For over 25 years now, Father Gil Florini, Rector of the Sanctuary of the Madonna of Utelle and Dean-Priest in Nice, has been deploying his talents to create aperitifs and liqueurs that can be enjoyed in good houses.
But there was one aperitif he had never dared to confront: Pastis. And yet it is one of his favorite drinks, not to say his most favored drink. With more or less water… depending on the season and time…
So, a few months ago Father Gil set out to find a balanced pastis as he likes it. He experimented in the cellars of the presbytery and tasted numerous pastis, made all over France…
And one day, the revelation! An encounter that only providence could bring about. A delicious pastis with a fine taste of anise and licorice, and handmade by a company founded by a former Scout chaplain. And with plants picked not far from us, in Castellane.
This is the pastis, which Father Gil Florini has named “Pastis de Nice,” presented to you today.
The Production of this Pastis
This is a handcrafted pastis made according to old methods. The plants arrive dried, and after swelling in water for a few minutes, they steep in alcohol, at various strengths, for different durations, and at temperatures that depend on each one.
The infusions (they take the name “tinctures”, because of their magnificent colors, ranging from yellow, to red, to amber, and to the deepest green, depending on the plants or parts of the plants that were macerated) are then drained and filtered, to rest for a few months before being used in the preparation of the pastis.
To prepare a pastis, the infusions are assembled according to the pastis recipe and are diluted by adding water and alcohol. They are indeed too strong in taste to be consumed as is.
Once diluted, what will become the pastis rests for a few months to naturally clarify and assemble. Therein lies the secret of quality; our artisan is the only manufacturer in France to proceed in this way, according to the methods of the old aniseed liqueur makers.
Indeed, during dilution, a number of components desolubilize. It then takes several months for these insoluble elements to impart their fragrances to the pastis, which is considerably enriched as a result.
*Excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous for your health. Drink responsibly.
