瑪塔·哈里苦艾酒

I wasn't sure what to expect from an anisette, but the citrus cutting through the herbs won me over fast. Mixed it with a little cold water and it went from sharp to smooth in seconds.

The spiced herbal depth is what got me—it’s bold and a little mysterious, and even a splash in a simple soda tastes like something special. Already planning my next adventurous cocktail around it.

I was expecting something harsh and got the opposite — this is smooth enough to sip neat over ice. The herbal mix keeps it interesting without tasting like black licorice candy, and it's become my go-to for slow evenings on the porch.