Anisette facts for kids
Anisette (say: ah-nih-SET), or Anis (say: AH-nis), is a sweet, clear drink flavored with anise. You can find it in many countries around the Mediterranean Sea. It's different from some other anise-flavored drinks because it has sugar, making it sweeter. The best kind of anisette is made by a process called distilling anise seeds. This means the flavors are carefully taken out using heat and steam.
People often mix anisette with water or pour it over ice cubes because its flavor is quite strong. When you add water, it often turns a cloudy white color!
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Anisette Around the World
Anise-flavored drinks are popular in many places, especially around the Mediterranean Sea. They often have a similar taste, but each country has its own special version.
Mediterranean Countries
Many countries near the Mediterranean Sea enjoy drinks flavored with anise or licorice.
Spain
In Spain, a famous anisette is called Anís del Mono (which means "the monkey's anisette"). It has been made since 1870. Its label shows a monkey holding a scroll and a bottle. Another Spanish anise drink, Aguardiente de Ojén, is popular in places like New Orleans in the United States, especially during their big Mardi Gras parties.
France
France has its own anisette, made by a company called Marie Brizard since 1755. Another popular French drink, Pastis, is similar but also uses licorice root extracts.
Greece
In Greece, the well-known anise-flavored drink is called Ouzo.
Malta
The island of Malta has Anisetta, also known as zambur, which is made with anise and other herbs.
Italy
Italy's version of an anise-flavored drink is called Sambuca. It's known for being quite sweet.
Portugal
Portugal has Licor Aniz Escarchado, which is special because it sometimes has sugar crystals inside the bottle!
Turkey and Nearby Countries
In Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Albania, a popular anise drink is called Rakı.
Middle East and North Africa
Countries like Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and Egypt enjoy a drink called Arak. Algeria has its own Anisette Cristal.
Latin America
In Latin America, you can find anise-flavored drinks like Aguardiente from Colombia and Mexico.
Asia
The Spanish brought anise liqueur to the Philippines. There, it became a local drink called anisado. This is an anise-flavored drink often made from distilled sugarcane wine. A sweet version of Filipino anisado is known as anisado Mallorca. These drinks are often used in Filipino cuisine for cooking.
