Lemon Anise Cocktail

At our recent house-warming slash cocktail party, we decided it’d be fun to serve a signature cocktail.  We wanted something citrusy and complex, a little herbal, and not too sweet.

The result was this pale yellow beauty – the Lemon Anise.  It’s made with lemon, gin, and just the tiniest bit of pastis which is a French anise flavored liquor. 

For the final touch, the Lemon Anise can be topped with a champagne float.  I loved the slight fizziness & complexity the champagne added, but Dulcie preferred hers straight up.

Lemon Anise Cocktail

• 2 oz gin
• 2 oz lemonade
• 1/4 oz pastis (we used Ricard Pernod) or other anise liquor
• float of champagne on top, about 1/2”. optional

Combine the lemonade, gin, and pastis – pour over ice.  Top with the 1/2” float of champagne.