Pernod and Ricard: Spirits that are as French as can be

Pernod and Ricard are both French anise-flavoured spirits that have their roots in absinthe. Photos: The Star/Michael Cheang

It was a question that had bugged me ever since I came to know about the global drinks conglomerate called Pernod Ricard: what exactly is Pernod and Ricard?

Well, apparently both Pernod AND Ricard are well-known spirits in their own right. Although they are relatively unknown in these parts, they are amongst the most popular drinks in their native France, and used to be bitter rivals, according to Pernod Ricard Malaysia marketing director Emmanuel Dokhelar.