Star anise (Illcium verum) is the star shaped fruit of a small evergreen tree native to southwest China. Star anise has multiple culinary uses in the cuisines of India, China, Vietnam and Malaysia, where it lends a strong, black licorice note to everything from pho to chai tea to garam masala.
Star anise has seen more usage lately in the cocktail world as a substitute for the more expensive anise root. It takes infusion well, though anise flavors are not popular in the wider market yet. Star anise can also be used as a cocktail garnish, though it is not edible.
Some popular cocktails containing Star anise
- Cosmopolitan Milk Punch — Vodka, Tawny port, Triple sec, Tonic water, Cranberry juice, Milk, Lime juice, Sugar, Star anise, Bay leaf, Clove, Pomegranate molasses, Orange peel, Grapefruit peel, Cardamom
- Rites of Spring — Aquavit, Bianco Vermouth, Pear liqueur, Bitters, Oleo-saccharum, Star anise, Lemon peel
- The SCT Negroni — Gin, Sweet vermouth, Select Aperitivo, Star anise
- Vernis à Ongle — Haitian Rum, Bigallet China-China, Sweet vermouth, Star anise
- Err from the Faith — Rye, Orange liqueur, Braulio, Maraschino Liqueur, Orange bitters, Star anise, Orange
- Two Islands — Scotch, Averna, Sweet vermouth, Islay Scotch, Orange bitters, Star anise
- Fall Into My Glass — Pear liqueur, Gin, Sweet vermouth, Chocolate bitters, Star anise
- Falling Leaves — Riesling, Pear eau de vie, Orange Curaçao, Peychaud's Bitters, Honey syrup, Star anise
- Smoked Anise — Vodka, Anisette, Whiskey, Star anise
- North Star — Kirschwasser, White Crème de Cacao, Absinthe, Cream, Star anise, Brandied cherry
Explore more Star anise cocktails.