The distinctive flavour of Pernod is created through a combination of star anise and several aromatic herbs and plants.

The secret of Pernod begins with its essence, which includes star anise, also known as badiane. Taken from the fruit of an exotic tree, star anise is exclusively cultivated in remote regions of North Vietnam and Southern China.
The distinctive star shaped spice is characterised by an unmistakably hot and sugary taste and pervasive aniseed scent.

Once distilled to extract its essential oils, the essence becomes the anethole which is then combined with a select combination of aromatic herbs. When water is introduced to the final drink it is the anethole that liberates that unforgettable aroma transforming the original golden colour to an enigmatic opal cloud known as the louche.

In France, the vast majority of aniseed spirits are in fact “pastis”. Pastis is a complex, yet subtle aniseed and liquorice combination, produced through maceration. Pernod, in contrast, is made through distillation and contains no liquorice.
This gives Pernod a lighter taste and makes it more easily mixable with various soft drinks.

Pernod can be enjoyed in the traditional way: with water, or in a contemporary way with juice, cola or other carbonated soft drinks. Due to its unique aniseed taste and botanical flavour, Pernod is also used in cooking. It can be used to enhance a variety of recipes including vegetable dishes, green salad and fruit salad.

For more details on enjoying Pernod, check out our cocktail and recipe pages.