Definition: Pastis

An alcoholic aperitif drink flavoured with aniseed, which is drunk diluted with water and becomes cloudy on contact. There is a wide variety available, which can be divided into classic pastis, pastis with herbs and spices, aniseed and spirits with wormwood herbs. Regulations specify that it is an aperitif with a dominant taste of anise, which comes from ethanol. It is extracted from green anise, star anise and also fennel, using steam and a still. Regulations also require the addition of liquorice through maceration or infusion. Most pastis are sweetened (0.5 to 5%), which may not seem like much, but the liquorice and other plants contribute to the sweet taste. High-quality pastis, even those produced industrially, are the result of complex maceration and distillation processes that require a certain amount of time. On the other hand, low-cost industrial production, which unfortunately represents a significant share of the market, is completed in a matter of hours. It should be noted, however, that this very popular aperitif, like others with a very strong flavour, can detract from the taste of the first course of the meal that follows. See also Absinthe.