What is a Good Substitute for Anise Extract? 13 Choice

Anise extract is one of the most used extracts for making desserts, coffee beverages, baked goods, etc. But sometimes, anise extract does not become available in the market, even in online stores.

But you can overcome such a situation due to the substitute for anise extract providing similar benefits and blending surprisingly in your desired food.

Before going anywhere, try out these 13 substitutes for anise extract for your dessert or anything you want; I’m pretty much sure these will delight your taste buds!

What is Anise Extract? What does anise extract taste like?

Anise is a sweet and aromatic licorice-like flavor.

Cultivated and used to flavour food, sweets, and alcoholic beverages, particularly in the Mediterranean region.

What spice is similar to anise?

Licorice, Star Anise, Fennel, and Tarragon are spices similar to anise.

What can you substitute for anise extract? (14 Anise Extract Alternatives)

Substituting anise extract is relatively easy. You can use licorice extract, an anise-flavored liqueur, vanilla extract, anise oil, sambuca, absinthe, anisette, pastis, Pernod, ouzo, star anise, anise seed, etc.

1. LICORICE EXTRACT is a Perfect Replacement for Anise Extract

While substituting for anise extract, the first option that comes to mind is Licorice Extract. It is a dark brown color compound that has a natural sweetness.

You can use licorice extract for various culinary purposes instead of Anise extract, including candy, gums, chocolate used in cocktails.

Since Liquorice has natural sweetness, you can use it in ice cream, curries, and making wine; its extract is used primarily in Sambuca, Pernod, and Ouzo. Use 1 teaspoon of licorice extract for 1 teaspoon of anise extract.

2. VANILLA EXTRACT Excellent Choice to Alternative for Anise Extract

Vanilla Extract is the second-best replacement for Anise extract. You can use vanilla extract for baking goods, ice cream, dessert, pudding, custard pie filling, different cream sauce, etc.

vanilla extract is a excellent choice to alternative for anise extract

You know vanilla extract has no limit for cooking, including Coffee, chocolate drinks, salad dressings, and even fruit salads. 

You can also add it to a variety of beverages, including:

Sparkling water, fruit juice, iced tea, and alcoholic drinks.

3. ANISE OIL- A Decent Anise Extract Substitute

Substitute Anise oil for anise extract in cooking. It is a colorless or very pale yellow liquid derived from anise seeds. 

Anise oil is used to flavor candies, cough drops, baked goods, and confections. Use just 1/4 tsp. of anise oil for 1 tsp of anise extract.

4. PERNOD Another Absolute Alternative to Anise Extract

Pernod is a famous anise-flavored liqueur and bests while used as an anise extract substitute. Simply use 1 tablespoon Pernod for 1 teaspoon of anise extract.

Pernod is a sweet-flavored alcoholic liquid that will provide delicious dessert frosts with almost the same effects as any high-quality anise extract.

5. Substitute STAR ANISE for Anise Extract in Baking

Do you have star anise in your kitchen! Great, bring them and place anise extract in various recipes. I think star anise will be the easiest anise extract substitute.

They are excellent alternatives for each other due to their comparable flavor qualities. Know more about Star Anise Substitutes.

6. Use SAMBUCA Instead of Anise Extract in Coffee

Sambuca is an Italian anise-favored liqueur and is excellent for anise extract in a cocktail, Coffee, dessert, etc. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of Sambuca for 1 teaspoon of anise extract.

7. Substitute ANISE SEED for Anise Extract

Anise seed is a spice commonly used to flavor biscuits, cakes, and liqueurs. It has a strong, licorice-like flavor. 

It complements savory foods, cookies, and desserts well.

Use 2 teaspoons of Powdered anise seeds for every teaspoon of anise extract in the recipe.

8. OUZO Similar to Anise Extract 

Ouzo is a Greek dry anise flavor digestif or aperitif. It is a similar flavor to Sambuca, pastis. 

Ouzo can substitute on behalf of anise extract and Sambuca, Pernod as well.

Ouzo is typically blended with water, turning murky white, occasionally faint blue, and offered in a tiny glass with ice cubes. Ouzo can also be consumed directly from a shot glass.

