How do the French drink pastis?

Pastis is normally diluted with water before drinking, generally five volumes of water for one volume of pastis, but often neat pastis is served together with a jug of water for the drinker to blend together according to preference.

How do French people drink pastis?

Pastis can be drunk pure, but is normally diluted with water. Generally it's about four to seven parts water to one part pastis. But you'll find it's often served neat, accompanied by a jug of water so the drinker can mix according to personal preference.

Do you drink pastis before or after a meal?

It is usually drunk as an aperitif, usually before a nice relaxing meal. It is quite similar to Ouzo from Greece, which makes sense because anise is a seed grown around the Mediterranean basin. Ouzo also is served ice-cold as an aperitif before the meal, but no water is added. (And no plates are smashed with Pastis.)

Why was pastis banned?

The Pastis has a very particular yellowish colour that becomes milky when prepared and mixed with water. Its invention dates to 1916, when absinthe or wormwood was banned in alcoholic beverages from France and Europe because this substance was believed to be hallucinogenic and toxic.

How do you drink Pernod pastis?

Pour in a glass: Add 1 to 1 ½ ounces Pastis or Pernod to a highball glass. Dilute with water: Serve with a pitcher of ice cold mineral water so the drinker can dilute the liqueur to their liking. The typical dilution is 4 to 6 parts water to 1 part Pastis.

Is pastis good for the stomach?

Pastis is an anise liqueur that calls Marseille home, but soothes stomachs of all nationalities with its peppermint and licorice-like qualities. It's meant to be mixed with water, so don't drink it neat for god's sake. If you take Rennie tablets for indigestion, try just drinking Pastis instead, it's way more fun.

Is pastis an aperitif or a digestif?

It's an aperitif to sip after spending languid summer afternoons in golden-stone villages or on the beach. Traditionally, the aperitif is associated with sleepy French village squares, and bars selling just one or two brands: Ricard or Pernod.

Are ouzo and pastis the same?

Ouzo (Greek: ούζο, IPA: [ˈuzo]) is a dry anise-flavored aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece. It is made from rectified spirits that have undergone a process of distillation and flavoring. Its taste is similar to other anise liquors like pastis, sambuca, rakı and arak.

Is pastis a strong drink?

Pastis is a booze-heavy, anise-flavored spirit and aperitif most commonly produced in the south of France. The spirit generally clocks in at around 40-45% ABV and boasts less than 100 grams per liter of sugar. The name pastis comes from the occitan word for mash-up.

What time of day do you drink pastis?

Pastis is an essential drink for the apero, that friendly moment before dinner so important in France.

Is pastis the same as ouzo?

Pastis is more licorice and anise-flavored. If you've had arak, ouzo, or raki before, these are similar spirits.

Why is pastis so good?

Its signature flavor, similar to tarragon, liquorice, and fennel, comes from the anethole oil present in its foliage and seeds. This compound turns pastis from clear yellow to opaque white upon mixing it with water.