Hump Day Happy Hour: Pastis Cocktail for Bastille Day
Part 2 of my July cocktail series featuring thirst-quenching libations every Wednesday this month. Glug, glug, glug, glug…
Frankly, today is a bit unmotivating to contribute to my summer cocktail series with all this dark, gloomy weather. But who am I to complain when we’ve enjoyed nothing but gorgeous sunny weather for the past few weeks? All the while, the notoriously perfect weather SoCal had been suffering with their own dreary skies. So now it’s our turn. Despite this over-extended June gloom, the show must go on!
Today marks the French national holiday that we gringos refer to as “Bastille Day” or commonly referred to in France as “le quatorze Juillet”. I’m torn on whether or not I should give you the long-winded explanation of this holiday or the Cliff’s Notes version. I vote for the latter. Bastille Day is essentially the French equivalent of our Independence Day which we similarly refer to as 4th of July. It marks the uprising of the modern nation. Blah, blah, blah. Read about it folks.
I know you didn’t sign up for a history lesson so let’s bring on the alcohol! At the risk of a mass retaliation against what I’m about to say, I have to be honest – the cocktails in France are merde (this is what it means). Okay, I’m being a bit harsh but based on my experiences and those of my wonderful partner in crime, the cocktails are certainly nothing to write home about. But who cares? They already have amazing cuisine, fabulous wine and over 1,000 varieties of awesome cheese. They can’t be good at everything.
However, I do particularly enjoy an ice cold glass of pastis. It’s a refreshing aperitif with strong hints of anise and licorice, which back in my hay days, all the flavors that I was not especially keen on. In fact, pastis is the only licorice-type flavor to grace my taste buds even to this day. He introduced me to this delightful little beverage almost two years ago when we were in Paris. We just finished what seemed like a ten course dinner at his cousin’s apartment and in order to “make room” for the cheese platter, she served his favorite drink mixed with Perrier. And golly gee willikers, it actually worked!
Our pantry is always stocked with a bottle or two of pastis (we prefer Henri Bardouin) because if you want to keep a French man happy, this is key. Well, that and an overflowing stock of wine and cheese. But you get my point.
Although we usually prefer our pastis the classic way (mixed with 4 parts water), there are a few pastis hybrids that add a nice little twist. Le perroquet (the parrot) is probably the most popular of all cocktails and on hot summer days, it’s absolutely invigorating! Santé!
Ingredients:
| 1 | part pastis |
| 4 | parts Perrier |
| a dash of mint syrup |
- In a rocks glass, combine pastis and water. Add a dash of mint syrup and ice. Serve with a mint garnish and red currants (for color).
July 14th, 2010 at 21:32
This is something new to me. Looks like a thirst quenching drink.
July 15th, 2010 at 17:13
what a beautiful drink Dhale — I have never had Pastis but I can tell the flavors of this cocktail would be bright and refreshing!! Happy Bastille Day
July 18th, 2010 at 12:58
Glug glug to you too! This sounds great – I just saw currants at the farmers market I wish I had bought some – how cute are they?
July 19th, 2010 at 09:42
I dont like Pastis, but you make it look yum!!!
July 21st, 2010 at 10:49
@RV: Pastis is somewhat similar to ouzo, if you’ve ever had that. And both are very refreshing!
July 21st, 2010 at 10:50
@Joy: Thanks!!! It’s the easiest cocktail to make and so rewarding. We celebrated Bastille Day (again) this past Sunday and we had 3 very large glasses pastis. Yum!
July 21st, 2010 at 10:56
@Tasty Trix: The minute I saw them at the farmer’s market, i had to snatch them up! They are adorable though I’ve never used them in any recipes. I still have some left. Any ideas?
July 21st, 2010 at 10:57
@Cara: I didn’t think I’d like ti either but the water does a fantastic job of diluting the anise flavor
July 31st, 2010 at 00:48
I’m still sipping my sangria, but I’ll make room for another cocktail.
Mimi
August 3rd, 2010 at 04:08
So creative. I love currants! Beautiful imagery!