At first glance, the Barbed Wire is a cocktail with a quite adventurous list of ingredients. I noticed that drink because I was looking for some recipes based on Pernod.

There are numerous versions of the drink, some with cherry liqueur, others with raspberry liqueur and even some variants with triple sec. But the essential ingredients seem to be vodka, vermouth, a red fruit liqueur and an anise spirit. Alltogether flavors which somehow look a little bit odd in that combination.

Nonetheless – after some experimentation – I’d prefer the recipe listed below. It comes up with fruity sweetness enriched by the liquorice-like notes of the pernod and is accentuated by subtle vanilla. Funky, but good!

Recipe:

4 cl Vodka
1 cl Pernod Anisée
2 cl Chambord
1,5 cl Lillet Rouge

Combine all ingredients with ice in a shaker and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds. Double strain in a chilled glass.

Glass: Martini

Garnish: none