Pastis is now one of the favorite drinks of the French.
Pastis is now one of the favorite drinks of the French. A success that we owe to absinthe and a very famous name: Paul Ricard.
In the 19th century, the fashionable alcohol was absinthe. However, the so-called "green fairy" quickly became the number one enemy of anti-alcoholism leagues, medical officers and the Catholic Church.
It must be said that with its high alcohol content (over 60°!) and a strange molecule, absinthe wreaks havoc among its drinkers.
In short, in 1915, "alcohol that drives you crazy", and any drink over 16°, are prohibited.
But it is too late, the habit is taken, the French have taken a liking to fresh aniseed beverages. They then turn to Marseille absinthes based on star anise and liquorice. Prohibited until then, aniseed drinks were finally authorized again in 1920 provided they did not exceed 30° of alcohol.
A 23-year-old young man, the son of a wine merchant, took advantage of this authorization and marketed a new aniseed drink. He gives it his name, "Ricard".
Convivial and local, this is the image that Paul Ricard wants to give it. He launched it with a unique, simple but timeless slogan: “Ricard, the real pastis of Marseille”. Pastis was born.
Ricard pastis was a great success right from the start, so much so that it quickly attracted competitors. Pernod, the initiator of absinthe in France, then unveiled a new aniseed in its name and continued in 1951, with the release of "Pastis 51".
The competition between the two companies continued for several years, until 1974, when they came together and merged.
The Pernod-Ricard group has just been created. Since then, the brand has been one of the world leaders in spirits. So much so that we order “a pastis”, “a small yellow”, as well as a “Ricard”.
