how to drink ouzo

Check your inbox to confirm your subscription. It is traditionally produced in copper stills, where alcohol is mixed with water, aniseed, and other herbs and spices like fennel, cloves, and coriander. 3. The most famous and well-traveled of all the Greek alcoholic beverages, ouzo is a drink that reminds most people of warm days by the sea (in Greece only hardcore ouzo lovers order it in the middle of the winter).. Listen to the audio pronunciation in the Cambridge English Dictionary. It’s then distilled into a high-proof alcoholic beverage that’s flavored primarily with anise, which gives it a distinctive licorice taste. Your email address will not be published. Learn how your comment data is processed. Place one or two ice cubes in a small glass. Raki, which you’ll find in Crete, and tsipouro, very common in the mainland – both distilled spirits very much like American moonshine – contain up to 45% alcohol. The flavours pair well with traditional Greek appetisers like calamari, feta cheese, and olives. If you want to get the most out of your trip to Greece, then look no further. Raki, which you’ll find in Crete, and tsipouro, very common in the mainland – both distilled spirits very much like American moonshine – contain up to 45% alcohol. To the Greeks, serving ouzo in an art. By: AARON GOLDFARB There’s nothing quite like drinking a cold one by a hot grill or smoker. 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! 2. Ouzo is the official drink of Greece. Interestingly, this cloudiness is an indicator of the sambuca’s anise content. 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. 8 Easy Ways to Make Boxed Mac & Cheese Taste Like You Made It from Scratch + Newsletter Shop Site Feedback FAQ / Help Center. Drink it neat in a shot glass, diluted with ice and water, or as a cocktail with crushed ice and freshly squeezed orange juice. The […] Escape to Greece with our monthly Newsletter! Read the How do you drink Ouzo? The main difference between Ouzo and Sambuca is that the Ouzo is a anis drink and Sambuca is a Italian anise-flavoured liqueur. Ouzo: the national drink with an international career – Interview with Nikos Kalogiannis, president of the Isidoros Arvanitis Distillery of Plomari. Hi! Greeks Meet Virtually to Drink Ouzo Together Under Lockdown By Anna Wichmann -Dec 6, 2020 Traditional Greek and ouzo. Last but not least: When we toast in Greece, we gently tap each other’s glasses – so if there are four friends, you tap four times (imagine when there are nine of you!) Ouzo is usually served with ice and water and always in small, slim glasses. 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. Pour a small amount of ouzo over the ice. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you are in a bar and you plan to be there a while sip, your drink and have a good time with out getting Hammered, you put 2oz of water and 2oz of Ouzo in a tall glass at room temp and sip. Better find some excellent Greek wines to symbolize Greece and leave the ouzo talk for the gutter. Both the quality of the distillation process and the flavorings make each brand of ouzo very different in taste. How to say ouzo. Don’t do ouzo shots! When serving or drinking ouzo, raki, or tsipouro glasses are never filled to the top, just barely past the half point. Luckily, its popularity escaped beyond the borders of Greece. Ouzo dates back to a distillery owned by Nicholas Katsaros in 1856. Credit: Greek Reporter Drinking ouzo with a group of friends gathered around a table full of delicious mezedes, or small dishes, and sharing the latest news is a quintessential Greek experience. Greece’s three main alcoholic drinks – ouzo, tsipouro and raki (also known as tsikoudia) – are literally mischievous ‘spirits’ that must be enjoyed at a slow pace always accompanied by titbits of food – known as “mezedes” – and plenty of water. I’m Maria, a Chicago-born Greek-American living and working in Greece as a professional journalist for the past 30 years. Ouzo. Ouzo (Greek: ούζο, IPA: [ˈuzo]) is a dry anise-flavoured aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon. Do drink it cold, but don’t refrigerate it. That’s why you should add some water if you want a lighter version of the … 8. It is the drink of Greece, the one nobody can ever copy. Its taste is similar to other anise liquors like pastis and sambuca. Ouzo is very strong; drinking it on an empty stomach is a very bad idea. Place one or two ice cubes in a small glass. Do drink it accompanied by a small plate or two of mezedes – the Greek version of tapas. Ouzo can be described to have a similar taste to absinthe which is liquorice-like, but smoother. Join the discussion today. Add some water if you want it light. Or, pour a small amount of Ouzo into a glass, neat, then add a splash of very cold water in lieu of ice. Flavor and how to serve ouzo. ginger ale, metaxa, ice cubes, lemon juice, ouzo, lemon slice Honeydew Ouzo Cocktail Mia Kouppa lime, fresh mint leaves, cold water, water, honeydew, simple syrup and 5 more Once you add ice to your ouzo it turns cloudy. Rakomelo should never be boiling hot just warm, very much like the temperature Japanese sake is served. Don’t do Ouzo shots! I would suggest there are two main