July 9, 2023

CHILLED MELON AND PASTIS SOUP

Cool down and refresh your palate with the perfect balance of sweet and savoury flavours in this chilled melon and Pastis soup.

A Feast for the Senses

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the most of the season, and what better way to do so than with a refreshing and elegant soup? This melon soup with Pastis liquor is a delightful starter (or a dessert) that draws its inspiration from my sunny and picturesque South of France. The lovely orange hues of this melon soup with Pastis make it a visual treat that is as delicious as it is pleasing to the eye. I made this special chilled soup for my family and they are all still talking about it!

Memories of Summer

For those who have been lucky enough to visit my beautiful South of France during the summer months, this dish will bring back fond memories of lazy days spent lounging by the pool and warm evenings enjoying delicious meals with family and friends. The melon soup with Pastis is the perfect way to evoke these memories and transport yourself back to those carefree summer days.

Pastis: The Anise-Flavoured Elixir of the French

When it comes to anise-flavoured spirits and apéritifs, few are as celebrated and beloved as Pastis. This quintessentially French drink is a fixture in the country’s culinary and cultural landscape, revered for its unique and complex profile.

A History of Prohibition and Innovation

The origins of Pastis are rooted in the prohibition of absinthe, a popular and controversial drink in France during the early 20th century. In the wake of absinthe’s ban, enterprising distillers sought to create a new beverage that would satisfy the French people’s craving for a potent and flavourful apéritif.

One such distiller was Henri-Louis Pernod, who acquired the recipe for Pastis and worked tirelessly to popularize the drink in the late 19th century. With its distinctive blend of green anise, star anise, and liquorice, Pastis quickly became a beloved staple in French bars and households alike.

Aroma Notes

What sets Pastis apart from other anise-based drinks is its unique blend of botanicals and spices. The combination of green anise, star anise, and liquorice creates a complex and layered profile that is simultaneously sweet, herbal, and slightly bitter.

In addition, Pastis is also renowned for its captivating aroma. The drink’s bouquet is redolent with notes of anise, fennel, and other fragrant herbs, making it a sensory experience that is as enjoyable to smell as it is to taste.

Perfect for Any Occasion

So, this melon soup with Pastis is a versatile dish that can be served as a starter or a light lunch. It is perfect for a summer party or a casual get-together with friends. Whether you are looking to transport yourself back to the South of France or simply looking for a refreshing summer treat, this cold soup is ideal to tackle whatever the summer may bring…

Weather heats up recipes

You may refresh your palate with these sunny recipes :

A strawberry soup with orange blossom or a watermelon pizza with truffle oil!

Do not forget to leave a comment and let me know how it turned out! And if you have any variation of this recipe that you would like to share, I would love to hear it. Happy cooking and bonne dégustation!

Sixtine ;)