When used in small amounts, anise-flavored liqueur, such as Pernod or pastis, adds an intriguing licorice flavor to sauces. A classic French aperitif, this yellow liqueur is usually mixed with water, which turns it a cloudy pastel yellow.
Aperol is an Italian aperitif that’s similar to bitters like Campari and made of 30 herbs and spices, plus rhubarb and bitter orange. Aperol is available at some liquor stores and online from bevmo.com. A 750-ml bottle costs about $25.
Bitters are a type of liquor named for their bitter flavor. Bitters get their distinct flavor from the distilling of aromatic herbs, barks, flowers, seeds, roots, and plants; the flavor depends on the particular combination of aromatics. Originally used as medicine, bitters were further developed for use as digestive aids (digestifs), appetite stimulants (aperitifs ),... View Article
Literally, “cream of black currants” in French, crème de cassis is a black-currant-flavored liqueur with a syrupy consistency and very sweet flavor. The liqueur is a specialty of the Burgundy region in France. Though not particularly appealing on its own, crème de cassis is an essential ingredient in Kir, an aperitif made by combining about... View Article