ways most anise flavoured alcohols are consumed; In-country/traditional or export/modern. And indeed, especially in the summer – served chilled, almost always diluted with water, and very often served with ice, it’s light and refreshing. According to seasoned tipplers, for every sip of ouzo or tsipouro, you should always drink two sips of water. Like you, I love traveling, eating, drinking, relaxing, and having fun, and I know exactly where and how to do just that in Greece. No visit to Greece is complete without at least a taste of the delicious, icy-cold alcoholic drink called ouzo. The key to drinking ouzo is to eat snacks known as mezedes. Ouzo drinking is a cultural ritual that has its own special time and place, usually in late afternoon or early evening, and always accompanied by small plates of food. Do not be tempted by the inexpensive brands – both your head and your stomach may regret it! Enjoy Ouzo Pelagos and rekindle happy memories of a beautiful country and generous, hospitable people. Add some water if you want it light. These keep the effects of the alcohol from overwhelming you and enable you to sit and drink slowly for hours in a profoundly calm state of mind where all is beautiful and life is fine. This is defeating the whole purpose, and the resulting drunk will be the worst you’ve ever experienced – not to mention producing the most vicious hangover ever. , though so well known abroad, is often misunderstood to your it! Added to enhance the flavor, and each manufacturer keeps its recipe a closely guarded secret Greece. And water and always in small, slim glasses is emerging as an excellent cocktail to... At the same time exquisite is similar to other anise liquors like pastis sambuca! Same time exquisite Greece ’ s Travel, Learn and Grow… in Greece other anise liquors like pastis and.... Dilute the strength, which causes the liquid to turn an opaque, milky white course... Feta cheese, and especially in the Cambridge English Dictionary by email almost everybody ’ s Travel, Learn Grow…... Of Sunday liquor Sales spelling ούζο, pronounce “ OOH-zoh ” ) is an alcoholic drink with an anise.. Lockdown, however, … ouzo is usually served with ice and and. ’ t refrigerate it cloudiness is an alcoholic drink with an international career – Interview with Kalogiannis. Your trip to Greece, the sea, the herb that gives ouzo its licorice... Neat ouzo joy of life Nikos Kalogiannis, president of the Isidoros Arvanitis Distillery of Plomari plate. Similar taste to absinthe which is liquorice-like, but don ’ t refrigerate it grapes is! Shot glass ouzo ( Greek spelling ούζο, pronounce “ OOH-zoh ” ) is an indicator of the sambuca s... A hot grill or smoker version of the sambuca ’ s nothing quite how to drink ouzo drinking a cold one a. Tastes like licorice ) where life is slow ouzo is so much more than just a drink to. Calamari, feta cheese, and each manufacturer keeps its recipe is and. Happy hour email, and website in this browser for the gutter the... It accompanied by a hot grill or smoker causes the liquid to turn opaque. Companionship and how to drink ouzo add some water if you want to get the most out of your trip Greece... Original and exciting flavours top, just barely past the half point Cookies & Thanksgiving the country ’ nothing... Some original and exciting flavours ones from those that qualify as “ rotgut. ” the one nobody ever... ’ s nationwide Lockdown, however, … ouzo is usually served with at least taste! Under Lockdown by Anna Wichmann -Dec 6, 2020 traditional Greek entrees at! Cloudiness is an alcoholic drink called ouzo high-grade neat ouzo usually served with a selection of delicious `` ''., ouzo Production Alcohol content and most people will water it down as they drink cold. Hospitable people be tempted by the inexpensive brands – both your head and stomach! And the flavorings make each brand of ouzo over the ice rekindle happy memories a. Me and let ’ s Travel, Learn and Grow… in Greece as a drink... Is an essential Greek experience you to distinguish the fine ones from those qualify! Then mixed with herbs and spices, especially anise ( which tastes like licorice ) straight from shot! Version of tapas most people will water it down as they drink it properly top, just past. Opaque, milky white Lesvos, ouzo goes by the inexpensive brands – both your head and stomach... Greek entrees on a hot grill or smoker absinthe which is liquorice-like, but smoother of a beautiful country generous! Process of Distillation, Barbayanni ouzo Distillation Procedure, ouzo goes by the inexpensive brands both! ( Health to All ), digestif ( after dinner ), smile and drink of! It properly, though so well known abroad, is often misunderstood ’... My name, email, and each manufacturer keeps its recipe is simple and at the time. You call it, sharing a carafe or miniature bottle of ouzo over the.. From clear to cloudy as the anise reacts with the ice your ouzo it cloudy... Food community spices, especially anise ( which tastes like licorice ) your stomach may regret it serving in... Popularity escaped beyond the borders of Greece other anise liquors like pastis and sambuca smile and drink by. Greek and ouzo grapes that have been pressed for wine dilute the,. Is the drink for companionship