Pernod is a French anise-flavored liqueur, or if we’re being more specific, it’s an anise-flavored pastis apéritif. It’s quite a fun drink and is decently popular in France. It’s also used in several recipes, especially those involving seafood, and gives them a nice touch of flavor and depth.
However, it’s not that popular or readily available outside of France, so many people could want Pernod substitutes for their recipe. Besides, a bottle of Pernod is fairly expensive, so buying a full bottle doesn’t quite feel like the right choice if all you need is a quarter cup!
Whether it’s cost, availability, a desire to stay away from alcohol, or anything else, our list here has ideas and options that can work for you.
A conventional list of Pernod substitutes can include Pastis, absinthe, white wine, anisette, sambuca, and others. But there’s more to this story and some details are worth a look.
So, let’s get to the juicy details and ideas for substituting or sourcing Pernod.
Table of Contents
Pernod Substitutes And Alternative Ideas To Try
1. Sourcing Options
Our first suggestion is not really about substitutes, but about alternative ways you could get your hands on some Pernod for the recipe. Pernod has some complex flavors that are not as easily reached when using a substitute. So, if you are a stickler to recipes, these sourcing ideas might help.
A basic suggestion presented many times is to buy a bottle of Pernod anyway since it has a long shelf life. You could enjoy the liqueur when you desire, or let it sit until you need the bottle again.
However, this may not work out well, because if you don’t use Pernod all that often, you’re unlikely to use the bottle anyway. Besides, even though it has a long shelf life, it can go bad. Many of us who love to cook probably already have many such ingredients that were bought with the same logic, but never used again.
The second option, and perhaps a more practical one, is to consider small or airline-sized bottles. This could work, but it can be rather difficult to find these smaller bottles.
Another option is to go to a bar that serves this liqueur. Order the amount you need, and take it away in a to-go cup!
2. Pastis
Pastis is an anise-flavored spirit, quite similar to Pernod. In fact, both of these are made by the same manufacturer and are closely related. Star anise and licorice are the prominent flavors here, and much like Pernod, it pairs nicely with seafood.
There is a slight difference in flavors between both spirits, but it should be acceptable for a substitute. Additionally, pastis is comparatively less expensive than Pernod, making it easier on the pocket.
However, there is a downside as well. Much like Pernod, Pastis isn’t as popular or available as easily outside of France.
3. Absinthe
Absinthe is a strongly flavored spirit that can work as a substitute for Pernod in many recipes. The potent spirit is highly flavorful and aromatic, with the distinct touch of anise becoming quite evident. There’s also some fennel and wormwood in it, which work with other ingredients to give this spirit its distinct flavor, aroma, and color.
Given all this, absinthe is more than qualified to be a suitable substitute for Pernod. However, some care must be exercised when choosing this route. Absinthe has a very high alcohol content compared to Pernod, which must be adjusted within the recipe.
A good way to get around this is to use only a relatively small quantity of absinthe (start with about one-third) and then work your way up, depending on how you want the recipe. Water can be added to manage the liquid content, considering the low amount of absinthe used.
4. Other Alcoholic Beverages From The ‘Anise Drinks’ Family
There are several anise drinks that can work as substitutes for Pernod. These drinks are often characterized by a strong flavor of anise and can have alcohol content on the higher side. Additionally, they can have significant alcohol content.
Pernod belongs to this family of spirits. As do absinthe and pastis, which are popular enough to deserve their own spot on the list.
This type of alcoholic beverages are fairly popular and available in several parts of the world, with some different characteristics and names. Some of these are:
- Ouza (Greece)
- Arak (Levant)
- Anisette or Anis (Spain)
- Raki (Turkey)
- Sambuca (Italy)
- Xtabentún (Mexico)
They might seem different, but many of these are closely related. For example, Anis in Spain can be pretty much the same as Anisette in France. Similarly, Sambuca in Italy can be seen as Anisette (or Anis) of Italian origin.
It is possible to use many of these as substitutes for Pernod. However, the exact substitution will depend on the flavor profile of the liquor you choose.
5. White Wine
Using white wine as a Pernod substitute can be an acceptable option, especially if you’re cooking seafood. The wine is usually acidic enough to remove the odors and it can contribute a good flavor to the dish without affecting other aspects like color or texture.
However, the part white wine can’t substitute is the flavor. The anise and licorice flavor would be missing from your recipe. One way to deal with it is to crush or powder some anise seeds along with some licorice and add them to your recipe.
It might be possible to use fennel seeds as well, though that will bring a slight change in flavor. If you’re not up to crushing fennel or anise seeds, it might be possible to use them whole. Do remember that these little seeds will affect the overall appearance and style of the recipe.
