No taste like Licorice… or not.

Few people seem to know that a drink tasting what they call “Liquorice” is in reality Anise. Most Americans would know about Ouzo but should know that the taste is from Anise essential oil used in the confection of the drink. No Liquorice root!

The Arak found in Lebanon and many other Countries in that region, is made with grape and Anise seed, not the Liquorice root.

The French Pastis is made with Star Anise and the forbidden Absenthe was made with the Artemisia Absinthium herb. No Liquorice.

The Sambuca found in Italian bars is made with Star Anise essential oil. When served in a restaurant at the end of a dinner, the drink can come with 3 floating coffee grains, representing health, prosperity and happiness. No Liquorice here either! 

Let’s keep Liquorice for the root stick to chew, for a Liquorice infusion and for the black twisted candy… please!

Anise is the world!   Say after me: Hmm! Taste like Anise!

Just for the sake of avoiding a monster headache next morning after drinking Ouzo like drunken sailors, let’s fin out a little more about the drink and its traditions. First of all, it is a 40 to 45% alcohol beverage. It can be served as an aperitif, generally cut with water and ice which turn the drink into a milky white color, to accompany appetizers. Interesting to know that it is considered to be a poor form of drinking to absorb Ouzo without eating food in Greece. The shot of ice-cold Ouzo is not a Greek tradition. No wander!  Maybe it was not made for that, or unless one is on a WW2 Kamikaze mission with a Greek drink...