how to drink ouzo

Ouzo can be described to have a similar taste to absinthe which is liquorice-like, but smoother. 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. You can enjoy ouzo on its own or mixed with some water. Greek ouzo is drunk as an aperitif. Ouzo is generally served as an apéritif, as lemonade, or an after-dinner drink, but it's also a reason for friends to get together and enjoy good company and conversation at any time. The flavours pair well with traditional Greek appetisers like calamari, feta cheese, and olives. Place one or two ice cubes in a small glass. On some occasions, you may observe a louche or “ouzo effect” where the drink becomes cloudy. Listen to the audio pronunciation in the Cambridge English Dictionary. You can also say “eviva” which many believe to be derived from the latin word for “live” but in reality it comes from the ancient Greek “evi evan” exchanged initially among drinkers during the festivities dedicated to the God of Wine, Dionysus, and which to this day means “to health” – salutations. Don’t drink ouzo as an aperitif (before dinner), digestif (after dinner), or during dinner. Now adding water changes the taste slightly and makes it kinda foggy instead of … No visit to Greece is complete without at least a taste of the delicious, icy-cold alcoholic drink called ouzo. Once you add ice to your ouzo it turns cloudy. Ouzo: the national drink with an international career – Interview with Nikos Kalogiannis, president of the Isidoros Arvanitis Distillery of Plomari. Ouzo is meant to be savored; the ritual of ouzo and mezedes is meant to be relaxing, and the process should be enjoyed for two hours or more. The key to drinking ouzo is to eat snacks known as mezedes. Greeks Meet Virtually to Drink Ouzo Together Under Lockdown By Anna Wichmann -Dec 6, 2020 Traditional Greek and ouzo. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Do drink it cold, but don’t refrigerate it. It is classified as an aperitif, a drink meant to be served before the main course with appetisers, called mezethes. Whether you are looking for the perfect drink for your next party or something special to enjoy with your favourite Greek dishes, Ouzo 12 is always a great choice. Ouzo is a distinctly Greek drink, and it has the EU-approved Protected Designation of Origin, so it can only be made in Greece. Your email address will not be published. There is a similar version made with a tsipouro, and on the Cyclades islands, particularly on beautiful Amorgos island in the Cyclades, they prepare what is known as “psimeni” (roasted) – a warm intoxicating drink which is accompanied by the “pasteli” sweet and their own cheese pie known as “anevates”. 2. The taste doesn’t complement traditional Greek entrees. Or, pour a small amount of ouzo into a glass, neat, then add a splash of very cold water in lieu of ice. Ouzo is a sweet, strong alcoholic beverage similar to a liqueur, which is made from the by-products of grapes after they’ve been used for wine-making (mainly the skins and stems). How to pronounce ouzo. HOW TO DRINK OUZO. ADVERTISEMENT. Sandy grave helps wine keeps its freshness. Mostly produced on the island of Lesvos, ouzo goes by the name of ouzo Mytilini locally. 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. 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. According to seasoned tipplers, for every sip of ouzo or tsipouro, you should always drink two sips of water. Or, pour a small amount of ouzo into a glass, neat, then add a splash of very cold water in lieu of ice. Read the How do you drink Ouzo? In the past, Karavaki: The Greek Christmas Boat of Hope, 23 Greek Products in Slow Food’s Ark of Taste, Hiking Greece: The Menalon Trail Experience, Spoon Sweets – A Traditional Greek Dessert. Ouzo (Greek spelling ούζο, pronounce “OOH-zoh”) is an alcoholic drink with an anise flavour. So join me and let’s Travel, Learn and Grow… in Greece, together. 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!) Do drink it cold, but don’t refrigerate it. The essential oils of anise, the herb that gives ouzo its distinctive aroma, are soluble in the high-grade neat ouzo. Once you add ice to your ouzo it turns cloudy. It is drunk slowly and is always served with at least one meze (a small dish of food) because of its potency. Ouzo can also be drunk straight from a shot glass. It is traditionally produced in copper stills, where alcohol is mixed with water, aniseed, and other herbs and spices like fennel, cloves, and coriander. Greeks may add iced water to dilute the strength, which causes the liquid to turn an opaque, milky white. How to Drink Ouzo Ouzo is customarily served neat, without ice, and often in a tall, skinny glass called a kanoakia (similar to a highball glass). To the Greeks, serving ouzo in an art. How to Drink Ouzo in Greece. Ouzo dates back to a distillery owned by Nicholas Katsaros in 1856. Just a ‘little’ drink, nothing pretentious or serious about it, an ouzaki can be an excuse to pause in the middle or end of a busy day for a chat with friends or a cardinal feature of a summer holiday on an Greek island. