In Greece, the best-known traditional liquor is ouzo, is usually used in celebrations and meetings, and has a Museum own in the Lesbos Island
The Ouzo It is traditionally distilled in copper stills and flavored with anise. Other spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, fennel, mint and mastic can also be used in a distiller's recipe.
Greek law states that the finished spirit must contain no less than 20 percent of the original ouzo yeast and will be bottled at a minimum of 37.5 percent alcohol by volume ABV, 75 proof. While that seems mild compared to high-proof whiskeys and rums, ouzo is powerful and fiery.
It is traditionally distilled in copper stills and flavored with anise.
This white liquor is taken as appetizer. It is, without a doubt, the most traditional and well-known liquor in Greece, and has a Own museum on the Island of Lesbos, which prides itself on being the center of ouzo production, accounting for half of the country's ouzo from 17 distilleries.
Recipes for distilling ouzo can be similar, although most are closely guarded family secrets. It was first distilled commercially in 1856. It largely reached its peak in the early 19th century after Greek independence.
It has its own Museum on the Island of Lesvos, which is proud to be the center of ouzo production, representing half of the country's ouzo from 17 distilleries.
The first ouzo distillery was founded in Tyrnavos in 1856 by Nikolaos Katsaros, giving birth to the famous ouzo Tyrnavou. When absinthe fell out of favor in the early 20th century, ouzo was one of the products whose popularity rose to fill the void; It was once called "a wormwood-free absinthe substitute." In 1932, ouzo producers developed a distillation method using copper stills that is now the standard production method.
In 2006, the Greek government won exclusive rights to use the ouzo product name. It is protected by a designation PGI Protected Geographical Indication and one DOP Protected Designation of Origin recognized by the European Union.
How to drink ouzo?
The ouzo It is usually served neat, without ice, and often in a tall, thin glass called kanoakia similar to a tall glass. Greeks may add ice water to dilute the concentration, causing the liquid to turn opaque milky white.
"The ouzo effect" It is due to anise oils and is similar to louche. If you add ice directly, it will create unsightly crystals on the surface of your drink.
Greeks may add ice water to dilute the concentration, causing the liquid to turn opaque milky white.
If you want to mask the flavor, add water, lemon juice, mint leaves, and honey to make ouzo lemonade. In other parts of the world, it is sometimes used as a cocktail mixer or as a substitute for other anise-flavored liqueurs.
A jealously guarded recipe
Each person who makes Ouzo jealously guards their recipe, like a treasure, and the large Ouzo producing companies do the same. In this way, there are different flavors despite being the same drink and being made, surely, with the same ingredients. However, for those of us who are not used to drinking this liquor, it is not easy to appreciate the subtle differences.
Each person who makes Ouzo jealously guards their recipe, like a treasure, and the large Ouzo producing companies do the same.
The selection of anise is very important in the production of Ouzo and the harvest of the plant is carried out in a very traditional way, by hand and with special care. In many restaurants it is a kind gesture to offer it as a house invitation.
Ouzo drinks to discover the secrets of Greece
Ouzo is an aniseed liquor that is part of Greek culture, but it can not only be consumed alone, with ice or water. Let's look at these cocktail proposals:
Recipe #1 Long Drink
A delicious combination of ingredients that will enhance the flavors, its freshness will catch you and make it one of your favorite drinks.
Ingredients
- 2 parts ouzo
- 1 part vodka
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2/3 parts soda
- Orange juice
- 1 slice of orange
- Ice
Preparation mode
- Place ice in a tall glass
- Add the ouzo, vodka, sugar and soda
- Stir gently
- Add the orange juice
- Garnish with an orange slice
Recipe #2 Ouzo Ouzotini
Refreshing drink that will fill your palate with flavor, a unique and special recipe that will undoubtedly leave everyone breathless.
Ingredients
- 1 part ouzo
- 1/2 part vodka
- 1 part pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Ice
Preparation mode
- Place the ice in a shaker along with the ouzo, vodka, pineapple juice, lemon juice and sugar.
- Shake vigorously for a few seconds
- Strain and serve in a martini-style glass.
Recipe #3 Sexy Greek
A fascinating combination ideal for those lovers of the anise flavor and the freshness of orange, a drink that invites you to continue drinking.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 parts ouzo
- Natural orange juice
- Ice
- 1 slice of orange
Preparation mode
- Place ice in a tall glass
- Add the ouzo and fill until full with the orange juice
- Decorate with the orange slice
Recipe #4 Raspberry Ouzo Slush
A fascinating drink, its flavor and combination achieve the perfect point to sweeten your palate.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- 3 peaches cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons ouzo
- 3/4 cups lemonade
- 2 mint leaves
- Ice
Preparation mode
- Place the ice in a blender glass along with the raspberries, peaches and lemonade.
- Blend for a few seconds to integrate all the ingredients and obtain a homogeneous mixture.
- Serve in a glass
- Add the ouzo
- Decorate with two mint leaves