Mauresque

Ricard | Orgeat

The Mauresque is a classic French apéritif that combines the bold, anise flavor of pastis with the sweet, nutty notes of orgeat (almond syrup), lengthened with chilled water. Hugely popular in the south of France—particularly around Marseille—it is legendary for its refreshing nature and the milky, cloud-like appearance (called the louche effect) that occurs when water hits the anise spirit. The cocktail dates back to 19th-century French soldiers serving in North Africa, and its name translates to "Moorish," honoring the classic North African flavor profile of almond and orange flower water. If you enjoy the Mauresque, you can explore other classic French café variations just by changing the syrup. Swapping orgeat for mint syrup makes a Perroquet ("Parrot"), using grenadine makes a Tomate, and strawberry syrup makes a Rourou.