It doesn't HAVE to have the pernod, it just makes it scream anise at you. I love the statement it
makes but you could just increase the anise seed.
If you hate Pernod, you probably don't have it in your liquor cabinet. Otherwise, I'd say try 1/2 T. of it.
And, my husband used to add the tiniest drop of Pernod to my martinis, so I do like it.