Raising a Glass to the French Aperitif and Fifty Years of Conviviality with Pernod Ricard!

Pernod Ricard is a world leader in the spirits and champagne industry. Their impressive range of products offers more than 240 brands, including legendary names such as Absolut Vodka, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Chivas Scotch Whisky, Martell Cognac and Havana Club Rum. Pernod Ricard preserves and continues centuries-old traditions in their production of spirits from various cultures, maintaining the authenticity of each product. Bringing people together – conviviality – has always been at the heart of everything they do. 

This year marks the Pernod Ricard group’s 50th anniversary, celebrating fifty years of conviviality. In collaboration with indie puzzle company Le Puzz, known for their vintage aesthetic and whimsical flair, they have launched a limited-edition 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle called ‘Cheers!’ It features a vintage buffet image with several popular Pernod Ricard apéritifs. Puzzles have jumped in popularity since the lockdown. I started doing them during our August heatwave and again lately, as winter approaches. Le Puzz is where art and play collide, and their website has several whimsical puzzles available.

Their puzzles are designed to be immersive, with bold visuals, unexpected edges and vibrant patterns. They are perfect for relaxing after a hectic week or for gifting during the holiday season. These puzzles are all about slowing down, doing something tactile and rediscovering delight in detail. 

It’s November … and we’re back indoors … trying to remember what “hygge” means. Think cozy! Why not invite your closest friends over for a vintage-themed evening of delicious cocktails and a seventies-style buffet spread? Hit the thrift shops for a pair of bell-bottoms and flower-child accessories. For the buffet, think jello salads, a sandwich cake and olives. 

Here are three excellent apéritifs to enjoy: 

Pernod Ricard Lillet
Podensac, France 

This is a delightful wine-based apéritif, made famous in Ian Fleming’s first James Bond spy novel, Casino Royale. It’s pale golden yellow, with a distinctive aroma of orange zest. Mixed in a Lillet Spritz, it is light, elegant and refreshing, with a delicate orange flavour. Highly recommended when you want a light and fragrant apéritif. 

Dry • 17% • LCBO# 322297 • $20.45 • 750 ml

To make a Lillet Spritz:
1 part Lillet
2 parts tonic water
Ice cubes and slice of orange 

Ricard Pastis De Marseille
Marseille, France 

Ricard is one of the favourite apéritifs in France. The secret recipe was developed by Paul Ricard, an expert in distillation, in 1932, and has remained unchanged. It’s crafted with a variety of natural ingredients, including star anise, fennel anise, licorice, and aromatic plants from Provence. It’s delicious, enjoyed either before a meal as an apéritif or afterwards, when it can be savoured along with coffee.  

Dry • 45% • LCBO# 15693 • $31.95 • 750 ml

Pernod
France 

Pernod liqueur was developed in 1920, a few years after Absinthe was banned. It has a strong black licorice flavour, although it is actually made without licorice, which distinguishes it from Ricard Pastis. It has notes of star anise, fennel, coriander, mint and several other Provencal botanicals. The exact formula is another closely guarded secret. Served diluted with water, it becomes cloudy and is known as Pastis. It’s also delicious added to hot chocolate to make a perfect après-ski beverage. It works extremely well in cream sauces and if you’ve ever had shrimp in Pernod sauce, you know what I mean! 

Dry • 40% • LCBO# 6049 • $29.95 • 750 ml

Fun fact: the word apéritif comes from the Latin aperire, which means ‘to open’. It describes drinks that whet your appetite for a meal.  

For more wine and food discovery from Jane Staples, visit www.bellovinoj.com

Header Image: iStock