Pastis

Pastis is an anise-flavored alcoholic beverage whose strength can be 40-45 degrees. It is produced in France, and its appearance stimulated a ban on the manufacture and distribution of absinthe - this fact caused a rapid surge in popularity for its all kinds of substitutes.

In mass quantities, Pastis began to be produced seventeen years after this ban was introduced in France. Less than a time passed when Pastis immediately after his appearance began to enjoy great love among the lovers of absinthe in the alcoholic beverages market.

In terms of manufacturing technology, Pastis is a strong alcoholic drink with a subtle aroma of anise and liquorice root, which is bottled, adding up to a hundred grams of sugar per liter of liquid. Moreover, if earlier Pastis was produced using only real herbs, then in the modern food industry they began to make do with extracts or their artificial substitutes.

Despite the fact that quite often Pastis causes associations with absinthe (its equally well-known predecessor), there is still a difference between them. For example, Pastis does not contain bitter wormwood, which is used in absinthe, and the drink owes its anise aroma to anise. It is a grass of the Umbrella family that is abundant in Asia and the Mediterranean.

In addition, in Pastis, unlike absinthe, there is an extract of licorice root, which is also a grass of Asian origin. The third difference from absinthe is that in essence, due to its high sugar content, Pastis is a liqueur.

In the United States and Northern Europe, Pastis is often mixed with juices based on various fruits, and in this case its colorlessness is important. Juices that have a tart smell, such as grapefruit, are best for mixing. But the fashion that flared up in the 1970s in Britain to consume Pastis with various drinks made of blackcurrants got into the very apple - Pernod-and-black or Pastis with blackcurrant liquor, as well as it with sweet cider - the Red Witch cocktail known in English bars (Red Witch).

In its pure form, Pastis is recommended to be served in small stacks with a thick bottom, and with about equal amount of water. In order to avoid the need to add ice, very cold water is used. By the way, sugar can be added to such a drink at will.