Behind every herbal liqueur are a recipe, a craft and a story inspired by its region. From lemon verbena grown in Auvergne to the plants and spices that shape the identity of a famous Basque liqueur, each ingredient contributes to the character of these French regional specialties.
Let’s discover two brands from the VEDRENNE Group: PAGÈS and its signature Verveine du Velay, a symbol of Auvergne gastronomy, as well as IZARRA, an icon of the Basque Country.
What is an herbal liqueur?
An herbal liqueur is a spirit drink made from plant ingredients such as leaves, roots, flowers, seeds or spices.
Depending on the recipe, their aromas are extracted by maceration in alcohol or by distillation. The master distiller then blends the different preparations to achieve a balance of herbal or spicy notes, sweetness and bitterness.
Long enjoyed as digestifs, French herbal liqueurs are now also finding their place in cocktails.
In Auvergne, lemon verbena is at the heart of PAGÈS Verveine du Velay
In Le Puy-en-Velay, verbena is much more than an aromatic plant: it is part of Auvergne’s gastronomic heritage.
Distillerie PAGÈS has been perpetuating its expertise in plants and their distillation since 1859. Its historic specialty, Verveine du Velay, has become one of France’s most iconic verbena liqueurs.
A plant grown and harvested with care
The variety used is lemon verbena, prized for its fresh, intensely lemony aroma. Distillerie PAGÈS grows it on its own property.
Planted in June, it is harvested before the first frosts, then dried away from light to preserve its aromatic qualities. The leaves are then separated from the stems by hand.
This precise work is the starting point for an ancestral recipe that brings together local verbena, a blend of plants, spices and aromatic ingredients.
Expertise in maceration, distillation and aging
Making Verveine du Velay takes around eighteen months and involves three main steps:
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maceration, which extracts the aromas from the plants into the alcohol;
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distillation in copper stills, rooted in the historic expertise of apothecaries;
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aging in oak barrels for at least twelve months, which gives the liqueur depth and roundness.
The PAGÈS verbena range lets you explore several expressions of this iconic plant.
Verveine du Velay Verte has an intense, herbal character, while Verveine du Velay Jaune stands out for the honey in its recipe.
Verveine du Velay Extra, blended with cognac, offers greater roundness and depth. At 18%, Petite Verveine du Velay is a milder version.
Since 2021, Liqueur de Verveine Bio Les Jardins de PAGÈS has joined the range. It is made with verbena and French organic alcoholate.
Continuing the expertise passed down by its founder, herbalist Joseph Rumillet-Charretier, PAGÈS also presents its latest creation: a Liqueur de Menthe Poivrée, inspired by the French tradition of digestif liqueurs. It celebrates mint and its fresh, sweet and intense aromatic notes.
How should you enjoy verbena liqueur?
Verbena liqueur can be enjoyed neat or over ice at the end of a meal. It can also be used in cocktails, especially with lime, mint, tonic, ginger beer or sparkling water.
For an easy, refreshing recipe, the Verveine Fizz cocktail is made with:
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3 cl PAGÈS Verveine du Velay Verte;
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2 cl lime juice;
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1 cl VEDRENNE Cane Sugar Syrup;
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sparkling water.
A simple cocktail that lets the verbena’s lemony, herbal notes shine.
In the Basque Country, IZARRA and its recipe made with more than ten plants
Created in 1906 in Hendaye by botanist and pharmacist Joseph Grattau, IZARRA means “star” in Basque.
Over time, this liqueur has become a symbol of the Basque Country and one of France’s great herbal liqueurs.
Its identity is built on a recipe featuring more than ten plants and spices, processed by maceration and distillation.
IZARRA Vert, an intense, herbal Basque liqueur
The liqueur IZARRA Vert is made from a distillate of several plants and spices, complemented by a double maceration of walnut husks and prunes.
After distillation in a copper still, Armagnac Clés des Ducs, the brand’s long-standing supplier, is added to the distillate.
This recipe delivers a powerful herbal signature that is particularly well suited to mixology.
IZARRA Vert can be enjoyed neat, over ice or in cocktails such as the Mojito Basque, where it replaces rum alongside fresh mint, lime, VEDRENNE Cane Sugar Syrup and sparkling water.
IZARRA Jaune, plants, spices and honey from the Basque Country
IZARRA Jaune is made by distilling several plants and spices. Its final blend includes honey, added after the different macerations in alcohol and Armagnac.
Since 2023, the brand has used acacia honey from the Basque Country and worked with a local beekeeper who has been based there for more than thirty years.
Milder, this expression highlights the aromatic richness of the plants, accompanied by honey notes. It is equally suited to enjoying over ice or mixing into cocktails.
IZARRA 48, a powerful expression for sipping and mixology
The liqueur IZARRA 48 builds on the botanical signature of IZARRA Vert with greater aromatic intensity.
The addition of cognac gives it depth and a long finish, while mandarin alcoholate adds a fresh finishing note.
Powerful and structured, this 48% liqueur is for lovers of distinctive spirits, whether enjoyed as a digestif or in a cocktail.
Which herbal liqueur should you choose?
The choice depends above all on the flavors you’re looking for:
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for a fresh, herbal expression of verbena: Verveine du Velay Verte PAGÈS;
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for a milder version: Verveine du Velay Jaune PAGÈS;
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for greater roundness and depth: Verveine du Velay Extra PAGÈS, blended with cognac;
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for a milder version to enjoy as an aperitif: Petite Verveine du Velay PAGÈS;
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for an organic recipe with fresh, lemony notes: Liqueur de Verveine Bio Les Jardins de PAGÈS;
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for the freshness of mint and herbal notes that are both smooth and intense: Liqueur de Menthe Poivrée PAGÈS;
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for an intense, herbal Basque liqueur: IZARRA Vert;
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for a milder expression with honey notes: IZARRA Jaune;
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for greater intensity and a lovely fruity finish: IZARRA 48.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health; drink in moderation.
And what about an alcohol-free alternative?
Herbal flavors are also available alcohol-free. PAGÈS Verbena Syrup offers another way to enjoy this iconic plant.
Diluted with still or sparkling water, it makes a refreshing drink with ease. It can also be used in lemonades, iced teas or mocktails to add verbena’s characteristic flavor.
From Auvergne to the Basque Country: expertise and iconic plants
From Auvergne to the Basque Country, discover the VEDRENNE Group’s herbal liqueurs and the French expertise that brings the iconic flavors of these regions to life.
Discover: PAGÈS herbal liqueurs and IZARRA, as well as our cocktail recipes.
