Fennel Digestif:

Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: Under 5 mins, plus steeping time | Active Time: Under 5 mins | Makes: 3 1/3 cups

If black licorice were to turn into liqueur, it’d be akin to the flavor of this delicate yet stiff digestif.

What to buy: We chose Everclear 151 grain alcohol to use in our digestifs; it picks up the flavoring elements much faster than vodka.

This recipe was featured as part of our Make Your Own Digestifs project, as well as our DIY Holiday Gifts Advent Calendar.

• 1/4 cup fennel fronds
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 2 cups grain alcohol, such as Everclear 151
• 1 1/2 cups Rich Simple Syrup

1. Combine fronds and seeds in a 1-quart glass jar with a tightfitting lid, add alcohol, cover, and let steep, undisturbed, at room temperature, for 6 days.
2. After 6 days, remove fronds and seeds, and add rich simple syrup. Stir to combine. Store in the freezer.

Rich Simple Syrup Recipe:

Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: 5 mins, plus cooling time | Active Time: 5 mins | Makes: 2 cups

Rich simple syrup is also known as rock candy syrup. Use this bar staple in our Basic Iced Tea or, if you want something spiked, in the Irish Fix.

Game plan: Feel free to substitute turbinado sugar for white in this recipe.

This syrup can be made weeks in advance and stored in a very clean container in the refrigerator.

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup water

1. Place sugar and water in a small saucepan and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce heat and simmer until sugar is completely dissolved and syrup is slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
3. Transfer syrup to a container with a tightfitting lid, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.