Cristal is considered the National drink of its native land, trucked in from Colombia’s sugarcane fields then mixed with anise. Distillation converts the sugar to alcohol, with most about 60 proof, adding more sugar to give it its trademark sweetness. Industria Licorera de Caldas blends its alcohol with the purest water coming from the Nevado del Ruiz and the best natural anise essence from Europe, then delicately enhanced with notes of fennel.