AUTHENTIC  ITALIAN  RECIPES

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 RISTORANTE  d'ANNAMARIA

 

 

            

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Anisette is a liqueur made from what is known as green anice or Italian anise (botanical name - pimpinella anisum). When mixed into a glass of ice cold water, anisette makes a delightfully fresh summertime beverage.  It can be found in just about any liquor store in America but its always fun to “make your own.” Before you go to the trouble though, it may be wise to go to your favorite tavern or pub and give it a try. Not everyone likesthe taste.  Seeds can be easilypurchased online.

 

ANISEED BUYING SITE 1                  

 OR

ANISEED BUYING SITE 2

 

Ingredients

 

Pure grain alcohol (180 proof)                          1 quart

Anise seeds (misnomer - they’re really fruit)        3 ounces

Sugar (white-granulated)                                  2 pounds

Water                                                             ˝ quart

 

How To Do It

 

Using a pestle and mortar,  crush the anise seeds to ensure that they are all broken with all seed insides exposed.

 

Note:  If you don’t have a pestle and mortar, use a blender.  However, be careful not to blend them too fast or to over-blend them.  Blending them too fast or too much will warm them and change their flavor a bit.

 

Once crushed, put the seeds in a two-quart jar that will hermetically close.

Add the alcohol, seal the jar tightly and let the seeds decompose in the alcohol in a dark location for 6 days.

After the six days have passed,  open the jar and filter the compostion with a coffee filter or a piece of tightly woven cloth.  You want to be sure that any sediment is removed.

In the meantime,  put the water and sugar in a pan and let them boil together for a couple of minutes ensuring the complete dissloution of the sugar into the water.

When the sugar is dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.

Pour the cooled syrup and alcohol mixture together into a  bottle large enough to hold them.

Cap the bottle tightly.

Let your anisette age for six months before sampling it.

Watch out, its pretty potent.

 

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