12 Best Pernod Substitutes That You Can Use

You are here for the best Pernod substitutes because you simply love Pernod. Pernod is a sweet, licorice-flavored drink that amazingly blends with seafood dishes and popular cocktail recipes as well.

But you can’t buy a whole bottle of Pernod just for a sip of Peking cocktail, can you? There comes the need to find the best substitutes for it. Do you know which are those? Some of the best substitutes of Pernod are Pastis, Absinthe, Ouzo and Sambuca and Anisette.

Coming from the world’s second-largest wine seller Pernod Ricard, Pernod is a French liqueur with a sweet, anise-like flavor. It is a very popular aperitif that finds uses in seafood and cocktail recipes. But what can you do if you are out of Pernod and have an impulsive urge for a cocktail? The scribbles that follow are going to help you deal with such an impromptu situation. 

Quick Peek: Pernod

The following scribbles tell you what Pernod is, its flavor, culinary uses, and health benefits.

What Is Pernod?

Pernod Anise and Ricard Pastis are two types of aperitifs from the French company Pernod Ricard. It was produced in 1920 due to the banning of Absinthe, a legal alcoholic beverage. It primarily has star anise and fennel distillates, along with several other botanicals such as cilantro, mint, and chamomile. It has a high alcohol content (40 ABV), making it rank equally among vodka, rum, and gin. 

Describing Pernod: Flavor 

Pernod, or Pernod Anise, is a sweet French-based liqueur with high licorice flavor overtones. In a subtle manner, you also get to enjoy the flavor of fennel, coriander, and mint. The aftertaste is reminiscent of licorice, and you experience a great cooling sensation—Pernod’s not-so-dominant anise flavor, which makes it rank high among Ricard and Pastis.

Uses of Pernod

Pernod is a refreshing liqueur that can be a wonderful addition to seafood recipes. It can be used in cakes instead of rum for a sweet flavor and a firm texture. It can also be a nice flavorsome addition to ice creams. When it comes to giving that extra flavor to cocktails, none can beat Pernod.

Pernod Sazerac, Pernod Corpse Reviver (it’s getting scary here!), Twenty Thousand Leagues, Vera Highball, Fastlap, and so on are some of the popular cocktails. As much as it is enjoyed in cocktail recipes, it is pretty much also enjoyed as a replenishing drink with water. 

Pernod On The Health Radar | Looking Through The Wellness Telescope

Anise-flavored spirits are usually good, considering the potential health benefits of anise. Being an intense anise liqueur and the oldest available in France, Pernod is no exception.

Anise is also a good source of copper, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc, and magnesium. Anise is incredibly useful in treating digestive problems and as a diuretic. However, Pernod has an alcoholic content that one must be aware of. Moderate consumption is not a cause of worry, but excessive consumption can lead to health problems eventually.

Why Should We Substitute Pernod?

Although Pernod is mid-priced, it is not an easily available liqueur for you to relish. That makes it imperative to find the best substitutes for Pernod so that you can still enjoy the cocktail recipes even in their absence.

Also, for recipes demanding a small quantity of Pernod, you can’t buy a whole bottle and ponder what to do with it. In these cases, the best substitutes for Pernod can help you recreate the flavor of Pernod without actually using it. So, shall we see which are the best pernod substitutes?

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12 Best Pernod Substitutes

Now that you know everything you need to know about Pernod, let us discuss the twelve best substitutes for Pernod, which comprise both alcoholic and non-alcoholic ingredients.

Alcoholic Pernod Substitutes

1. Pastis

Pastis is the sibling French liqueur that comes from the same company as that Pernod, making it the best substitute for Pernod. This aperitif has a strong anise flavor and high alcoholic content(45%). Also, pastis is more of a licorice-flavored spirit. You needn’t be worried about the alcoholic content of pastis while substituting for Pernod. The alcohol won’t bother you or other ingredients in your recipe as it evaporates while cooking. 

2. Absinthe

Absinthe is a Swiss liqueur that is also anise-flavored along with the presence of green anise, sweet fennel, and other herbs. It is a highly alcoholic spirit with 75% ABV. Assuming it had addictive and hallucinogenic properties, it was banned in 1915 (the precursor of Pernod’s birth). A revived version of the same has been available since the early 21st century.

The anise flavor of Absinthe makes it a good substitute for Pernod. The alcoholic content of Absinthe will dry up while cooking. Just a few drops of Absinthe will suffice to replace Pernod in your recipe.

3. Ouzo

Ouzo is another anise-flavored liqueur that can only be made in Greece(EU approved Protected Destination of Origin). It has been cited as a drink that is very closely related to Greek culture. 

Ouzo is a very strong drink that has the flavor of black licorice. It is made using grape must along with added seasoning such as anise seeds, fennel, mint, and coriander. When ouzo is mixed with water, everything goes all milky and cloudy. This is what is meant by the Ouzo effect. 

Ouzo can be boldly used as an alternative for Pernod due to its anise flavor. It tastes sweeter than Pernod. You may have to either dilute it or add in little amounts.

4. Sambuca

Hailing from Italy, Sambuca is a liqueur that is usually consumed post-meal as a digestif. It is a colorless liquid with a sweet licorice flavor. Like ouzo, Sambuca also goes all milkily crazy when added to water. 

