PERNOD

France's oldest aniseed liqueur, Pernod traces its lineage to the Pernod Fils absinthe distillery founded in Pontarlier in 1805. After absinthe was banned in France in 1915, Pernod Fils and Hémard Distilleries reformulated without wormwood, launching the current recipe in 1920. Botanicals — distillates of star anise and fennel combined with 14 additional herbs including camomile, coriander, and veronica — are macerated then distilled at 40% ABV. Deliberately low in liquorice, it's herbal and bright rather than heavy, finishing with clean, lingering anise. Drink over ice with cold water.