Absinthe and Pastis

Absinthe is the father of Pastis and was first produced in the Canton of Neuchatel in Switzerland. It is traditionally made with wormwood, anise, fennel and other flavouring herbs and has been said at various times to be dangerous and/or having the effect of a psychoactive drug. Rumour and speculations of this kind led to it being banned in many countries in the early 20th century and eventually it pretty much disappeared. As it turns out Absinthe is no more dangerous than any other alcohol. That is not to say that it should be approached with caution! Some of them can be very strong and need to be diluted with ice, water or other mixers to make them palatable. Now legal again in most countries it makes an interseting drink and has a unique taste. Pastis is a natural off-shoot of Absinthe and was originally made as an alternative after the banning of wormwood-containing Absinthe. Pernod was just one producer that switched to Pastis production and many Pastis would have a similar but less bitter taste than Absinthe.