Absinthe is poured into a glass over a sugar cube in a traditional preparation called the ‘absinthe ritual’. Absinthe is one of the many liqueurs that uses anise to give it its unique flavour. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto
How anise went from medicinal plant to raki, sambuca, ouzo and pastis ingredient
- Anise-flavoured drinks are popular all around the Mediterranean. The plant was used for thousands of years for medicines before becoming an alcohol flavouring
- Star anise, from a different plant native to China and Vietnam but with the same licorice taste, made its way to the West and eventually into those same drinks
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Absinthe is poured into a glass over a sugar cube in a traditional preparation called the ‘absinthe ritual’. Absinthe is one of the many liqueurs that uses anise to give it its unique flavour. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto
