Prince Pastis de Marseille
Pastis is a strong local favorite in the South of France. From its original home is Marseille, the popularity of Pastis has spread throughout Provence and the Riviera, connecting friends throughout small cafes in the region. Prince Pastis is smooth and very full flavored, with a very refreshing edge, excellent in the summertime. The liqueur that we call pastis is a direct descendent of the infamous absinthe, the controversial spirit of Paris in the 1890s.
The flavor comes from licorice and the seeds of the star anise plant, an important ingredient in Absinthe. Anise liqueurs are the most popular liqueurs in France and the Mediterranean countries. Absinthe was the classic anise spirit. Unlike anise, pastis contains licorice as a major ingredient. Pastis has a clear brown-yellow hue, and turns a whitish-gray with water. Prince Pastis is an extraordinary ingredient in culinary recipes, from pastries to marinades.