Pastis - The Spirit of Provence

If you imagine a typical Provencal scene where local villagers are playing boules whilst a collection of characters watch from under the shade of some plane trees, it is likely that they will all be drinking Pastis.

This aniseed flavoured spirit has it's roots in Provence, where the original drink was first commercialised by Paul Ricard in Marseille. Flavoured with local herbs, pastis is generally diluted with water (upon which it goes cloudy) and is drunk as an aperitif. it's one of the most popular drinks in France, and especially in the south where the heat cries out for the consumption of a cool, refreshing drink.