Anisette

orange anisette in swing-top glass bottles
Photo: Addie Juell
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs 40 mins
Yield:
8 8-ounce bottles

If you could bottle a winter evening by the fire, it would look and taste like our anisette liqueur. Coriander and fennel seeds and star anise turn into a spicy digesif that you can enjoy on its own or mixed with water for a lighter drink. Seal them with our label ( get the template here), and revelers will saluteyou when they pop them open.

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups star-anise pods

  • 2 tablespoons fennel seeds

  • 2 ½ teaspoons coriander seeds

  • 1 bottle (1.75 liters) neutral vodka, such as Tito's

  • 1 ¼ cups sugar

Directions

  1. In a mortar and pestle, or a resealable bag and rolling pin, crush anise pods and fennel and coriander seeds. Toast together in a skillet over medium-high until fragrant, about 1 minute. Divide between 2 quart-size glass jars, then divide vodka evenly between jars. Let cool completely. Screw lids onto jars, shake gently, and let stand in a cool, dark place 5 days.

  2. Strain vodka mixture through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth; discard solids. In a small pot, boil sugar and 1 1/4 cups water just until sugar dissolves; add to strained vodka. Let cool completely, then refrigerate until cold, 1 hour. Divide among eight 8-ounce gift bottles. Bottles will keep in refrigerator up to 6 months. To serve, pour 1.5 ounces directly over ice, or add 1 part anisette and 3 parts cold water to a glass filled with ice.

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