We recently hosted our monthly “Booze Group” and held a tasting of licorice alcohol, paired with Greek food. The most commonly known licorice-tasting drinks are Ouzo, Sambuca, Pastis, Pernod and Absinthe. Others include Arak, Anisette/Anis, Raki, Aguardiente and Xtabentun. Read on for details of the anise-flavored booze we tasted, and the menu.
Licorice Alcohol
Almost every region offers an anise-flavored alcoholic beverage. The licorice flavor usually comes from anise or star anise. Anise is a plant with long stems and white flowers, and star anise is a fruit from a tree related to the magnolia family. We contributed Pernod Paris (France), and Ouzo Metaxa (Greece) to the tasting. The other two couples brought Absente Absinthe Refined (France) and Yeni Raki (Turkey). First, we sipped them, next we added ice to them, and finally we crafted co*cktails. Each featured unique flavors, and subsequently the group liked all of them.
Absente Absinthe Refined (France)
Absente crafts Absinthe Refined in southeastern France. This is 110 proof, using high-quality artisanal distillation methods and ingredients. The recipe includes the botanical wormwood, the key ingredient of an authentic absinthe recipe. Consumers have always known that wormwood contains digestive and antiseptic properties. However, In the mid-19th century, people started to use it for its supposed hallucinogenic effects, caused by the thujone (naturally present in the herb). As a result, it was banned in 1912. Almost a century later, in 1999, this recipe became the first absinthe containing thujone available in the U.S. since the ban. On the other hand, Absente limits the thujone level to 10mg per liter.
Mey Yeni Raki (Turkey)
Mey Yeni Raki is the world’s most produced and popular raki. Yeni Raki features an intense anise scent and characteristic taste, containing 20 different grapes from Turkey within its ingredients. Moreover, their anise comes only from the Western Anatolian Regions. In production since 1944, it is also one of the oldest raki brands in Turkey. Mey double distills Yeni Raki in traditional copper flasks. They do not add other extracts or herbs, which isn’t always the case in other aniseed spirits.
Pernod Paris (France)
The oldest anise liqueur in France, Pernod Ricard makes this brand from distillates of star anise, fennel and 14 other botanicals such as coriander and mint. The original version also included wormwood and was produced as absinthe since1805. Today’s Pernod began in 1938, although the company released a reformulated absinthe-based on the original recipe in 2005. Now established in over 110 countries, Pernod Paris is renowned for its subtle flavors. It has a low licorice content, which consequently sets it apart from pastis.
Ouzo Metaxa (Greece)
I initially tasted this Ouzo by Metaxa when I was in Greece many years ago. Not surprisingly, Ouzo is a classic Greek alcoholic beverage. In the early 1900s, the Metaxa distillery in Piraeus created many alcoholic drinks, including the popular Ouzo. These days, it’s the number-one selling Ouzo in the US, with a clean, crisp anise taste. Metaxa makes it from a precise combination of Tsipoura (pressed grapes) and select herbs and berries including aniseed, licorice, mint, wintergreen, fennel and hazelnut. Master distillers at the House of Metaxa handed down Its unique recipe for generations.
Menu to Pair with Licorice Alcohol
Here is the menu served at our Booze Group event. First, we sipped our drinks with appetizers, next came dinner and dessert.
Appetizers: Shrimp Santorini and Pita/Hummus
Dinner: Greek salad, BBQ Flank steak and Potatoes Zorba
Dessert: Tiger Tail (Licorice ice cream with Orange sherbet)
Summary: Licorice Alcohol
In conclusion, we love licorice-flavored beverages. And there are so many to choose from. They pair well with certain food flavors, but also are tasty enough to enjoy as an aperitif or digestif. We will not have any difficulties finishing our contributions to this group event.
Meanwhile, find us on Instagram,FacebookandTwitter. And of course, here, atWrite for Wine– It’s Wine O’Clock Somewhere.
Cheers!
