Liqueur

Pastis is an anise and licorice flavored liqueur directly descendant of the infamous absinthe. The drink itself is a national favorite in much of France.

The flavor of Pastis comes from licorice and seeds of the star anise plant (an important ingredient in the outlawed absinthe), whose pods resemble starfish. Other ingredients include both black and white pepper corns, cardamom, sage, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and a little sugar, although each brand's recipe is unique.