Absinthe vs pastis: what's the difference?
Both are French anise spirits that turn cloudy with water, but absinthe is stronger and more herbal, with wormwood, while pastis is sweeter, lower in alcohol and tastes mostly of licorice.
Absinthe
EasyBoozy
TartSweet
Not bitterBracing
Strong, herbal and anise-forward, with a bitter green edge.
What does Absinthe taste like?Pastis
EasyBoozy
TartSweet
Not bitterBracing
Sweet licorice, softer and simpler, made for long afternoons.
What does Pastis taste like?The real difference
Absinthe is distilled with wormwood, green anise and fennel, bottled strong, often 60% or more, and usually unsweetened. Pastis came later as an anise spirit without wormwood, flavored with star anise and licorice root, sweetened and bottled around 40 to 45%. Both get mixed with cold water, which turns them milky.
Side by side
AbsinthePastis
AlcoholOften 60% or moreAbout 40 to 45%
SweetenedUsually notYes
TastesAnise, herbs, a bitter edgeLicorice, sweet, simple
On a menuA Sazerac rinse, drips with water, Corpse ReviverWith water and ice, as an aperitif
Which to order
- Order absinthe if you want a strong, complex herbal ritual.
- Order pastis if you want an easy, licorice-sweet sipper with water.
Quick questions
- Will absinthe make you hallucinate?
- No, that's an old myth. The real thing to watch is how strong it is, often 60% or more.
- Do you drink pastis straight?
- Rarely. It's usually mixed with about five parts cold water, which turns it cloudy and softens the licorice.