Margot and Dave
FAQs
The liquorice aroma, characteristic of certain great Bordeaux red wines, comes from the cyclotene molecule. When the staves are heated by fire, the pyrolysis of the cellulose increases the concentration of this molecule in the wood.
What is the alcohol that tastes like black licorice? ›
The most commonly known licorice-tasting drinks are Ouzo, Sambuca, Pastis, Pernod and Absinthe. Others include Arak, Anisette/Anis, Raki, Aguardiente and Xtabentun.
What is the Greek liquor that tastes like licorice? ›
Ouzo is a licorice-flavored spirit created from alcohol, water, and anise seeds. Additional flavors are commonly added using coriander, fennel, or mastic. The resulting beverage is strong, sweet, and flavorful in all the right ways. Ouzo is typically served chilled and mixed with water.
What is the saying about liquor before wine? ›
You've likely heard the rhymes before. Wine before liquor, never sicker. Beer before wine, and you'll feel fine. Liquor before beer, you're in the clear.
Is licorice good or bad for your health? ›
Although licorice root is generally considered safe as a food ingredient, it can cause serious side effects, including increased blood pressure and decreased potassium levels, when consumed in large amounts or for long periods of time.
Is licorice used in alcohol? ›
During the preparation of Liquorice Liqueur, the liquorice root is minced and treated with boiling water, the obtained aqueous extract is evaporated until a black soft mass is obtained. This is the main and natural ingredient of our liqueur, with a low alcohol content and its strong and unmistakable licorice flavor.
What is the Italian liqueur that tastes like licorice? ›
Sambuca is produced by the infusion of elder bush and licorice, sweetened with sugar and enhanced with a secret combination of herbs and spices. Tasting Notes: Romana Sambuca is a distinctive, flavorful and unique Italian liqueur.
What is the Mexican liquor that tastes like licorice? ›
Xtabentún (Spanish pronunciation: [(i)ʃtaβenˈtun]) is an anise liqueur made in Mexico's Yucatán region from anise seed and fermented honey produced by honey bees from the nectar of xtabentún flowers. Rum is then added to the anise and honey mixture.
What is the green drink that tastes like licorice? ›
Absinthe is a strong alcoholic beverage, and it has a strong taste to match. In his short story “Hills Like White Elephants,” Ernest Hemingway likened absinthe's flavor to licorice. Many would agree with this comparison — but the Wormwood Society argues that quality absinthe should never taste like licorice candy.
What French drink tastes like licorice? ›
Pastis is an herbal liqueur that gets its anise and liquorice notes from ingredients like anise seeds, fennel, and licorice root itself.
Ojen was originally produced in the mid-1800s in southern Spain. New Orleans, a town with a fondness for licorice-flavored spirits, became its most enthusiastic importer. By the mid-20th century, Ojen was popular as an absinthe replacement, and had a particular cache during Carnival season.
What is Israeli alcohol licorice? ›
Arak is traditionally made of grapes and aniseed (the seeds of the anise plant); when crushed, their oil provides arak with a slight licorice taste. Dates, figs, and other fruits are sometimes added. Typically, arak is a minimum of 50% alcohol by volume (ABV), and can be up to 70% ABV (126 proof).
Is liquor or beer worse for your stomach? ›
Alcoholic beverages with low ethanol content (beer and wine) are strong stimulants of gastric acid secretion and gastrin release, the effect of beer being equal to the maximal acid output. Beverages with a higher ethanol content (whisky, gin, cognac) do not stimulate gastric acid secretion or release of gastrin.
What not to mix with wine? ›
6 Foods That Don't Pair With Wine
- Chocolate. Why It Doesn't Work. ...
- Brussel Sprouts. Why It Doesn't Work. ...
- Asparagus. Why It Doesn't Work. ...
- Blue Cheese. Why It Doesn't Work. ...
- Sushi. Why It Doesn't Work. ...
- Soy Sauce. Why It Doesn't Work.
“It's not a typo,” Gallia, the drink's manufacturer explained, on its Web site, of “vière,” adding that “we wanted to switch things up by combining two malts that we love.” Vin (wine) + bière (beer) = vière.
