Ricard Pastis is Frances most popular and beloved spirit, often enjoyed as a refreshing aperitif among friends. While you may be far from the sun-drenched cafes of Marseille, you can still savor life as the French do one sip at a time. In France, people simply order a jaune (yellow), knowing theyll be served a Ricard Pastis. Adding water allows Ricard to bloom, resulting in a bright louche of opaque yellow sunshine in a glass. Paul Ricard developed Ricard in 1932 in Marseille, France. Ricards secret recipe, unaltered since its creation, is composed of selected herbs and spices including Chinese star anise, Syrian licorice, and aromatic herbs from Provence, France. On the palate, refreshing notes of licorice and star anise are followed by gentle hints of fruits, wood, and spices. The mouth feel is medium-bodied, and the finish long and pleasant. Ricard Pastis was chosen Exceptional Pastis at the International Review of Spirits Awards in 2014. Compared to Pernod, Ricard is drier and higher in alcohol.