Anisette liqueur is often consumed alone, but it is sweeter than other anise flavored liqueurs such as pastis, ouzo, and Pernod, so many may prefer to use it in cocktails where the sweetness, not to mention the low alcohol content, will fit in well with any number of ingredients.
Cocktail Recipes Featuring Anisette
Marie Brizard describes a number of drinks based on anisette, on their website. Also, try some of these below:
Anisette cocktail
1 oz anisette
1/2 oz gin
1/2 oz whipping cream
Egg white is also sometimes added. Place ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a cocktail or cordial glass. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
Blondie
1 oz anisette
1 oz Galliano (sweet Italian liqueur, flavored with herbs)
Sake in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a cocktail or martini glass.
Bombay Cocktail
1/2 oz. dry vermouth
1/2 oz, sweet vermouth
1 oz brandy
1/2 tsp. triple sec
1/4 tsp anisette liqueur
Stir together ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
Crème de Cafe
1 oz. coffee brandy
1/2 oz. rum
1/2 oz. anisette
1 oz light cream or half-and-half
Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake and strain into an old-fashioned glass.
Fancy Angel
1 oz. Anisette
1 oz. Vodka
1/2 oz. Crème de Mure
1/2 oz. of Lemon Juice
1 teaspoon Egg White Powder
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a highball filled with crushed ice. Serve with a straw.
Fontainebleau Special
1 oz. brandy
1 oz. anisette
1/2 oz. dry vermouth
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
Jelly Bean Shooter
There are also different “jelly bean” drinks which are cocktails. This drink is usually a combination of an anise liqueur, something sweet and fruit flavored, and southern comfort. There are various other versions.
1/2 oz. blackberry brandy or grenadine
1/2 oz. anisette or sambuca
1/2 oz. Southern Comfort
Pour the brandy (or grenadine) into a shot glass. Float the anisette on top of the brandy (since the brandy or grenadine will be syrupy), carefully pouring on the anisette will allow it to “float” or sit on top of the first layer. Float the Southern Comfort on top of the brandy. The drink should look striped, and will taste a bit like a licorice jelly bean. Not my kind of thing but there is something for everyone!
Johnnie
1 1/2 oz sloe gin
3/4 oz triple sec
1 tsp anisette
In a cocktail shaker, shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Ladies’ Cocktail
2oz Canadian Whisky
1/2 oz Pernod
1/2 oz Anisette
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Pineapple Chunk for Garnish
Fill a cocktail shaker glass half full of ice. And the whisky, Pernod, anisette and bitters. Stir well.
Place the pineapple chunk into a cocktail glass, and strain the mixture into the glass, over the pineapple.
Linstead Cocktail
1 1/2 oz. bourbon whiskey
3/4 oz. pineapple juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup
1 tsp. anisette
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
Shake with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass.
Orange Licorice Whip
4 dashes orange bitters
2 oz vodka
1 oz anisette
1 oz Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur (Cointreau)
Put 4 dashes of orange bitters into the bottom of a martini glass. Pour the vodka and anisette into an ice filled shaker and shake well. Strain into the martini glass and then top with the Grand Marnier or organ liqueur. Garnish with an orange twist, if desired.
Nightcap
1 oz brandy
1 oz anisette
1 oz curacao liqueur
1 egg yolk
Combine ingredients in a shaker and shake well. Add ice and shake well again. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Robert E. Lee Cooler
2 oz. gin
2 oz. soda water
1/2 oz. lime juice
1 tsp. simple syrup
1/4 tsp. anisette
Ginger Ale
Pour first five ingredients into an ice-filled tall glass like a Collins glass. Fill the rest with ginger ale. Stir and serve.
White Lily
3/4 oz. light rum
3/4 oz. gin
3/4 oz. triple sec
1/4 tsp anisette
Shake ingredients together with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.
Narrangasset
The Narrangasset cocktail is named for the town in Rhode Island, if you’re curious, and is also made with other anise liqueurs such as Pernod or even absinthe.
2 oz. Bourbon whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
1/2 tsp. anisette
Fill an old-fashioned glass almost full with ice cubes. Pour all ingredients into the glass, and stir well. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Need more cocktail recipes and more information on spirits and liqueurs? Try Ginger Bliss and the Violet Fizz: A Cocktail Lover’s Guide to Mixing Drinks Using New and Classic Liqueurs, by A.J. Rathburn.