Ricard Pastis (1L, 45%)

Ricard is a French pastis with a distinct liquorice character, bottled at 45% vol in a 100cl bottle. It was created in Marseille in 1932 by Paul Ricard, using star anise together with a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. The colour is a bright straw yellow that turns opalescent when water is added. Liquorice leads on the nose, with a light touch of Mediterranean herbs. The palate is soft yet complex, with a rounded sweetness balanced by slight astringency. The finish is long and refreshing. It is served as an aperitif, with five parts cold water to one part Ricard and a few ice cubes.