pastis

American  

[pa-stees, pas-tees] / pæˈstis, pasˈtis /

noun

1. a yellowish, anise-based liqueur originally made in Marseilles and similar to absinthe but containing no wormwood.

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pastis British  

/ -ˈstiːs, pæˈstɪs /

noun

1. an anise-flavoured alcoholic drink

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Etymology

Origin of pastis

1925–30; < French < Provençal; Old Provençal pastitz pastry, pâté < Vulgar Latin *pastīcius; pasticcio, patisserie

Example Sentences

A classic French anise-flavored spirit, pastis was developed after absinthe was banned in 1915, and differs primarily by omitting the wormwood.

From Salon • Jan. 2, 2022

Pastis is named for pastis, an anise-flavored apéritif usually mixed with water and ice before serving.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 13, 2019

APERITIF: Visiting Marseille without trying pastis is like not tasting tea in China: A big mistake.

From Washington Times • Jul. 21, 2017

Makiese stores his wares, which have been ferried across the river from Angola, in old bottles of pastis and offloads the cheap imports to the steady stream of cars and motorcycles passing through.

From Slate • May 1, 2017

When in the Dauphiné — well, though I am still lovingly referred to as “l’Américain,” I sip pastis and play a pretty good game of pétanque.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2016