Pastis

We decided to have a relaxed day on Saturday after a couple days filled with driving and sightseeing. So we decided to walk over to the neighboring village of Seguret (every day when we look out of our windows we see Seguret on the hillside opposite our house in Sablet).

The morning was beautiful, so we put the umbrella on the rack and stqrted the 50 minute walk through the vinyards that surround the two villages. As we walked, the clouds seemed to be following us (and maybe even catching up...).

Seguret is another beautiful little medieval village and we had a great time wandering around the narrow lanes. Then we heard the thunder...

Just as it started to rain we came across a little bar/cafè and we zipped in to stay dry. I ordered a coffee (it comes as a small espresso) and Paula had an Orangina (a bottled orange drink). Right behind us came about a dozen other people - the rain was aa big boost to business and there wasn't an empty seat in the little place. Then the skies opened and we witnessed a hugh deluge.

The guys down the bar from us were drinking some sort of drink with ice and water added. Paula asked the young bartender what it was and he said, "pastis". It's an licorice/anise flavored drink like Greek ouzo. Paula ordered one and the bartender gave her a funny look, but brought over the bottle. He poured about a half inch into a wine glass and then dropped in a couple ice cubes. Next he gave Paula a bottle of cold water. He told her to add water. She put in about a half inch of water and asked him if that was enough. He seemed a bit panicky and emphatically said that it wasn't anywhere close to enough. After several more pours and questions he seemed satisfied with the mixture (the wineglass was almost full!).

The pastis was drinkable, but we kept diluting it as we drank. It's a very popular aperatif here in France and quite tasty when properly diluted...

The bartender was entertained enough by the proceedings that the pastis was on the house...

Here's a photo of Paula, the pastis, and the rest of the cafe patrons watching the deluge outside the door...