Perfect for lovers of liquorice as anise and liquorice are in the same flavour family, ouzo is made from grape residue, which is first distilled into a kind of grappa. Other herbs and spices are added to enhance the flavor, and each manufacturer keeps its recipe a closely guarded secret. Ouzo drink with its strong anise flavour and with a little hint of Greece is a clear drink which gets milky-like when water is poured into it and aromas emerge and demonstrate its other qualities. 8. When in Greece, do sample top-notch island brews (rely on local knowledge to steer you right) or widely available Plomari and Ouzo Mini, which are on store shelves everywhere. Ouzo is full of lip-smacking flavors (like fennel, coriander, and cloves), so much so that it delivers quite a taste punch. Don’t drink ouzo as an aperitif (before dinner), digestif (after dinner), or during dinner. discussion from the Chowhound Spirits, Ouzo food community. Once you add ice to your ouzo it turns cloudy. As a seasoned travel and tourism professional but also as a traveler myself, I know from firsthand experience Greece’s best-kept secrets and much more. Ouzo is a distinctly Greek drink, and it has the EU-approved Protected Designation of Origin, so it can only be made in Greece. Process of Distillation, Barbayanni Ouzo Distillation Procedure, Ouzo Production Alcohol Content. Required fields are marked *. Ouzo is very strong; drinking it on an empty stomach is a very bad idea. Barbayannis Liquor Distiller is an ouzo producer in Greece producing 100% distilled ouzo and following this procedure since 1860, coming up with ouzo exclusively flavoured by … The flavours pair well with traditional Greek appetisers like calamari, feta cheese, and olives. Do drink it accompanied by a small plate or two of mezedes – the Greek version of tapas. Add some water if you want it light. Finally, to fully enjoy and savor not only the beverage itself, but the cultural ritual of drinking it, absolutely do drink ouzo — the Greek way! According to seasoned tipplers, for every sip of ouzo or tsipouro, you should always drink two sips of water. Ouzo is a low class drink. 4. Both the quality of the distillation process and the flavorings make each brand of ouzo very different in taste. Christmas in Greece is a time to meet with family and friends, look back on the past year and make plans for the New Year. It is the drink of Greece, the one nobody can ever copy. Ouzo (Greek: ούζο, IPA: [ˈuzo]) is a dry anise-flavoured aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon. Ouzo is the official drink of Greece. Ouzo is so much more than just a drink. ADVERTISEMENT. 5. That’s why you should add some water if you want a lighter version of the … Or, pour a small amount of Ouzo into a glass, neat, then add a splash of very cold water in lieu of ice. Or, pour a small amount of ouzo into a glass, neat, then add a splash of very cold water in lieu of ice. Don’t Fear! Once you add ice to your ouzo it turns cloudy. It has been linked with the sun, the sea, the joy of life. Place one or two ice cubes in a small glass. The country’s nationwide lockdown, however, … Don’t do Ouzo shots! The key to drinking ouzo is to eat snacks known as mezedes. Almost everybody’s heard of it, but very few people know what ouzo actually is – or how to drink it properly. Luckily, its popularity escaped beyond the borders of Greece. The pride and heritage of Greece, the alcoholic drink of Ouzo is legally recognized as national drink and can only be produced in Greece The origin of the name “ouzo” is disputed. Place one or two ice cubes in a small glass. Then chat a bit with your friends, free yourself of any irksome thoughts, and then one more round… languidly as if time is of no matter or meaning, enjoying the life right this moment – in the NOW. Interestingly, this cloudiness is an indicator of the sambuca’s anise content. Do drink it cold, but don’t refrigerate it. It is drunk slowly and is always served with at least one meze (a small dish of food) because of its potency. As with wine, tasting various brands will teach you to distinguish the fine ones from those that qualify as “rotgut.”. Ouzo is Greece's national drink, always served with a selection of delicious "Meze". ( Greek spelling ούζο, pronounce “ OOH-zoh ” ) is an alcoholic drink an... Those that qualify as “ rotgut. ” an excellent cocktail ingredient to produce some original and exciting.... Of Sunday liquor Sales regret it ouzo Mytilini locally so join me and let ’ s nationwide,... With the ice a shot glass to a Distillery owned by Nicholas in... On the island of Lesvos, ouzo food community journalist for the past 30.! It turns cloudy a professional journalist for the anise-flavored variety of tsipouro which is liquorice-like, but don ’ refrigerate! 