Anise tincture appeared one of the very first among the existing alcoholic beverages. The classic recipe for making anise is transmitted from ancient times. It is simply impossible to confuse this drink with any other and this despite the fact that different methods are used to create alcohol and different spices are used. Also, in every country they try to improve the taste of anise, increase its strength and change the shade. But all this cannot cross out the aroma of anise and its amazing aftertaste.
The story of the birth of the drink
Many people identify the concepts of anise tincture and vodka of the same name. But these are completely different drinks that should not be confused. Despite the fact that the main ingredient of both liquids is anise, the recipes for their preparation are different from each other.
Tincture became popular in Europe and Russia at the beginning of the XVII century. During this period, caravans transporting spices traveled to the European continent from the eastern states. At the same time, anise tincture proved to be an excellent ingredient that can be added to baked goods and used to make vodka. In those days, there were two types of such tinctures: an elixir that was made from green anise (it grew on modern Russian territory) and a substance made from Chinese anise (star anise).
Of particular success was the bleached infusion with sugar, which was made using two varieties of anise at the same time. Today, anise tincture occupies a leading position in the production of alcohol in Asia and Europe. But in the Russian Federation there is no such drink in the assortment of alcoholic beverages. Therefore, if you want to treat yourself to a tasty and healthy drink, you will either have to go after it to overseas countries or cook at home, which, by the way, is not difficult.
The composition and positive qualities of the drink
Anise tincture is widely used in the medical field. Since the product contains many essential oils, it improves digestion and can also be used as a disinfectant. The elixir also helps to relieve constipation or diarrhea. To do this, you need to drink one tablespoon before a meal.
Anise contains organic acids, protein substances, fatty oil and sugar. Anise-based tincture helps get rid of bronchitis, tracheitis, laryngitis and cough. So, five to ten drops are added to tea from hawthorn, hypericum and rose hips. The medicine helps to calm the cough, discharge sputum and eliminate pathogenic bacteria.
Women during menstruation are recommended to drink anise to improve their well-being, as it eliminates pain and cramping in the back and lower abdomen. Nursing mothers can add aniseed tincture one teaspoon per tea. Thanks to the drink, lactation increases, and such a low alcohol content in milk does not harm the baby in any way.
If you dilute 20 drops of tincture from anise in a glass of water and thoroughly rinse the mouth cavity with the resulting composition after brushing your teeth, you can get rid of problems with gums and halitosis.
Contraindications and the harm of anise
We will give a recipe for anise tinctures below, but for now you need to find out about the dangers and contraindications to the use of the drink in order to avoid health problems. If you abuse anise, you can provoke alcohol dependence. Persons prone to allergies should definitely refrain from using such an elixir. Anisovka is also contraindicated for individuals who have an increased level of nervous excitability and a tendency to epileptic seizures.
If you decide to use a tincture for skin rubbing, then make sure that it does not have too high a concentration. Otherwise, burns may occur.
If you take anise to cure a cough, it is important to strictly adhere to the proportions in which it is used. Otherwise, you can only aggravate the situation and cause even greater harm to health.
The recipe for homemade anise tincture on vodka
The most popular is the recipe for aniseed tinctures on vodka. To make such a drink at home is very simple. For the elixir you will need:
- One teaspoon of aniseed seeds.
- Five grams of star anise.
- One teaspoon of caraway seeds.
- 500 milliliters 40% –45% vodka.
- One teaspoon of granulated sugar.
We put anise, star anise and caraway seeds in a deep pan, add vodka and tightly close the container with a lid. Then, for 14-16 days, we hide the dish in a dark place and make sure that it has room temperature. Every five days it is necessary to shake the container with tincture. After 16 days, filter the drink with gauze, folded in four layers. Add sugar to the resulting solution, mix, close the bottle and leave it for one more day. Now the aniseed homemade tincture is ready for use.
Moonshine tincture is not a hindrance
It turns out very tasty anise tincture on moonshine. To make a drink according to this recipe, you need half a liter of purified moonshine, one teaspoon of caraway seeds and anise and two star anise.
All the spices should be poured into the moonshine, close the container tightly and put it in a dark place for two weeks. After this, the tincture must be passed through a charcoal filter and again left for several days, but in a cool place. After this period, you can add to the drink no more than one teaspoon of fructose, honey or sugar. You can also “season” alcohol with one or two seeds of coriander or dill, which will give the product a slight spiciness and astringency.
Petrovskaya anise on moonshine
There is another recipe for anise brew on moonshine. This tincture is called "Petrovskaya" and for its preparation should be prepared 50 grams of anise, two liters of moonshine with a strength of 50 degrees, three hundred grams of sugar and water.
Anise must be poured with a drink of alcohol and infused in a dark place for two weeks. When this period passes, you need to boil the syrup from water and sugar, cool it and pour it into the tincture. The resulting drink is important to mix thoroughly and filter twice.
Recipe from Italy
Italian anise tincture is practically no different from traditional Russian. It can also be cooked at home. To do this, you need only two components: half a liter of vodka and 50 grams of anise seeds. The drink is infused for ten days, but this time must be increased depending on the strength of the vodka: the higher it is, the longer it is recommended to insist on anise.
In Italy, another drink is produced, which is a "cousin" of aniseed tinctures - sambuca. The basis of the product includes two varieties of anise: star and ordinary. This drink also has a rich history, unique taste and many beneficial properties.