. This is caused by the oil from the anise. It dissolves in alcohol, but not in water. As soon as you add water, the oil forms tiny droplets that scatter the light. Pastis is also used in cooking: a splash gives fish soup a delicate anise flavor.
In short
Two names, just a different character
Gall & Gall sells three anise drinks in this style. Ricard and Pernod have traditionally been competitors, but since 1975 they have been part of the same company: Pernod Ricard.
Ricard Pastis
Golden-yellow pastis from Marseille, still made according to Paul Ricard's 1932 recipe. Distinctive liquorice and a full anise flavor.
Pernod
Pernod became famous for absinthe and later began making an anise drink based on star anise. At 40%, it is slightly lighter than Ricard.
Pastis 10 cl
A small bottle of pastis. Enough to taste, or to add a splash to fish soup.
Pastis is France's answer to the ban on absinthe. Read on our absinthe page how that came about.
Anise and licorice, refreshing with water
Anise & liquorice
A powerful aroma of anise, like licorice or fennel. With Ricard, you can also clearly smell the liquorice.
Fresh and smooth
Diluted with water, pastis is surprisingly fresh and lightly sweet. The alcohol fades behind the anise.
Long and herbal
The anise lingers for a long time, with a slightly cooling sensation. That is why people in France enjoy drinking it so much when the weather is warm.
Flavor profile of Ricard, diluted with five parts water. Neat, pastis is much more powerful.
Three ways to drink pastis
You never drink pastis neat. Water is just as important as the pastis itself: the colder, the better.
The classic way
Pour 2 cl of pastis into a tumbler and top up with about 10 cl of ice-cold water from a carafe. You will see it turn white immediately. If you want ice, add it only after the water.
Glass: pastis glass →With syrup
In France, they often add a splash of syrup to pastis. With mint syrup, grenadine, or almond syrup, you get a sweeter and more colorful drink.
Mixing pastis →In the kitchen
A splash of pastis in a fish soup or a sauce for fish gives a soft anise flavor. The alcohol cooks off, but the flavor remains.
French wine with it →Pastis with a splash of color
In French cafés, you simply order these three by name. Always 2 cl of pastis, 1 cl of syrup, topped up with cold water.
Perroquet
Pastis with mint syrup. Fresh and green in color. With Monin Mojito Mint, you already have the syrup at home.
Tomate
Pastis with grenadine. Rosy red in color and slightly sweeter, with a hint of red fruit.
Mauresque
Pastis with almond syrup (orgeat). Creamy and smooth, it rounds out the anise flavor.
The right glass for pastis
A small, sturdy tumbler like the ones on a French terrace, with a carafe of ice-cold water beside it. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about pastis
Can't find your question here? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What is pastis (pastis drink)?
How much alcohol is in pastis?
What is the difference between Pernod and Ricard?
How do you drink pastis?
Why does pastis turn white with water?
Which glass do you use for pastis?
Buy pastis
Want the bottle at home right away? Order pastis online from Gall & Gall.
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