If you like aniseed flavours, this is a grown-up sort of soft drink. Fennel and liquorice are already sweet and aromatic, and a crushed star anise in the brew pushes the anise note further, so it cooks down into a fragrant, naturally sweet syrup.
Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for the Fennel and Liquorice Cordial recipe. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/recipes/cocktails/fennel-and-liquorice-cordial/
One part to four parts soda over ice makes a fennel-anise spritz, dry and refreshing rather than sugary. It is caffeine-free, and being so aromatic, a little goes a long way.
You'll need
- 4 pyramid tea bags of Teapigs Fennel and Liquorice
- 500ml freshly drawn water at 100C, just off the boil
- 200g caster sugar
- 1 whole star anise, lightly crushed
- 30ml fresh lemon juice
- 1 medium saucepan
- 1 fine sieve for straining
- 1 sterilised 500ml glass bottle with cap
- 1 saucer for covering the steep
Method
- Steep the four pyramid bags and a crushed star anise in 500ml of just-boiled water for seven minutes, covered.
- Lift out the bags, leaving the star anise in, and press gently.
- Tip the brew and the star anise into a pan with the sugar and lemon juice.
- Simmer gently for ten minutes, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
- Strain through a fine sieve into a jug.
- Pour into a sterilised bottle while still warm, seal and chill.
- To serve, mix one part cordial with four parts soda water over ice.
- Tip: liquorice is already sweet, so taste as you go and hold back some sugar if you prefer it drier.
Want the background, not just the brew?
Brewed with: Teapigs Fennel and Liquorice, 15 Tea Bags 37.5g
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