Cocktails with Star anise
Star anise is the star-shaped dried fruit of the illicium tree, an aromatic spice with a strong anise scent.
How it's used
A star infuses a syrup, a punch or a warm drink with an anise-spice aroma that keeps growing. Taste as it steeps and lift it out once the aroma is strong enough. In a small batch, two stars can take the drink over. It sits with citrus, aged spirits, apple and other warm spice.
Substitutes for Star anise
Anise seed
The best substitute. Use half a teaspoon per star, held in a strainer so you can lift it out easily. It tastes plainer, missing that woody warmth.
Treat it exactly like anise seed. The resulting flavor is just a little milder.
Anise spirit
In a pinch. A splash of pastis drops the aroma right in without any steeping.
Japanese star anise
Never use this. It looks identical but is deeply toxic and sold only for decoration. Buy spices meant for food.
Storage
Whole stars keep for months sealed and dark, and hold their aroma far better than the ground spice. A star that has lost its smell has nothing left to give a syrup.
