Cocktails with Star anise
Star anise is the star-shaped dried fruit of the Illicium verum tree, used as an aromatic spice.
Taste profile
Intensely sweet and licorice-like, backed by a warm, faintly camphorous woodiness.
How it's used
Infused whole into syrups, spirits, or hot drinks, it lends a pronounced anise aroma; a single pod goes a long way, and it also serves as a fragrant garnish floated on the surface.
Substitutes for Star anise
Aniseed or fennel seed, which share the licorice note in a milder, less woody form.
Description
Growers harvest the fruit before it ripens and dry it whole, leaving a woody eight-pointed pod with a glossy seed in each arm. The pods are used whole, broken, or ground.
