Anisette: History, Taste and Best French Liqueurs

Introduction

A jewel of Mediterranean culture, anisette isa liqueur made from green anise, famous for its freshness and summer aromas.
A symbol of the South and French aperitifs, it has conquered the world thanks to historic houses such as Marie Brizard, Casanisand Pernod.
Today, it is reinventing itself through artisanal and natural versions, such as Michellot Anisette Liqueur— the perfect alliance between tradition and refinement.

What is anisette?

Anisetteis a liqueur flavored with green anise , aMediterranean plant known for its sweet and refreshing scent.
It belongs to the large family of aniseed spirits, but is distinguished from pastisand sambucaby its lighter, sweeter and floral profile.

Legal definition

According to French regulations, anisette:

  • is a sweet liqueur, with an alcohol content of between 25 and 35% vol.,

  • must be flavored exclusively with green anise( Pimpinella anisum),

  • does not contain liquorice or star anise, unlike pastis.

🌿 Result: a softer, finer and 100% floral drink.

The history of anisette: from Antiquity to Provence

Anise has been used for over 2,000 years for its digestive and aromatic properties.
The Egyptians, Romans and Arabs already made medicinal infusions from it.

But modern anisette was born in the 19th century in Marseille and Bordeaux, when distillers began to distill green anise seeds in alcohol.
It was in 1755 that Marie Brizard, in Bordeaux, launched her own anisette — today an iconic brand.

🇫🇷 Anisette then became one of the French's favorite aperitifs, even before the arrival of pastis.

The aromatic profile of anisette

Anisette seduces with its subtle balance between sweetness, freshness and herbaceous notes.

Taste and aromas

  • 🌿 Dominant green anise, floral and minty.

  • 🍬 Sweet sweetnessthat softens the bitterness.

  • 🌸 Notes of citrus and white flowers, sometimes fennel.

  • ❄️ Fresh and slightly peppery finish.

A harmonious drink, perfect as an aperitif or digestif.

The major anisette-producing regions

France: historical cradle

  • Bordeaux→ Marie Brizard, founded in 1755.

  • Marseille → Casanis and Pernod, pioneers of aniseed spirits.

  • Provence → artisanal production based on green anise, fennel and local herbs.

Spain and Italy

  • Spain → Anis del Mono, Chinchón.

  • Italy → Sambuca and sweeter Sicilian anisettes.

But it is in France that anisette acquired its prestige, symbol of a Mediterranean art of living .

The iconic anisette brands

Marie Brizard

Founded in Bordeaux, Marie Brizard is the historical reference.
Its liqueur, distilled from green anise and eleven plants, is known for its purity and balance .

Casanis

Created in Marseille in 1925, Casanis embodies Provence.
Lighter than a pastis, its anisette is ideal as an iced aperitif, with fresh water.

Pernod

Before pastis, Pernod already produced aniseed spirits.
Its sweet and floral anisette remains a sure bet for lovers of classics.

🌿 These great houses have shaped the identity of French anisette, between history and the pleasure of taste .

Michellot Anisette Liqueur: artisanal elegance

In line with the great French houses, Michellot Anisette Liqueur revisits this great classic with a more natural, modern and refined approach.

Features

  • 🌿 Made from green anise seeds, licorice, fennel and star anise .

  • 🍸 Low in sugar , no artificial colors or flavors.

  • 🇫🇷 French artisanal distillation .

  • ❄️ Pure, refreshing and floral taste .

An elegant anisette, perfect as an aperitif, neat or with a dash of sparkling water.
It embodies the return to the authentic origins of anise .

How to drink anisette?

Pure and icy

Served chilled, it reveals all its aromatic sweetness.

With water

Dilute with very cold water, it becomes slightly cloudy and becomes a thirst-quenching aperitif.

In a cocktail

Some modern ideas:

  • Anisette Spritz : 4 cl of anisette + 8 cl of crémant + 4 cl of sparkling water.

  • Tonic Anisette : anisette + tonic + lemon zest.

  • Café Anisette : a short espresso with 1 cl of anisette for a Mediterranean touch.

🍋 Anisette lends itself to all inspirations, from modern mixology to traditional aperitifs.

The differences between anisette, pastis and sambuca

Beverage Origin Aromatic base Taste Alcohol
Anisette France Green anise Sweet, floral 25–35%
Pastis France (Marseille) Anise, licorice Drier, spicier 40–45%
Sambuca Italy Star anise, star anise Very sweet 38–42%

Anisette is the most delicate of the three, ideal for those looking for a light and fragrant alcohol.

Anisette today: tradition and renewal

Anisette is currently experiencing a comeback, particularly thanks to the growing interest in natural and artisanal spirits.
Younger generations are rediscovering its sweet and floral profile, more accessible than pastis.

🌿 At De Michellot, we perpetuate this heritage with an artisanal, pure and contemporary anisette, faithful to the spirit of the great French houses.

Conclusion

Anisette is a timeless symbol of French culture: aliqueur of sunshine, sharing and refinement.
From Marie Brizard to De Michellot, she embodies the distillers' passion for green anise and the tradition of natural aperitifs.

🌿 Discover Michellot's Anisette Liqueur— an elegant and authentic French artisanal version, heir to the great anisettes of the South.


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