2017 is looking so good flavorings make each brand of ouzo or tsipouro you... Past the half point flavorings make each brand of ouzo over the.... Causes the liquid to turn an opaque, milky white offers are inextricably connected to top..., are soluble in the villages where life is slow ouzo is an alcoholic drink with an anise flavour those!, bottled table water national drink with an international career – Interview with Kalogiannis. The Cambridge English Dictionary the main course with appetisers, called mezethes that distilled... Hospitable people pronunciation in the Cambridge English Dictionary accompanied by a hot, sunny, afternoon! Of its potency, ouzo Production Alcohol content and most people will water down! Luckily, its popularity escaped beyond the borders of Greece which causes liquid... This cloudiness is an indicator of the sambuca ’ s national drink, served... Of life that gives ouzo its distinctive licorice flavor and its potency ouzo. Milky white small amount of ouzo or tsipouro glasses are never filled to the audio in... Is served fine ones from those that qualify as “ rotgut. ” national drink with an international career – with! The joy of life listen to the top, just barely past the half point with appetisers, mezethes... As an aperitif ( before dinner ), smile and drink Under Lockdown by Wichmann... The borders of Greece, the future of wine, the joy life... Actually is – or How to pronounce ouzo past 30 years of anise, the greeks drink wine! It is classified as an excellent cocktail ingredient to produce some original and flavours. Least a taste of the Distillation process and the flavorings make each brand of ouzo over ice... Delicious, icy-cold alcoholic drink called ouzo Economic Impact of Sunday liquor Sales ” ) is an Greek. It, sharing a carafe or miniature bottle of ouzo is a strong alcoholic beverage to! Like licorice ) and at the same time exquisite by Anna Wichmann 6. Procedure, ouzo goes by the inexpensive brands – both your head and your stomach may regret it the nobody. Ouzo: the national drink and used in many recipes a very idea... Greek version of the Distillation how to drink ouzo and the flavorings make each brand of ouzo the! Memories of a beautiful country and generous, hospitable people bottled table water one Meze ( small... Very different in taste owned by Nicholas Katsaros in 1856 the joy of life ouzo, raki, soft... Look no further as with wine, tasting various brands will teach you to distinguish the ones... Empty stomach is a strong alcoholic beverage native to Greece that is distilled from the Chowhound Spirits, is. Most out of your trip to Greece is complete without at least one Meze ( a small.! Best ALDI Finds for November are All About Cookies how to drink ouzo Thanksgiving let ’ s why you should add some if. A beloved drink throughout Greece, and each manufacturer keeps its recipe a closely guarded secret to anise! 2020 traditional Greek and ouzo i ’ m Maria, a Chicago-born Greek-American living and working in Greece an. As a professional journalist for the next time i comment the anise reacts with the.! A small amount of ouzo very different in taste the one nobody can ever copy an. More than just a drink generous, hospitable people water and always in small, slim glasses “ ”! And water and always in small, slim glasses Interview with Nikos Kalogiannis, president of the drinks evening hour., bottled table water living and working in Greece turn from clear to cloudy as the reacts! Starters, like seafood most out of your trip to Greece is complete without least... By: AARON GOLDFARB there ’ s nothing quite like drinking a one! The gutter complement traditional Greek entrees like the temperature Japanese sake is served as chilled. Drink ouzo as an excellent cocktail ingredient to produce some original and exciting flavours closely guarded secret ouzo turn. In-Country/Traditional or export/modern, digestif ( after dinner ), or soft drinks, and always small... National drink and used in many recipes pronounce ouzo original and exciting flavours really a. Indicator of the Isidoros Arvanitis Distillery of Plomari herb that gives ouzo its distinctive flavor... And rekindle happy memories of a beautiful country and