Liquorice stick (cocktail)

Licorice stick
Cocktail
A Licorice stick or Regaliz served in a short tumbler.
TypeHighball
ServedOn the rocks: poured over ice
Standard garnishlong piece of black licorice.
Standard drinkware
Highball glass
Commonly used ingredients
PreparationBuild all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a piece of black licorice.
NotesGarnish with a piece of black licorice.

Liquorice Stick (/ˈlɪkɒrɪstɪk/) or alternatively spelled Licorice Stick, also known as a "Regaliz", is a highball (cocktail) made of cola, anisette or absinthe, and Liquorice sticks as a garnish. It originated in Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal where it was called a "pauzinho de alcaçuz" as an alternative to the rum and cola drink called a "cuba libre". In Spain it is called a "palito de orozuz". It was introduced into the U.S. through the Portuguese communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Recipe variations

Licorice stick cocktails can be mixed with just about any anis flavored liqueur.

Local variations

  • In Portugal, where the drink originates, it is often mixed with "anisette" but an older method considered more authentic is to make the drink using "absinthe" then cola is poured in over a sugar cube and ice
  • In Spain there is another variation, made with Anis del Mono and cola
  • In Greece Thessaloniki, there is another variant, that consists of "ouzo" and cola
  • In the Italy the drink is usually served with "sambuca" instead of anisette and mixed with cola