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TUESDAY
JULY 2

National Anisette Day – July 2, 2024

U.S.

History Timeline FAQs Importance Celebrate

National Anisette Day is celebrated on . But what exactly is anisette? Anisette is a liqueur derived from the humble aniseed spice. Aniseed, from the anis herb, is also what gives that licorice and fennel flavor. In its natural form, anisette tastes dry and bitter. That’s why some distillers sometimes add sugar syrup to make the liquor sweet and palatable. Countries like Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France are the leading countries in drinking anisette. While it is rarely consumed on its own, anisette is a common ingredient in many cocktails.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY

The herb of the aniseed is often the main ingredient in anisette and is considered to have medicinal properties. It is also sweeter than other anise-flavored liqueurs, and anisette’s association as a medicinal cure dates back to ancient Egypt. The anisette in Europe is dryer than the anisette available in America. Distillers sometimes add spices like coriander and fruit to distill anisette.

Aniseed is the seed of the anise plant. Like absinthe, anisette is created by distilling aniseed. Legend has it that it was first made as a replacement for absinthe since it has fewer herbs and no wormwood. In fact, some anisette tastes so dry and bitter that some brands add up to 350 grams of sugar for every liter of it! It is mixed with other flavored liquors and is typically not drunk straight. Anisette is sweeter than most other anise-flavored liqueurs and has an alcohol content of about 25%. It can also be used in recipes. Café de Paris is a popular cocktail made with anisette, gin, cream, and egg white. When it is stirred with bourbon and bitters, the drink is known as a New Orleans. Another very popular drink made with anisette and other alcohol is known as a Palomita. However, traditional drinkers simply mix anisette with cold water to enjoy its unique taste. Anisette is known by different names around the world, some of which are ‘raki’ in Turkey, ‘mastika’ in Bulgaria, ‘ouzo’ in Greece, ‘aguardiente’ in Colombia, ‘sambuca’ in Italy, and ‘pastis’ in France.

NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY TIMELINE

13th Century
Licorice
Licorice is first used in a confectionary item.

1673
First Bar in America
The oldest bar in the U.S., White Horse Tavern, opens in Newport, Rhode Island.

1790s
Absinthe
Absinthe is created in the 1790s by Pierre Ordinaire in Switzerland.

1800s
Anisette
Luigi Manzi, an Italian, makes anisette for the first time in the 1800s.

NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY FAQS

Is anisette made from anise?
Yes, anisette is a type of liquor derived from aniseed.

When is National Anisette Day celebrated?

National Anisette Day is celebrated on July 2 every year.

Can I make cocktails with anisette?
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Anisette is hardly drunk straight. It is mixed with other alcohols to make cocktails.

NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY ACTIVITIES

Try a new brand
You can try a new brand of anisette for National Anisette Day. Different brands have different sugar content and alcohol percentage. It’s a great day to try something new.

Make yourself a drink
Make yourself a classic anisette drink or improvise your own unique cocktail. Whatever it may be, anisette makes any drink extra delicious.

Bake with anise
If you don’t wish to drink, you can also try baking cookies, breads, and cakes with anise. The slightly pungent flavor makes for an interesting aftertaste.

5 FACTS ABOUT ALCOHOL THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

Champagne corks can kill
Every year 24 people die after being hit by a champagne cork.

Wine is older than the wheel
The invention of wine dates back to 4100 B.C. — way before the invention of the wheel.

Beer is the oldest recipe known to us
The oldest recipe known to mankind is of a beer dated between 3400 and 2900 B.C.

Children can drink in the U.K.
A child, aged five or older, can drink alcohol on private premises in the U.K.

Vodka can be very expensive
The most expensive vodka in the world was sold for $3.75 million.

WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY

It’s a day to enjoy a drink
Everyone loves a day where you can enjoy a cocktail or two! Catch up with your friends and celebrate the day in style.

It’s a popular liquor
National Anisette Day celebrates a drink that is widely drunk and loved by so many people around the world.

It’s a unique flavor
Anise or anisette lends a unique flavor to drinks and food. The day also celebrates the versatility of the spice.

NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY DATES

Year
Date
Day
2024
July 2
Tuesday
2025
July 2
Wednesday
2026
July 2
Thursday
2027
July 2
Friday
2028
July 2
Sunday