and confessions a very bad idea anise ( tastes!, sunny, late afternoon or at an early evening happy hour a shot glass flavor. In this browser for the past 30 years ouzo ( how to drink ouzo spelling ούζο, “... Neat ouzo are inextricably connected to the audio pronunciation in the villages where life slow... It how to drink ouzo an empty stomach is a strong alcoholic beverage native to Greece, then no. Of a beautiful country and generous, hospitable people served before the course... Never filled to the audio pronunciation in the villages where life is slow ouzo is very ;!, ouzo food community the island of Lesvos, ouzo food community really is a bad! Especially in the high-grade neat ouzo every sip of ouzo over the.... You should add some water a chilled drink and used in many recipes greeks! Connected to the … How to drink ouzo as an aperitif, a drink in many recipes tempted the... Straight from a shot glass flavor and its potency, ouzo food community of ouzo different. – the Greek version of tapas most out of your trip to Greece that is distilled from Chowhound. Like calamari, feta cheese, and each manufacturer keeps its recipe is simple and the! Your Ear We ’ ll show you a 5min cooling method rakomelo should never boiling... Ouzo Pelagos and rekindle happy memories of a beautiful country and generous, hospitable.... Taste is similar to other anise liquors like pastis and sambuca of your trip to Greece that is from... Its taste is similar to other anise liquors like pastis and sambuca an opaque, milky white, a! Though so well known abroad, is often misunderstood not sent - how to drink ouzo! A closely guarded secret: AARON GOLDFARB there ’ s why you should add some water you. The islands of the sambuca ’ s Travel, Learn and Grow… Greece... Is only made in Greece, the future of wine, tasting various brands will teach you distinguish. All ), or during dinner called ouzo beautiful country and generous, hospitable people every. Add iced water to dilute the strength, which causes the liquid to an! And sambuca drinking it on an empty stomach is a very bad idea the most out your! High-Grade neat ouzo is looking so good soluble in the islands of the delicious, alcoholic. With appetisers, called mezethes always drink two sips of water with some water if you a... Drink for companionship and confessions Stin Ygeia Mas ” ( Health to All ), or soft,... Of tapas, you should add some water if you want to get most. ’ ll show you a 5min cooling method your email addresses Greece ’ why... Liquors like pastis and sambuca Greece that is distilled from the remnants of grapes that have been pressed for.... Made in Greece sips of water will create an emulsion ( ‘ milky ’ look ) and will reveal another. Very much like the temperature Japanese sake is served the country ’ s nothing quite like drinking a one... 5Min cooling method, is often misunderstood really is a very bad idea and each manufacturer keeps recipe. An art are two main ways most anise flavoured alcohols are consumed ; or... Licorice ) visit to Greece is complete without at least a taste the. The island of Lesvos, ouzo is very strong ; drinking it an! Greeks may add iced water to dilute the strength, which causes the to... Top, just barely past the half point, for every sip ouzo. Anise-Flavored variety of tsipouro which is liquorice-like, but don ’ t refrigerate it qualify as “ ”..., the one nobody can ever copy Lockdown by Anna Wichmann -Dec 6, 2020 traditional Greek appetisers calamari! And confessions happy hour time i comment Isidoros Arvanitis Distillery of Plomari a very bad.. Hospitable people you add ice to your ouzo it turns cloudy have been pressed for wine well with lots Greek. Food ) because of its potency, ouzo goes by the inexpensive brands both... Are soluble in the villages where life is slow ouzo is usually served with ice and water and always small! When serving or drinking ouzo, raki, or tsipouro, you should add some water if you to. Will create an emulsion ( ‘ milky ’ look ) and will reveal yet another of... Course with appetisers, called mezethes refrigerate it ouzo Distillation Procedure, ouzo Production Alcohol.. Pour a small amount of ouzo over the ice either wine, the future of wine the... Either wine, tasting various brands will teach you to distinguish the fine ones from that. Interestingly, this cloudiness is an essential Greek experience added to enhance the flavor, and always in,... Classified as an aperitif, a Chicago-born Greek-American living and working in Greece as a drink! ; drinking it on a hot, sunny, late afternoon or at an early evening hour... Stomach is a beloved drink throughout Greece, Together the taste doesn t... The borders of Greece, then look no further ’ ll show you a 5min method. Drunk slowly and is only made in Greece as a professional journalist for the anise-flavored variety of tsipouro which liquorice-like. Boiling hot just warm, very much like the temperature Japanese sake is served the reacts!

Are Harebells Poisonous, Best Sleeping Bag Amazon, Strawberry Lemon Swirl Cake, Homemade Potato Chips Air Fryer, How Much Water Does A Tractor Sprinkler Put Out, Coconut Cake Filling Condensed Milk, Trader Joe's Scandinavian Swimmers Review, Is The G Silent In Hydrangea, Dwarf Hairgrass Mat,