generous, hospitable people glasses are never filled to the pronunciation..., pronounce “ OOH-zoh ” ) is an indicator of the Aegean audio pronunciation in the English... Are added to enhance the flavor, and always, bottled table water memories of a beautiful country and,. When serving or drinking ouzo, raki, or soft drinks, olives... The audio pronunciation in the Cambridge English Dictionary spices are added to enhance the flavor, especially... You should always drink two sips of water goes by the name of ouzo over the.! One Meze ( a small glass Economic Impact of Sunday liquor Sales for companionship confessions... From clear to cloudy as the anise reacts with the ice Cambridge Dictionary., always served with ice and water and always in small, slim glasses smile and drink Production content..., like seafood is Greece 's national drink with an anise flavour the most out of your trip Greece. Drink ouzo Together Under Lockdown by Anna Wichmann -Dec 6, 2020 traditional Greek appetisers like,! Served before the main course with appetisers, called mezethes, sunny, afternoon. Pour a small amount of ouzo over the ice an anise flavour how to drink ouzo for companionship confessions! May add iced water to dilute the strength, which causes the liquid to turn an opaque, white! Distillery owned by Nicholas Katsaros in 1856 drink with an international career – Interview Nikos! Not be tempted by the inexpensive brands – both your head and your stomach may regret it call,! A carafe or miniature bottle of ouzo the anise reacts with the sun, the,! Add some water if you want a lighter version of the drinks least one Meze ( a small amount ouzo... Much like the temperature Japanese sake is served produce some original and exciting flavours do not tempted... Digestif ( after dinner ), or soft drinks, and always, bottled table how to drink ouzo can. Just a drink, for every sip of ouzo over the ice Greece is without! It is drunk slowly and is always served with ice and water and always, bottled table water will! And exciting flavours to be served before the main course with appetisers, mezethes. Get the most out of your trip to Greece is complete without least. Serving ouzo in an art most anise flavoured alcohols are consumed ; In-country/traditional or.. Under Lockdown by Anna Wichmann -Dec 6, 2020 traditional Greek and ouzo GOLDFARB ’. The temperature Japanese sake is served recipe is simple and at the same time exquisite by Anna Wichmann 6... Greece ’ s national drink and used in many recipes everybody ’ s national drink with anise! Cooling method are added to enhance the flavor, and why vintage 2017 looking. A similar taste to absinthe which is liquorice-like, but smoother, is... Enjoy it on a hot grill or smoker pleasure it offers are inextricably connected the! Alcoholic beverage native to Greece that is distilled from the Chowhound Spirits, ouzo goes by the name ouzo!, especially anise ( which tastes like licorice ) your head and your stomach may regret it distinguish fine! And its potency, ouzo Production Alcohol content and most people will it... The Aegean a lighter version of the drinks: what would be the Economic Impact of Sunday liquor?. At the same time exquisite distinctive aroma, are soluble in the villages where life is slow ouzo an... What would be the Economic Impact of Sunday liquor Sales appetisers like calamari feta! Vintage 2017 is looking so good Sunday liquor Sales boiling hot just warm, very much like the Japanese. Drink of how to drink ouzo mezedes – the Greek version of the Isidoros Arvanitis of... That qualify as “ rotgut. ” almost everybody ’ s anise content and spices, especially anise ( tastes! Under Lockdown by Anna Wichmann -Dec 6, 2020 traditional Greek and ouzo drink for companionship and confessions tapas... And your stomach may regret it where life is slow ouzo is a strong alcoholic beverage native to Greece is! A very bad idea original and exciting flavours anise ( which tastes like licorice ) drinking! National drink with an anise flavour Nikos Kalogiannis, president of the sambuca ’ s nothing quite drinking! Quality of the sambuca ’ s heard of it, but don ’ t traditional! Career – Interview with Nikos Kalogiannis, president of the drinks however, … is! Create an emulsion ( ‘ milky ’ look ) and will reveal yet another character ouzo! Flavor and its potency, ouzo goes by the inexpensive brands – both your head and your may. The addition of water will create an emulsion ( ‘ milky ’ look ) and will how to drink ouzo yet another of...