Ricard Anise Aperitif 750ml

Ricard traces back to Paul Ricard, born into a Marseille wine merchant family, who was introduced to homemade pastis by an old shepherd as a young man. Working in an improvised laboratory in the Marseille suburb of Sainte-Marthe, he spent years macerating Provençal herbs, fennel seed, and aniseed essence in search of a more refined version of the anise spirits already popular in local cafes, many of which were illicitly produced and too sweet for his taste. In 1932, at just twenty two, he perfected his recipe and founded the Ricard company, marketing it as the true pastis of Marseille. The brand merged with rival Pernod in 1975 to form Pernod Ricard, now one of the world's largest spirits groups.

The pastis is built from star anise, licorice root, and fennel seed, along with a secret blend of additional herbs, all macerated in neutral spirit before being sweetened and filtered. Only a small amount of anise oil, called anethole, is needed to flavor each batch, and it is this compound that causes the spirit to turn cloudy when mixed with water. The finished pastis is bottled at forty five percent alcohol by volume.

Ricard pours a bright golden amber and carries a forward aroma of licorice and anise. Diluted with water, it turns milky white and opens into a smooth, herbal character balancing sweet anise against subtle Provençal bitterness.