The world of spirits is hugely diverse, yet there are some groups that share certain characteristics. One particular group stands out because of their distinctive feature: the delicious and distinctive flavour of aniseed. In this blog, we take a look at four famous aniseed flavours: Raki, Pastis, Sambuca and Ouzo. What do they have in common, and how can you tell them apart?
Raki
Raki is a traditional Turkish drink, often referred to as "the lion's milk" because of its milky colour when water is added. It is usually made from grapes or sultanas, with the addition of anise seeds. Raki is often drunk as an aperitif and goes well with mezes, small snacks popular in Turkish cuisine.
Pastis
Pastis is a popular French aperitif drink that originated in Provence. It was developed as a replacement for absinthe, which was banned in the early 20th century. The drink is based on star anise, liquorice and various herbs. When water is added to Pastis, the colour changes to a milky white, similar to Raki.
Sambuca
Sambuca is an Italian liqueur with a strong anise flavour and a sweet profile. It is often drunk straight, with three coffee beans in it, symbolising health, wealth and happiness. Sambuca can also be served flambéed or as an additive in coffee.
Ouzo
Ouzo is a Greek anise liqueur distilled from grape residues and flavoured with anise and other herbs. Like Raki and Pastis, Ouzo turns into a milky substance when mixed with water. It is often enjoyed as an aperitif and goes well with Greek mezze.
What do they have in common?
The most obvious common feature of these drinks is their anise flavour, which gives a sweet, aromatic and sometimes a little sharp note to the drink.
In addition, Raki, Pastis and Ouzo share another common feature: their reaction to water, where they take on a milky colour through a process known as "louche". This phenomenon occurs when the essential oils in anise, which are soluble in alcohol but not in water, form emulsions.
How can you tell them apart?
Raki, Pastis and Ouzo have strong similarities, especially when combined with water. However, Raki often has a slightly stronger anise flavour, Pastis can have liquorice notes and Ouzo has a characteristic Greek spiciness.
The sweetness and ability to detect coffee beans makes Sambuca easier to distinguish from the other three anise drinks.
Marketing • Blogger
As a creative jack-of-all-trades in the marketing world, I also bring that imaginative flair to my drink choices. Whether on a night out, sunny vacation or social gathering with girlfriends, I'm always in my element with a refreshing cocktail in hand. Cocktails have stolen my heart because of the endless possibilities to experiment and explore. My favorite cocktail of the moment is the "Lazy Red Cheeks"! A delicious cocktail using vodka as a base. I love vodka because it mixes perfectly with non-alcoholic drinks. My favorite spirit? Rum!
