Anise must be one of the
most widely used single flavouring for liqueurs and eaux de vie. It is
popular in so many countries in Europe and the Middle East.
Anise flavour is from the seed of the flowering anise
plant which is grown around the Mediterranean. This is not to be
confused with star anise which is from the Far East. Anise has a distinctive liquorice flavour that people tend to either love or hate.
It was originally used for medicinal purposes. According to Pliny the
Elder (born 24AD), anise is a cure for sleeplessness, among other
things.
Anise
liqueurs have the distinctive feature of turning from clear to a milky
cloudiness when mixed with water, which it usually is, to cut the
alcohol and the flavour intensity.
France - Pastis (e.g., Ricard) & Absinthe
Greece - Ouzo
Italy - Sambuca
Spain - Anísado & Anís del Mono
Turkey - Raki
Bulgaria - Mastika
Egypt - Arak
Israel - Arak
Jordan - Arak
Lebanon - Arak
It is also found in the Americas:
Colombia - Aguardiente
Mexico -Xtabentún
I have tried Ouzo, Sambuca and also Arak from Jordan. I prefer the latter because it was the driest.
Source: Wikipedia
