Today’s post is clearly influenced by my recent re-reading of Peter Mayle’s “A Year in Provence” – a charming story about a British man who relocates with his wife to southern France and learns to appreciate the oddities of the rustic French locals. Having lived in Provence myself, the story brought back many great memories of the wonderful cuisine and beverages of this picturesque region of the world. Although Provence is a veritable treasure chest of great wines, no one drink defines Provence as much as pastis.
Pastis is Provence. Born in Marseilles, the swarthy vibrant soul of southern France, this beverage is an integral part of French culture - being served as a before dinner drink at numerous gatherings, as a café tipple on a hot afternoon, or as a way to greet somebody who has come over for a great conversation. I have lived with several French families and every one from Brittany to Nice has had pastis in their cabinet, but nowhere is it more popular than in the south where it is consumed in massive quantities.
So what is pastis? Pastis is an anise based herbal liquer that is generally served one way – in a tall glass with a few ice cubes (yes – the French have them!) and water. The ratio of pastis to water is about 1 to 5. It is a necessity to pour the pastis first and then watch as the water transforms the brownish liquid into a beautiful cream color. I know that anise can be a terrifying proposal, but pastis transcends – I know multiple people who hate black licorice and enjoy a good pastis, so don’t let the anise scare you away.
In France, you can find many brands of pastis and every true Frenchman has an opinion as to which one is the best. If you are in the United States, the most accessible brand is Ricard and a bottle goes for about $20 (or less in low tax states) for a 750mL bottle. It’s worth pointing out that a bottle lasts longer than a 750mL of a whiskey, vodka, or rum because of the mixing ratio.
Pastis is probably not for everybody who hasn’t been raised on cream colored water based herbal beverages, but I do guarantee that it is refreshing on a warm day and makes a great before dinner drink. It’s also a great beverage for people who want a nice drink but are watching their waistlines (80% water!). Enjoy!