Ouzo is frequently served with a small plate of mezes, a variety of appetizers such as little fresh fish, fries, olives, and feta cheese. Ouzo has a licorice-like flavor comparable to absinthe, but it is smoother.

9. Add ABSINTHE place of Anise Extract in Cooking

Absinthe is a French anise flavor spirit occasionally used in baking, cooking, etc.

add absinthe extract in the place of anise extract in cooking.

Absinthe has a sweet flavor similar to fennel. I must state that there is a good combination of sweet and fragrant flavors.

Replace 1 teaspoon of anise extract with 1 to 2 tablespoons of Absinthe. You may check various Absinthe substitutes as well.

10. Subs ANISETTE with Anise Extract 

Anisette is another famous anise-flavored liqueur that is used in most Mediterranean countries. Anisette is another widespread substitute for anise extract in baking. 

The flavor of Anisette liqueur is rich and strong, with traces of aniseed. You can use it to flavor fish, poultry, or cream sauces in savory cookery. You can consume this at any time of day, cold or hot.

Anisette is a terrific dressing for desserts like fruit compotes and ice cream, as well as chocolate cakes. Use 2 tablespoons of Anisette for 1 teaspoon of anise extract.

11. PASTIS is Another Choice for Anise Extract Due Same Flavor

Use Pastis, a french anise-flavor apéritif spirit, instead of anise extract in season soups, sauces, and marinades.

Replace 2 tablespoons of Pastis for each teaspoon of anise extract. Pastis contains star anise, fennel, and other herbs that provide any dish with a rich flavor.

Pastis liqueur delivers fish, seafood, and chicken meals a pleasant, licorice-like savor.

12. HERBS DE MAJORCA Makes from Anise

Herbs de Majora is another good anise extract alternate mainly used in meditation countries like Majorcan. 

It is a fusion of various healthy herbs, anise, aromatic plants such as mint, rosemary, orange, chamomile, fennel, and lemon.

You can use it as a digestif after a meal.

13. Try RAKI Substitute for Anise Extract

Raki is a Turkish alcoholic drink made from anise and twice-distilled grapes. Raki serves with various savory seafood and meze.

The taste of Raki similar to sambuca and pastis. So you can easily compensate with anise extract. Use 1 tablespoon of Raki for each teaspoon of anise extract. 

How to substitute anise oil for anise extract?

Anise oil is a prominent flavouring component in a variety of pastry items.

All bakeries are expected to have anise oil in their kitchens in many countries. 

Substituting anise oil for anise extract may not yield the same taste. Still, both are closely related in terms of their similar flavors.

Anise extract is one of the most common alcoholic extracts used in the food and beverage manufacturing industry.

How do you make Anise extract from Star Anise?

Anise extract can be made from Star Anise in two ways; one is the traditional way known as steam distillation. The second method is solvent extraction.

Can I substitute almond extract for anise?

No, you should NOT use almond extract in place of anise extract.

Almond extract is made from the kernels of sweet almonds, while anise extract is made from anise fruit with a strong licorice flavor. 

They are not interchangeable ingredients in recipes, so you may want to find out where you can get some anise extract if that’s what your recipe calls for.

For substitutes, you can use two teaspoons lemon juice and two teaspoons vanilla in place of the anise.

Anise Extract vs Star Anise

It’s a common question, “Is anise extract just another name for star anise?” If you’re going to purchase the concentrated oil of the seed, fruit, pod, or stem of a plant, then it’s a relevant question. 

So read on to find out which one is considered safe and why two distinct names exist for what may seem to be the same thing.

What is Anise Extract?

Anise extract is a concentrated version of anise oil. It can be pure or diluted with other oils to make a product safe for use in food and beverages. 

Anise extract is used as a flavoring to make medicine or in aromatherapy for its fragrance.

Anise extract can also refer to extracts from other plants that contain some of the same chemical compounds found in star anise oil but at different percentages. 

For example, angelica root extract, fennel seed extract, sweet cumin seed extract, or annatto seed extract.

What is Star Anise?

Star anise (Illicium verum) is native to China and Vietnam, where it’s used today in cuisines like Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Laotian. 

