Anisette liqueur, any recommendations

[Luc]

There are plenty of liqueurs, spirits and drinks that I can have after a meal. Usualy to help the process of digestion but other time, because it's nice. I am not looking at mixed drink or other type of drink than anise/anisette.

I am trying to find a good anise based liqueur down under and I have some difficulties. This time, it's not because there isn't any, there's too many. Yes, I know, I shouldn't complaint but if I can get the good stuff right away, that would be great!

I am looking for a drink that I can have by itself so it must be mild but still taste like something.

Any recommendations? How do you drink it yourself?(on the rocks, by itself, chilled, with water)

 

[rm71]

I haven't seen much range in terms of that liquer. I remember dad used to make his own. The one that is readily availabe around me is Galiano. I like it straight or it is great in coffee.

 

[Luc]

Yes, I've seen Galliano at the market but there's a white, yellow and black bottle... Which bottle is the right bottle?

 

[SiBurning]

There's Ouzo and Pernod. Sambuca is another option. A third option is kummel, which is caraway, cumin, and fennel (anise). Can't give specifics because I can't abide the stuff. Too sweet for me. Although, I haven't tried kummel.

 

[knlgskr]

Abisante, Abson, Anisette, Herbsaint, Mistra, Ojen, Oxygene. It is good straight up, over ice with or without water added which causes it to turn milky. Sazerac is perhaps the best known cocktail.

 

[tsmba]

I thought of Ricard.

 

[Luc]

Ouzo, Pernod, Sambuca and Ricard are very easy to get. Galliano too...

I thought Ricard was a pastis and needs water (1:4 or 1:5) to be enjoyable? Can you have it by itself?

 

[TinFish]

Luc,
I have heard that Melbourne has quite a large Greek population....is Ouzo hard to find?
I personally love the stuff up or on the rocks (it too becomes milky) I find it quite refreshing over ice. Yiassou!

Pete

 

[Luc]

Every bottle shop has Ouzo. Those are very easy to find. I never had any, if you have a few brand that you know, let me know and I will have a look. However, I think Ouzo is a spirit, not a liqueur?

 

[TinFish]

The only Ouzo I can find here is Ouzo by Metaxa. The label says "Specialty Liqueur"
I haven't tried any others. Sorry I can't be of more help there.

 

[rm71]

Yes, I've seen Galliano at the market but there's a white, yellow and black bottle... Which bottle is the right bottle?

The white one. I have have not tried the yellow.

Sambuca is another option

Forgot about that one. Sambuca is good also.

 

[Augusto87]

There are plenty of liqueurs, spirits and drinks that I can have after a meal. Usualy to help the process of digestion but other time, because it's nice. I am not looking at mixed drink or other type of drink than anise/anisette.

I am trying to find a good anise based liqueur down under and I have some difficulties. This time, it's not because there isn't any, there's too many. Yes, I know, I shouldn't complaint but if I can get the good stuff right away, that would be great!

I am looking for a drink that I can have by itself so it must be mild but still taste like something.

Any recommendations? How do you drink it yourself?(on the rocks, by itself, chilled, with water)

Hey Luc,

I would suggest Chartreuse as a fantastic anise based liqueur. There are two types which you can buy, the green chartreuse and the yellow. The yellow chartreuse has a lower alcohol concentration and is both milder and sweeter.

Hope that helps.

 

[pmast]

I like Sambuca neat with a cup of strong black coffee. After a meal you alternate sips. The sweetness that lingers on your palate from the sambuca is a great balance to the coffee and it is very different from just mixing the two. Just my two cents.

 

[Maduro]

If you want a brand recommendation for sambuca, Molinari is considered the finest however I find Romana excellent as well.

 

[zachster]

Every bottle shop has Ouzo. Those are very easy to find. I never had any, if you have a few brand that you know, let me know and I will have a look. However, I think Ouzo is a spirit, not a liqueur?

Of the major brands, Ouzo 12 is the best (Metaxa is sort of syrupy). If there is a Greek import shop that sells it, one of the better small brands is Ouzo Plomariou.

 

[TinFish]

As I posted earlier, Ouzo by Metaxa is the only one I've had and I love it. If I can find one of those others, I'd love to try them. Thanks Zach!

 

[tsmba]

I guess Pernod and Ricard may not be liqueurs. Do any of you drink them as pastis? I've read about drinking pastis and have tried it myself. Its strange how, when you add water to the clear liquor, it turns milky.

 

[Tom C]

I used to enjoy Marie Brizard, a pure Anisette that's easy to find in the US (and maybe down under too?). Although rather sweet, it lacks the high alcohol content of Sambuca, Chartreuse and some of the other anise-based liqueurs. It's not terribly expensive and worth trying if you can find it locally.

 

[Stubblefield]

Of the major brands, Ouzo 12 is the best (Metaxa is sort of syrupy). If there is a Greek import shop that sells it, one of the better small brands is Ouzo Plomariou.

Good stuff. I keep my Ouzo in the freezer.

 

[Fnord5]

I guess Pernod and Ricard may not be liqueurs. Do any of you drink them as pastis? I've read about drinking pastis and have tried it myself. Its strange how, when you add water to the clear liquor, it turns milky.

It's from the high concentration of oils. When you pour water in, the alcohol would rather bond with the water, and it kicks the oils loose.


My favorite, is Absinthe. A favorite bedtime drink for me, as it gives me some trippy dreams.
Extremely strong anise flavor.