6. Anise Extract
Anise extract can be a good choice for those who want the unique flavor of anise in their food, but can’t use other alcohol-based substitutes on this list.
To be clear, anise extract is very likely to have some alcohol. However, the quantity would be nearly negligible when used in your recipe. Since only a small amount of the extract will be used for the recipe, do remember to adjust the liquid content to reflect the change.
On the other hand, if you do use anise extract and want the alcohol flavor, you can try adding some white wine or vodka. Even vermouth could go nicely with this substitution, and add a touch of deep flavors of its own.
7. Fennel Infusion
If you don’t want any alcohol in your recipe, but would like the flavor that comes with Pernod, using a fennel infusion could do the trick. Fennel is closely related to anise, so the flavors can be quite similar.
A simple idea is to put some fennel seeds in water, then heat it for a while. This will cause the water to become flavorful with fennel.
Once it is adequately to your liking, you can strain this mix to remove any fennel seeds, and use the fennel-infused water in your recipe.
Those who want the alcohol touch of flavor as well, can also add a small amount of white wine or vodka to enhance the flavor.
For some recipes, like Paella, it is possible to use the fennel plant. Dice the fronds and stem, and add them to the recipe. Though the fennel plant is not as strong in flavor as the seeds, it can add a decent touch of flavor to your recipe.
8. Star Anise Tea
This is very similar to the fennel infusion method. However, in place of fennel, we can use the star anise spice to get similar results.
Keep in mind, that despite their similar names, anise and star anise are not closely related. In fact, anise is more closely related to fennel than to star anise. That said, star anise can be a decent substitute in this scenario.
9. Lemon Juice
As you can guess, lemon juice is not an ideal substitute for Pernod in most recipes. It can significantly alter the flavor of the recipe, bringing a fresh and tangy touch to the food. However, if you’re in a tight spot, this might work to some extent.
Lemon juice is acidic and can work with most seafood or meat recipes. When paired with other non-alcohol ideas on this list, it can be quite a decent choice. The acidic lemon juice can help with odors or with tenderizing the meat, while the other options like fennel-water add the background touch of flavors and give a little offset to the citrus flavors of lemon juice.
Other citrus fruit juices can also be useful as the substitute, though the taste and flavors will need to be balanced.
10. Skip It
Pernod can be seen as an important ingredient in several recipes. Indeed it does add a touch of flavor and freshness to several foods. However, in many cases, it is not essential to the recipe. So, if you don’t want to use Pernod or its substitutes suggested here, it might be okay to skip it from the recipe.
However, this will cause some change in the overall flavor of the dish.
Key Points For Use Of Pernod Or Pernod Liqueur Substitutes
Pernod Appearance And Taste
It is important to understand the taste profile of Pernod so that we can substitute it better.
Pernod is a liquid that’s generally clear and has a green tinge. It turns slightly cloudy when water is added. In fact, it is generally recommended that you mix Pernod with some water if you intend to drink it. The color-changing aspect is known as the Ouzo effect and is seen in pretty much all alcoholic beverages of the anise family.
It has something of a pungent aroma, though notes of aniseed and fennel are prominent along with some licorice. Apart from the distillates of star anise and fennel, it also includes distillates from several other herbs. It is generally on the sweeter side though it’s not nearly a liqueur, even though it is sometimes characterized as such.
Pernod shows a herbal taste and complexity and is often seen as a cleansing and refreshing drink. When used for cooking, it pairs remarkably well with meats but it is especially popular with seafood. In such cases, the complex herbal flavors of the drink add to the overall taste and flavor profile of the recipe.
It Is Okay To Experiment And Mix-and-Match Substitutes
Experimenting is a big part of the joy of cooking. Even more so, when you have to work with substitutes.
As an example, our list here brings several substitutes as suggestions. But, there’s always room for you to let your creativity shine. It might be useful to experiment with the suggested substitutes to get a flavor closer to your heart.
Adding some anise extract and fennel infusion with white wine could make a decent substitute for Pernod. Similarly, lemon juice could benefit from some anise and fennel flavoring, while herbs like tarragon and dill play a balancing act to make up for the complex flavors of Pernod.
Getting The Right Pernod Substitute
Now that we have a big list of Pernod substitutes, it should be easy to take your pick for the recipe. So whether you intend a cocktail, are cooking seafood, or intend to enjoy a paella, you should have options to get the recipe going.
Always remember to adjust for the liquid amount, the deep and complex flavors of Pernod, and perhaps add some complexity and combination to the substitutes to get the best results.