Sambuca has an alcohol content of 38%ABV. Black, red and white Sambuca are the varieties of Sambuca that can be used as substitutes for Pernod. Since Sambuca is highly sweetened with sugar, be mindful of the amount you add to your recipes.

5. Anisette

Anisette is a sweet, colorless liqueur made from anise seeds. Anisette also turns cloudy when added to water. This is the reason why it is often assumed to be Sambuca. Holding virtue to the name, anisette has a strong flavor of anise seeds with 25% ABV, making it a good substitute for Pernod. But it is heavily sweetened, and thus, you might have to watch the amount of anisette you add while replacing Pernod.

6. White Wine

White wine is an alcoholic beverage made using fermented grapes. It has a mild, sweet taste with a citrusy flavor. There are four types of white wine – dry, sweet, sparkling, and fortified.

White wine is a versatile ingredient when it comes to seafood recipes. It can render an acidic flavor to your recipes – the stronger the wind, the stronger the acidity it gives.

Any type of white wine can be used to substitute for Pernod, depending on your recipe. White wine won’t give you the anise flavor of Pernod. Try adding a few crushed fennel or anise seeds along with white wine for a flavor similar to Pernod.

7. Whiskey

 Whiskey is obtained as a result of grain mash fermentation. It has a strong, nutty, bitter-sweet, malty flavor since it is produced from grain mash fermentation. Whiskey can be a good substitute for Pernod devoid of an anise flavor. However, if you are looking for a smoky fragrance, tangy flavor, and high alcohol content in your recipes, whiskey should be your go-to ingredient.

8. Vodka

Vodka is a distilled alcoholic beverage prepared using fermented cereal grains. It has a strong alcohol content of 55% ABV. Vodka basically has no superior taste or aroma.

Vodka is available in plain, fruit and herbal, and flavored varieties. Plain vodka with added spices or herbs can emulate the flavor of Pernod in your recipes. Vodka is a very commonly used alcoholic drink, and therefore, availability isn’t a concern.  

Non-Alcoholic Pernod Substitutes

9. Lemon Juice

Care for a non-alcoholic substitute for Pernod? Extract the good-old lemon juice from a lemon pulp. It is an incredibly healthy substitute for Pernod – lemon juice boosts digestion, prevents cancer, treats kidney stones, and enhances weight loss. Lemon juice can give a sour, tangy flavor to your sweet and savory recipes. For a flavor like Pernod, you can use lemon juice alongside fennel or anise seeds.

10. Other Citrus Juices

Citrus juices are sweet and sour juices extracted from citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits. Apart from lemon juice, the juices of these citrus fruits are also considerable Pernod substitutes. Citrus juices are good choices for replacing Pernod in seafood recipes since they mask the smell well, simultaneously giving a sweet and sour taste. Mixing these juices with fennel or anise can give you a close flavor to Pernod.

11. Fennel Seed Extract

Fennel seed extract is basically a solution of fennel seeds mixed with vodka and sugar. Fennel seeds belong to the same family as anise seeds and have a sweet, anisette flavor. Fennel seed extract can be used to substitute for Pernod in baking recipes due to the anise flavor it has. It also helps in upgrading the flavor and aroma of dishes. It is best to use fennel seed extract instead of Pernod only in baking and not in cooking.

12. Anise Powder

I am sure you are aware of the potency of anise as a flavoring ingredient. It has a sweet and fragrant flavor that is similar to black licorice. As it can be easily surmised, anise powder is the ground version of anise seeds.

Anise powder can be your last resort as a substitute for Pernod if anise flavor is what you are looking for. It has an overbearing aroma, and thus it is important to consider the quantity before adding or using it to replace Pernod.

Short Recap Of Best Pernod Substitutes

That must have been an exhaustive read on the best Pernod substitutes, right? Let me make it easy for you to remember the details with the help of some points.

Best Pernod Substitutes That Are Alcoholic-

1. Pastis
2. Absinthe
3. Ouzo
4. Sambuca
5. Anisette
6. White Wine
7. Whiskey
8. Vodka

Best Pernod Substitutes That Are Non-Alcoholic-

1. Lemon Juice
2. Other Citrus Juices
3. Fennel Seed Extract
4. Anise Powder

Best Pernod Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor-

1. Pastis
2. Absinthe
3. Ouzo
4. Sambuca
5. Anisette

Final Musings

That was all about the substitutes for Pernod. If you wish to simulate the exact flavor of Pernod, go for anise-flavored liqueur. When out of those, try using whiskey, vodka, or white wine with crushed fennel or anise seeds. 

Use citrus extracts, citrus juices, fennel seeds, or anise powder if you want the substitutes to be non-alcoholic. Nevertheless, I am waiting to know what worked out the best. Let me know for sure and see you soon for sure with another article!

How To Use Pernod Substitutes In A Recipe

Pernod Substitutes

Wanting to relish Peking cocktail and are you out of Pernod? Not to worry. Some of the best substitutes of Pernod are Pastis, Absinthe, Ouzo and Sambuca and Anisette.

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Ingredients

  

• Pastis
• Absinthe
• Ouzo
• Sambuca
• Anisette
• White Wine
• Whiskey
• Vodka
• Lemon Juice
• Other Citrus Juices
• Fennel Seed Extract
• Anise Powder

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)