Ricard

Ricard is a French pastis, an anisette- and licorice-flavored liqueur produced in Marseille. It was created in 1932 by Paul Ricard, the founder of the company that bears his name, and is named for him. The brand is currently owned by Pernod Ricard, the multinational spirits group formed by the merger of Pernod and Ricard.

Ricard is typically produced from a wine base infused with distillates of star anise and other botanicals. It is commonly sold at around 40–45% alcohol by volume. In serving, pastis is diluted with cold water, which causes the drink to turn cloudy; a common ratio is four parts water to one part Ricard, though individual taste varies. It is widely used as an apéritif, especially in southern France, and is closely associated with Marseille.

The brand has become a symbol of regional French drinking culture and is distributed internationally, though it remains most strongly linked to French pastis traditions and summertime social life. It is part of the portfolio of Pernod Ricard, a major global player in wines and spirits.