Brightest Young Things

I first saw this and gagged. Upon further inspection I determined it's definitely worth your time.

Pernod Martini

• 2 oz Gin
• 1/2 oz Dry vermouth
• 1 dash Pernod

Stir the gin and vermouth in a glass with ice and strain. Before you pour in the martini, swirl the dash of Pernod around the cocktail glass to coat. Then pour in martini. This is a nice take on the Martini because the anise flavor just goes so well with a good and fragrant gin (think Hendrick's, not Bombay). Pastis, of which Pernod is a brand, was created as a legal substitute for absinthe before wormwood was decriminalized. Despite absinthe's resurgence I think pastis still has a place in the bar. You can also substitute ouzo in this drink as a last resort if you must, but go with Pernod if you can.