Starry Fizz

Cocktail Description

When the licorice-kissed mystique of southern France collides with Champagne's elegant bubbles, you get a sparkler that's equal parts intriguing and celebratory.

The Starry Fizz combines Ricard Pastis, that classic anise-flavored aperitif from Marseille, with Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne to create a refreshing, aromatic cocktail that tastes like a sophisticated twist on a French café classic. You'll get waves of fennel and licorice from the pastis, softened and lifted by the Champagne's crisp apple and citrus notes—it's herbaceous without being overpowering, and the effervescence keeps everything bright and lively. This is ridiculously easy to make: just pour a measure of pastis into a chilled flute and top with bubbly, then drop in a star anise pod for a visual flourish that echoes the drink's flavor profile. It's perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif, a sunny brunch, or whenever you want something that feels both fancy and a little unexpected. Pair it with salty, briny foods like oysters, smoked salmon, or olives—anything that complements those herbal, savory anise notes. The Starry Fizz proves that sometimes the best cocktails are the simplest ones, especially when they transport you straight to a Provençal terrace with just two ingredients.