More About Antesite

Antésite is a French ultra-concentrated liquorice drink flavouring, sold in a small bottle with a red cap: a few drops turn a glass of water into a refreshing, sugar-free drink. Epicerie Corner stocks the original liquorice-aniseed recipe and several other Antésite flavours, delivered across the UK.

What Is Antésite?

Antésite was created in 1898 by Noël Perrot-Berton, an apothecary in Voiron, near Grenoble in the French Alps. Railway construction workers in the area drank wine and anisette to cope with the heat, and he set out to give them something thirst-quenching without alcohol. The name comes from the Latin ante sitis, meaning "against thirst". The drink spread well beyond the Alps and is still made in the Voiron area today.

Antésite is not a syrup or a cordial. It contains no sugar and no sweeteners, and the brand states it has no colourings or preservatives. The sweetness you taste comes from liquorice itself, which is naturally sweet-tasting. The result is a pale, aromatic drink with a long, slightly bitter-sweet finish; the recipes also contain gentian extract. Because it is so concentrated, one 13 cl bottle flavours up to around 220 glasses, according to the brand.

Antésite Flavours

Every Antésite recipe is built on liquorice, paired with a second flavour:

• Réglisse Anis (liquorice and star anise): the original Antésite, described by the brand as unchanged since 1898. Aniseed lovers will find it close in spirit to a pastis, without the alcohol.
• Menthe Réglisse (mint and liquorice): fresher and cooler. Available as Antésite Mint Réglisse and the Mint Licorice Zero Sugar bottle.
• Citron Réglisse (lemon and liquorice): a brighter, zesty option, good in hot water or herbal tea. Try Antésite Lemon Licorice.
• Licorice Ginger: spicy and warming, made with ginger from Madagascar.
• Licorice Eucalyptus Pine: woody and resinous, with a cooling eucalyptus note.

How to Use Antésite

Start small. The brand suggests about 15 drops for a 20 cl glass, and you can add more or less to taste. Stir and taste, then adjust. Each flavour has its own strength, so it is worth experimenting with the number of drops when you open a new bottle.

• Cold: mix into still water, or into sparkling water for a fizzy, sugar-free soft drink. Add a few drops to a jug or a 1 litre bottle to take out for the day.
• Hot: in winter, stir a few drops into hot water or a herbal infusion. Lemon and ginger flavours work particularly well this way.
• Ice cubes: add Antésite to water in an ice-cube tray and freeze, then use the cubes to flavour plain drinks as they melt.
• Mocktails and cocktails: a dash adds a liquorice or aniseed note to alcohol-free drinks, lemonade or tonic.
• Cooking: chefs use it to flavour yoghurt, desserts, ice cream, sauces and marinades. Use a few drops at a time, as it is very concentrated.

Antésite and Liquorice: What to Know

Liquorice contains a natural compound called glycyrrhizin, and large amounts of liquorice can affect blood pressure. For this reason, Antésite advises that people with high blood pressure and pregnant women should check with a doctor or other health professional before drinking it. Everyone else should follow the dosage on the bottle and enjoy it as a flavouring rather than drinking it in large quantities. If you take regular medication or have a heart or kidney condition, it is sensible to ask your pharmacist or GP too.

If you prefer a sweet fruit cordial for children, browse our cordials instead; Antésite has a grown-up, herbal taste that suits those who already enjoy liquorice or aniseed.

Antésite FAQs

Does Antésite contain sugar?

No. Antésite is made without added sugar and without sweeteners. The nutrition panel shows only traces of sugar, and because you only use a few drops per glass, the amount in a finished drink is very small. The sweet taste comes from the liquorice itself, which is why many people use it to replace sweetened soft drinks or cordials.

How many drops of Antésite should I use?

Antésite recommends about 15 drops for a 20 cl glass of water. That is a starting point rather than a rule: some people like a lighter drink with fewer drops, others a stronger one. Because it is ultra-concentrated, a single 13 cl bottle lasts a long time, flavouring up to around 220 glasses.

Is Antésite alcoholic?

No. Antésite is a non-alcoholic concentrate. It was created in 1898 precisely to give workers a thirst-quenching alternative to wine and anisette. The original liquorice and star anise flavour does have an aniseed taste reminiscent of pastis, which is why some people enjoy it as an alcohol-free apéritif.

Can I drink Antésite hot?

Yes. Antésite can be added to hot water, herbal tea or infusions as well as to cold drinks. The brand suggests drinking it cool in summer and warm in winter. Lemon, ginger and eucalyptus flavours are especially pleasant in a hot drink.