It’s also grown in India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It’s a small evergreen tree whose fruits contain anise oil at a concentration of about 90% to 95%. 

Oil from star anise is used in cooking, perfumes, aromatherapy, and medicine. In contrast, dried fruit is used in soups and other food dishes.

Star anise is also one of the ingredients of the Chinese five-spice powder. In Japan, star anise is used for making shikimi (Japanese spice mix) which is another version of five-spice powder.

So both are Extracts?

While both may be extracts, the two oils contain different concentrations of chemical compounds, so they taste and smell different. 

The chemical composition of star anise oil also makes it dangerous when consumed in large quantities, which is why food products containing star anise are required to disclose the ingredient on their label.

My All-Time Favorite Anise Extract Substitutes 

  • · Ground Anise
  • · Star Anise
  • · Absinthe
  • · Anisette
  • · Pastis
  • · Pernod
  • · Licorice Extract
  • · Vanilla Extract
  • · Ouzo

Wrap Up On Substitutes for Anise Extract

If you are a home chef and need to substitute for anise extract in your recipe, these will work with the same measurements.

It’s crucial to note that these things can have a wide range of flavors and textures, so double-check ingredient lists before making any changes.

I hope you enjoyed reading and found it helpful in searching for an anise extract substitute.

Please leave me a comment on which replacement of anise extract you like the most. 

FAQs Related to Anise Extract & Its Alternatives 

Q1. How much anise extract equals one-star anise?

A rough approximation would be 1/3 to 1/4 tsp of pure anise extract per star anise called for in a recipe.

Q2. What is the equivalent of anise oil to anise extract?

Anise oil is very, very light. If the food/drink recipe requires more than one drop of anise oil, you will most likely receive a better result by using extract.

However, if the recipe requires one drop of anise oil, try using 1 tsp. Imitation extract, instead.

Q3. Is licorice and anise the same?

Is licorice anise? No, but it’s often confused for it.
What is the difference between licorice and anise?

Licorice extract is made from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra. In contrast, anise extract is made from the seeds of Pimpinella anisum. 

The two plants are so similar that the words “licorice” and “sweet root” have been used interchangeably.
 
Licorice is also used to flavor candy and gum but is not confused with anise. 

Anise is a plant from the anise family, and it’s used to flavor a wide range of dishes, including desserts.

The main differences are in which parts of the plant are used and the appearance of the final product. 

Licorice extract is brownish-yellow and has a sweet, earthy flavor. Anise extract is clear and has a strong licorice-like taste.

Q4. Can you substitute anise extract for vanilla extract?

YES. Anise extract is made from the seeds of the anise plant, which gives it a sweet, warm flavor. Both vanilla and anise extract has a similar flavor. 

Anise extract is used in cooking and baking and can be found at most specialty stores or online retailers. You can use Anise extract in place of vanilla.

Q5. Can I substitute anise extract for star anise?

Substituting anise extract for star anise in Chinese 5-spice powder is not advisable since the flavors of both spices are not exactly the same. 

The flavor of anise extract, which is a by-product from distilling oil of anise seeds, may be more intense than that of star anise. 

In Chinese cuisine, star anise is used as a spice for meats and seafood because its flavor can be more easily controlled than anise extracts. 

Star anise works better in dishes where the other ingredients can mask its flavor.

Q6. Can you substitute vanilla extract for anise extract?

Vanilla extract is a mixture of essential oils of true vanilla beans soaked in a solution of ethyl alcohol and water. 

Anise extract is usually composed of essential oils of anise seed, star anise fruit, and fennel, which are soaked in a solution of water and ethyl alcohol. 

Vanilla extract can be substituted for anise extract in some cases. Still, cooks need to know the qualities of the vanilla and the recipe to determine if the substitution will work.

Q7. Is Anise Extract the Same as Vanilla Extract?

Anise extract and vanilla extract are derived from anise or vanilla beans, but they have different tastes. 

The primary distinction between the two is that anise extract tastes like licorice while vanilla extract tastes like vanilla.

There are also notable differences in where they grow and how they are processed. Although many differences exist, vanilla extract and anise extract are still replaced interchangeably.

Leave a Comment