Why does absinthe taste like black licorice? ›
Absinthe flavor is distinctly noted as black licorice. This intense flavor is due to the mix of herbs that go into absinthe, including anise and fennel. The best quality absinthe options have a lighter black licorice flavor. However, there isn't any absinthe that completely escapes that flavor profile.
What is the warning about black licorice? ›
So, if you like eating black licorice, it's best that you don't eat large amounts of it at one time—regardless of how old you are, the FDA says. The FDA also advises that people who experience irregular heart rhythms or muscle weakness should stop eating black licorice immediately and contact their doctor.
Is black licorice the only real licorice? ›
Licorice root provides the pungent sweetness that black licorice likers love and others loathe. You won't find it in red licorice, and some black licorice candies use artificial flavors or anise oil, which has a similar flavor.
What is the purpose of black licorice? ›
The chemicals in licorice are thought to decrease swelling, decrease cough, and increase the chemicals in our body that heal ulcers. Many "licorice" products made in the U.S. actually don't contain licorice. They contain anise oil, which has the smell and taste of "black licorice".
We recently hosted our monthly “Booze Group” and held a tasting of licorice alcohol, paired with Greek food. The most commonly known licorice-tasting drinks are Ouzo, Sambuca, Pastis, Pernod and Absinthe. Others include Arak, Anisette/Anis, Raki, Aguardiente and Xtabentun. Read on for details of the anise-flavored booze we tasted, and the menu.
Almost every region offers an anise-flavored alcoholic beverage. The licorice flavor usually comes from anise or star anise. Anise is a plant with long stems and white flowers, and star anise is a fruit from a tree related to the magnolia family. We contributed Pernod Paris (France), and Ouzo Metaxa (Greece) to the tasting. The other two couples brought Absente Absinthe Refined (France) and Yeni Raki (Turkey). First, we sipped them, next we added ice to them, and finally we crafted co*cktails. Each featured unique flavors, and subsequently the group liked all of them.
Absente crafts Absinthe Refined in southeastern France. This is 110 proof, using high-quality artisanal distillation methods and ingredients. The recipe includes the botanical wormwood, the key ingredient of an authentic absinthe recipe. Consumers have always known that wormwood contains digestive and antiseptic properties. However, In the mid-19th century, people started to use it for its supposed hallucinogenic effects, caused by the thujone (naturally present in the herb). As a result, it was banned in 1912. Almost a century later, in 1999, this recipe became the first absinthe containing thujone available in the U.S. since the ban. On the other hand, Absente limits the thujone level to 10mg per liter.
Mey Yeni Raki is the world’s most produced and popular raki. Yeni Raki features an intense anise scent and characteristic taste, containing 20 different grapes from Turkey within its ingredients. Moreover, their anise comes only from the Western Anatolian Regions. In production since 1944, it is also one of the oldest raki brands in Turkey. Mey double distills Yeni Raki in traditional copper flasks. They do not add other extracts or herbs, which isn’t always the case in other aniseed spirits.
The oldest anise liqueur in France, Pernod Ricard makes this brand from distillates of star anise, fennel and 14 other botanicals such as coriander and mint. The original version also included wormwood and was produced as absinthe since1805. Today’s Pernod began in 1938, although the company released a reformulated absinthe-based on the original recipe in 2005. Now established in over 110 countries, Pernod Paris is renowned for its subtle flavors. It has a low licorice content, which consequently sets it apart from pastis.
I initially tasted this Ouzo by Metaxa when I was in Greece many years ago. Not surprisingly, Ouzo is a classic Greek alcoholic beverage. In the early 1900s, the Metaxa distillery in Piraeus created many alcoholic drinks, including the popular Ouzo. These days, it’s the number-one selling Ouzo in the US, with a clean, crisp anise taste. Metaxa makes it from a precise combination of Tsipoura (pressed grapes) and select herbs and berries including aniseed, licorice, mint, wintergreen, fennel and hazelnut. Master distillers at the House of Metaxa handed down Its unique recipe for generations.