Pastis

Pastis in France is well-known as Provence's famous  aniseed-flavoured "aperitif" - most commonly mixed with with water and enjoyed at just about any time of the day.

Pastis (along with its close cousin, anis - they are both referred to as "aniseed spirits" on the Pernod-Ricard corporate website) began as a legal alternative to the recently-outlawed absinthe. 

After a long pause, some absinthe is now being manufactured in various parts of the world, and is available for sale in a variety of countries. It remains illegal in France (if fondly remembered).

Pastis in the Midi-Pyrénées

In the Midi-Pyrénées, however, there's a different sort of Pastis, Pastis gascon. This is a a sweet, sugary desert pastry made of many layers of delicate puff pastry filled with apples (and occasionally prunes or pears) and traditional to the Gers and Ariège. 

• For more information on the traditional delicacies of the area see visit-midi-pyrenees.com  

Selected Pastis Resources (in French)

• Le site non officiel du Pastis.
• Ricard.
• Le Pastis
• A recipe for for home-made pastis, in English.

Anis (in English)

• Pernod