DIY Pastis Recipe

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Updated Aug. 09, 2018
Photograph: Marcia Simmons

Pastis is an anise-flavored aperitif that's one of life's little luxuries, and you can make a richly flavored homemade version by steeping some spices and bark in a jar for just a few days.

Notes: Most grocery stores carry the spices needed for this recipe. Natural foods stores like Whole Foods carry licorice root in the bulk spice section.

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Recipe Facts

4.3

(3)

Active: 10 mins
Total: 216 hrs
Serves: 16 servings
Makes: 2 cups

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Ingredients

  • 10 star anise pods

  • 1 tablespoon licorice root

  • 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

  • 1/4 teaspoon whole coriander seeds

  • 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds

  • 1 1/2 cups vodka

  • 1/3 cup sugar

  • 1/2 cup water

Directions

  1. With a mortar and pestle, roughly break up anise, licorice root, fennel, coriander, and anise. Add them to a sealable glass jar along with vodka. Seal and shake, then let steep for 5 days at room temperature away from direct sunlight, shaking occasionally.

  2. Boil sugar and water together until integrated into a light syrup, about 7 minutes. While the syrup is cooling, strain the spices out of the vodka mixture through a cheesecloth lining a fine-mesh strainer. Strain twice if necessary to remove all sediment.

  3. Once syrup is cool add it to the strained vodka infusion and shake. Let rest for 4 days or more before use. Store at room temperature for up to 4 months.

Special equipment

Mason jar, cheesecloth, fine-mesh strainer, mortar and pestle

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
68 Calories
0g Fat
5g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 68
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 3mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 4mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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