Good morning, how are you? I would like to invite you to check out our series sharing Food Holidays: July 2nd, 2022. Today is National Anisette Day. Did you know this is a liquor you might find in Cocktails you drink? Would you like to go to lunch with me/ Then can ask the Bartender for a drink with Anisette in it and taste it for ourselves.
National Anisette Day is celebrated during July but I have a question for you. What is Anisette? The definition says Anisettes is a Liqueur derived from the humble Aniseed Spice. Aniseed, from the Anis Herb, is also what gives that Licorice and Fennel flavor. In its natural form, Anisette tastes dry and bitter. That’s why some distillers sometimes add Sugar Syrup to make the Liquor sweet and palatable. Countries like Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France are the leading Countries in drinking Anisette. While it is rarely consumed on its own, Anisette is a common ingredient in many Cocktails.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY
The herb of the Aniseed is often the main ingredient in Anisette and is considered to have medicinal properties. Anisette is also sweeter than other Anise-flavored Liqueurs, and Anisette’s association as a medicinal cure dates back to ancient Egypt. Did you know the Anisette in Europe is dryer than the Anisette available in America. Distillers sometimes add spices like Coriander and Fruit to distill Anisette.
Aniseed is the seed of the Anise plant. Like Absinthe, Anisette is created by distilling Aniseed. Legend has it that it was first made as a replacement for Absinthe since it has fewer Herbs and no wormwood. In fact, some Anisette tastes so dry and bitter that some brands add up to 350 grams of Sugar for every liter of it! Anisette is mixed with other flavored liquors and is typically not drunk straight. Anisette is sweeter than most other Anise-flavored liqueurs and has an Alcohol content of about 25%. Anisette can also be used in recipes. Café de Paris is a popular Cocktail made with Anisette, Gin, Cream, and Egg White. When Anisette is stirred with Bourbon and Bitters, the drink is known as a New Orleans. Another very popular drink made with Anisette and Alcohol is known as a Palomita. However, traditional drinkers simply mix Anisette with cold Water to enjoy its unique taste. Anisette is known by different names around the world, some of which are ‘raki’ in Turkey, ‘mastika’ in Bulgaria, ‘ouzo’ in Greece, ‘aguardiente’ in Colombia, ‘sambuca’ in Italy, and ‘pastis’ in France.
Anisette is hardly drunk straight. It is mixed with other Alcohols to make Cocktails.
NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY ACTIVITIES
1. You can try a new brand of Anisette for National Anisette Day. Different brands have different Sugar content and Alcohol percentage.
2. Make yourself a classic Anisette drink or improvise your own Cocktail. Whatever it may be, Anisette makes any drink extra delicious.
3. If you don’t wish to drink, you can also try baking Cookies, and Cakes with Anise. The slightly pungent flavor makes for an interesting aftertaste.
5 FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
1. Every year 24 people die after being hit by a champagne cork.
2. The invention of Wine dates back to 4100 B.C. way before the invention of the wheel.
3. The oldest recipe known to mankind is of a Beer dated between 3400 and 2900 B.C.
4. A child, aged five or older, can drink Alcohol on private premises in the U.K.
5. The most expensive Vodka in the world was sold for $3.75 million.
WHY PEOPLE LOVE NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY
Everyone loves a day where you can enjoy a cocktail or two!
Catch up with your friends and celebrate the day in style.
National Anisette Day celebrates a drink that is widely drunk and loved by so many people around the world.
Anise or anisette lends a unique flavor to drinks and food. The holiday also celebrates the versatility of the spice.
Five Food Finds about Anise
This herb is native to Egypt and is mentioned in ancient Egyptian records. The Romans used Anisette in medicine and also in a Cake which was possibly the forerunner of the Wedding Cake.
Did you know Anise comes as an extract and lozenges and in Teas.
Anisette produces seeds that are used in both herbal medicine and aromatherapy.
This sweet smelling herb is also commonly used to flavor foods and liqueurs such as Anisette and Ouzo.
Anise has been used for many years to disguise the unpleasant taste of medicine
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
