Comments on: Mixology Monday: Pastis

By: Last Night’s Dinner » Halibut with Fennel and Tomatoes

Last Night’s Dinner » Halibut with Fennel and Tomatoes — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:58:38 +0000

[...] salt and allow them to cook over medium heat until caramelized. We’ve usually got a bottle of pastis around, so I like to add an ounce or so of that when I’m cooking with fennel to deepen that anise [...]

By: Moxy Castro

Moxy Castro — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 20:11:28 +0000

Michael and Jen,

Cool story about coming to Charbay “through the back door.” It’s often the case, as people who love great spirits gravitate toward botanical products: gin, pastis, etc….I am the National Sales Manager for Charbay, kind of an adopted kid to the family, and came to work for them in a similar way. The spirits and wines Miles and Marko make amaze me each time. Vintage, botanical vodka, who knew? Feel free to visit if you all are in the Napa Valley and sip some of the rum if you like unique spinoffs on standards-500 cases of alembic stilled sugar cane syrup-an anomoly and a good reason to knock off early just about any day. All the best for yummy goods everywhere by people who still give a damn. Botooms up-Moxy Castro

By: A Dash of Bitters » Charbay Vodka

A Dash of Bitters » Charbay Vodka — Mon, 29 May 2006 18:25:01 +0000

[...] My wife, Jen, used to be primarily a vodka girl, especially on the rocks with tonic water, which I think is probably the dullest drink around. After we hooked up, I started coaxing her in gin’s direction, and she’s pretty much thrown over vodka for good. But the wife and I are hosting a cocktail party next month, and we know we’ll have vodka drinkers, so we need to stock up. During our regular trip to LeNell’s, we asked LeNell for vodka recommendations, explaining that although we weren’t vodkaholics ourselves, we knew there were more flavorful versions available now, and could she recommend some? I mentioned in my MixMo post that we tried the pastis from Domaine Charbay, in California. Susan Karakasevic, a cofounder of Charbay, posted a kind and thoughtful comment, thanking us for sampling her family’s pastis. [...]

By: dietsch

dietsch — Fri, 26 May 2006 15:36:54 +0000

Susan,

Thank you for taking the time to write, and thanks to your family for
your commitment to fine spirits. LeNell, as you probably know, also
carries your vodkas and other Charbay products, and although my wife
and I have not yet sampled them, we look forward to doing so. The
pastis is great, so I know we won’t be disappointed.

By: Susan K

Susan K — Thu, 25 May 2006 01:40:31 +0000

Loved hearing that you found the Charbay Pastis. We distill fewer than 80 cases per release so it is hard to find. If you live close to LeNell’s in NYC, you’re a lucky person because she works hard to find the true artisan wines and spirits.
Next time try Pastis over ice with a splash of water… with salty nuts or spiced olives. That’s it. Simple pleasure. Picture the bistros of France with those relaxed people drapped over their chair watching the world go by… sipping Pastis and reading or having animated conversations.
Either stronger(less water) or weaker(more water and lasts longer)… it is a wonderful passage from the day to the evening hours. Aperitif time is time to slow down & enjoy a glass of Pastis. Here’s to all the great French small distillers… and to my husband who distills it for you and me here in the US…