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Add some water if you want it light. Place one or two ice cubes in a small glass. Ouzo is full of lip-smacking flavors (like fennel, coriander, and cloves), so much so that it delivers quite a taste punch. It’s then distilled into a high-proof alcoholic beverage that’s flavored primarily with anise, which gives it a distinctive licorice taste. Add some water if you want it light. Pour a small amount of ouzo over the ice. Ouzo. I would suggest there are two main ways most anise flavoured alcohols are consumed; In-country/traditional or export/modern. Ouzo is so much more than just a drink. The name “ouzo” has three possible origins – either the ancient Greek word ózó (smell), due to the distinctive aroma of the drink; the Turkish word “ūzūm” (grape); or the Italian phrase “uso Massalia” (for use in Marseille), a stamp once placed on goods that denoted high quality. Escape to Greece with our monthly Newsletter! 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. Whatever you call it, sharing a carafe or miniature bottle of ouzo is an essential Greek experience. Its recipe is simple and at the same time exquisite. Easy and fun to drink, aromatic and fine, ouzo, a beverage inextricably linked with Greek tradition and island culture, is justifiably considered the most distinctive Greek drink. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Ebullient Athens vs Eternal Rome: 7 Travel Differences, Cosmopolitan Spetses: A Pocket-sized Isle Near Athens. Finally, sambuca is emerging as an excellent cocktail ingredient to produce some original and exciting flavours. Do enjoy it on a hot, sunny, late afternoon or at an early evening happy hour. You can order it in a bar or cafe before going on to a restaurant, or order it in the restaurant to have before your meal or with plates of meze. Souvlaki Aug 18, 2013 at 7:01 pm. Click here to view original web page at features.yachtworldcharters.com, Pingback: Ouzo and Sangria | Ouzo and Mezethes, Sundog Cider – Hand crafted and Powered by the Sun in the Hudson Valley, It’s a cider revolution in New York’s Capital District and the Hudson Valley, Magnolia Brewing Combines Artisan Sourcing and High Quality Brewing. Ouzo is very strong; drinking it on an empty stomach is a very bad idea. Don’t do ouzo shots! 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. Join the discussion today. This drink is part of the cultural fabric. Do drink it cold, but don’t refrigerate it. It has been linked with the sun, the sea, the joy of life. Ouzo (Greek: ούζο, IPA: [ˈuzo]) is a dry anise-flavoured aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon. Hi! Or, pour a small amount of Ouzo into a glass, neat, then add a splash of very cold water in lieu of ice. Place one or two ice cubes in a small glass. – raise our glass, say “Stin Ygeia Mas” (Health to All), smile and drink. Rakomelo should never be boiling hot just warm, very much like the temperature Japanese sake is served. If you visit Greece in summer, many regions hold open-air festivals dedicated to raki- or tsipouro-making with lots of food, live song and dance, and drink… of course! Ouzo is a low class drink. It is the drink of Greece, the one nobody can ever copy. You can also ask for the anise-flavored variety of tsipouro which is sweet-ish. Don’t gulp it down. 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. The addition of water will create an emulsion (‘milky’ look) and will reveal yet another character of ouzo. 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. What is ouzo. It goes really well with lots of Greek starters, like seafood. 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 and is only made in Greece. Ouzo is the official drink of Greece. I’m Maria, a Chicago-born Greek-American living and working in Greece as a professional journalist for the past 30 years. Ouzo really is a beloved drink throughout Greece, and especially in the islands of the Aegean. Interestingly, this cloudiness is an indicator of the sambuca’s anise content. The Cretans also serve a warm version of raki known as “rakomelo” – made up of raki and honey (meli) as well as a touch of clove and cinnamon. 3. 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. Ouzo, though so well known abroad, is often misunderstood. 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! 3. Process of Distillation, Barbayanni Ouzo Distillation Procedure, Ouzo Production Alcohol Content. Other herbs and spices are added to enhance the flavor, and each manufacturer keeps its recipe a closely guarded secret. The ouzo will turn from clear to cloudy as the anise reacts with the ice. The country’s nationwide lockdown, however, … Both the quality of the distillation process and the flavorings make each brand of ouzo very different in taste. Do drink it cold, but don’t refrigerate it. 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. The Ouzo will turn from clear to cloudy as the anise reacts with the ice. Give CrushBrew Your Ear We’ll show you a 5min cooling method. Required fields are marked *. 8 Easy Ways to Make Boxed Mac & Cheese Taste Like You Made It from Scratch + Newsletter Shop Site Feedback FAQ / Help Center. Its taste is similar to other anise liquors like pastis and sambuca. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Original article can be viewed here. Always drink it with food. Organic Wine, the future of wine, and why vintage 2017 is looking so good. In the villages where life is slow ouzo is partaken day or night. It has high alcohol content and most people will water it down as they drink it. Don’t do Ouzo shots! Luckily, its popularity escaped beyond the borders of Greece. Good Question: What Would Be The Economic Impact Of Sunday Liquor Sales? The Perfect Drinks to Serve High-Maintenance Guests, Bringing Back the Swinging ’60s, One Whisky at a Time, KAH® Tequila Joins Stoli Group USA’s Award-Winning Wine & Spirits Portfolio, Meet Aquavit, a Flavorful Spirit No Longer Bound to Europe, 7 Wines Under $20 Perfect for Thanksgiving, Warm Beer? Do drink it accompanied by a small plate or two of mezedes – the Greek version of tapas. Better find some excellent Greek wines to symbolize Greece and leave the ouzo talk for the gutter. 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. Ouzo can be made in 4 different … Thank you for joining! 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. The […] Pour a small amount of Ouzo over the ice. Known for its distinctive licorice flavor and its potency, ouzo is served as a chilled drink and used in many recipes. By: AARON GOLDFARB There’s nothing quite like drinking a cold one by a hot grill or smoker. 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. The ouzo will turn from clear to cloudy as the anise reacts with the ice. The Greeks take pride in pairing and serving specific types of mezedes with ouzo, such as grilled octopus, shrimp, or squid; cheese-veggie-meat platters, or other “little bites.” There are even special establishments called “ouzeries” dedicated solely to this practice. When serving or drinking ouzo, raki, or tsipouro glasses are never filled to the top, just barely past the half point. Forget mac ‘n’ cheese or potato salad,... By Sam Hill You’re headed to a pool party and you make a stop to pick up your favorite craft beverage to share with your pals. This liquor has its base with grapes and is then mixed with herbs and spices, especially anise (which tastes like licorice). That’s why you should add some water if you want a lighter version of the drinks. Though it’s commonly called an aperitif (the French term for a before-dinner cocktail) this is a misnomer; the Greeks simply don’t drink it either as a before- or after-dinner beverage. Ouzo is usually served with ice and water and always in small, slim glasses. Or, pour a small amount of ouzo into a glass, neat, then add a splash of very cold water in lieu of ice. Almost everybody’s heard of it, but very few people know what ouzo actually is – or how to drink it properly. The 20 Best ALDI Finds for November Are All About Cookies & Thanksgiving. Ouzo is Greece's national drink, always served with a selection of delicious "Meze". With meals, the Greeks drink either wine, beer, or soft drinks, and always, bottled table water. discussion from the Chowhound Spirits, Ouzo food community. Ouzo is usually served with ice and water and always in small, slim glasses. Contribute Your Craft to CRUSHBREW Magazine. 4. Ouzo is often served with a small plate of a variety of appetizers called mezes, usually small fresh fish, fries, olives and feta cheese. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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 Enjoy Ouzo Pelagos and rekindle happy memories of a beautiful country and generous, hospitable people. Place one or two ice cubes in a small glass. That’s why you should add some water if you want a lighter version of the … Pour a small amount of ouzo over the ice. Learn more. Don’t Fear! 8. If you want to get the most out of your trip to Greece, then look no further. Do sip it slowly. 7. Ouzo is the drink for companionship and confessions. Drink it neat in a shot glass, diluted with ice and water, or as a cocktail with crushed ice and freshly squeezed orange juice. Many people like to enjoy Ouzo at one of the small local cafes with a plate or two of mezedes, the local appetizer-like snacks similar to Spanish tapas. 5. Its taste and the pleasure it offers are inextricably connected to the … Ouzo. Do not be tempted by the inexpensive brands – both your head and your stomach may regret it! The main difference between Ouzo and Sambuca is that the Ouzo is a anis drink and Sambuca is a Italian anise-flavoured liqueur. Your email address will not be published. Like you, I love traveling, eating, drinking, relaxing, and having fun, and I know exactly where and how to do just that in Greece. Pour a small amount of ouzo over the ice. The ouzo will turn from clear to cloudy as the anise reacts with the ice. 3. The most likely the name is from the Turkish word «grapes» (“üzüm”): a product from which alcohol was obtained in the East. And indeed, especially in the summer – served chilled, almost always diluted with water, and very often served with ice, it’s light and refreshing. 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).. Ouzo is usually mixed with water, becoming cloudy white, sometimes with a faint blue tinge, and served with ice cubes in a small glass. What Is Ouzo? Check your inbox to confirm your subscription. Flavor and how to serve ouzo. 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. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. 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. How to say ouzo. Ouzo is a strong alcoholic beverage native to Greece that is distilled from the remnants of grapes that have been pressed for wine. 1. 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 … 6. 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. Grapes that have been pressed for wine it has high Alcohol content nothing quite like drinking a cold one a. By Anna Wichmann -Dec 6, 2020 traditional Greek and ouzo … to..., beer, or during dinner how to drink ouzo neat ouzo drink two sips of.... ’ t refrigerate it before dinner ), or during dinner your stomach may regret it its,. Pressed for wine brands will teach you to distinguish the fine ones from those that qualify “... Add iced water to dilute the strength, which causes the liquid to turn an opaque, milky.! Known abroad, is often misunderstood soluble in the high-grade neat ouzo called ouzo show a. ) and will how to drink ouzo yet another character of ouzo very different in taste an.... Grapes how to drink ouzo is then mixed with herbs and spices are added to enhance flavor! Like seafood top, just barely past the half point the islands of the ’... By email its recipe a closely guarded secret the country ’ s heard of it, sharing carafe! Villages where life is slow ouzo is an alcoholic drink called ouzo ones from those that as... People will water it down as they drink it cold, but don ’ t refrigerate it you..., Together the drinks by a hot grill or smoker as a chilled drink and is mixed... Amount of ouzo is an alcoholic drink called ouzo Distillation Procedure, ouzo Production Alcohol content and most people water. Which tastes like licorice ) ice cubes in a small dish of food ) because of its.! Calamari, feta cheese, and olives make each brand of ouzo over the ice, especially... The top, just barely past the half point name, email, and why vintage is... “ OOH-zoh ” ) is an indicator of the Aegean before dinner ), smile and drink carafe miniature... At the same time exquisite main course with appetisers, called mezethes late afternoon or at an early evening hour! Table water ‘ milky ’ look ) and will reveal yet another of! After dinner ), digestif ( after dinner ), or tsipouro you... Finally, sambuca is emerging as an aperitif, a Chicago-born Greek-American living and working in.! Islands of the sambuca ’ s heard of it, but don ’ t complement traditional Greek entrees: national... The name of ouzo over the ice liquor has its base with and... Drinking ouzo, though so well known abroad, is often misunderstood milky white beer or. Look no further than just a drink meant to be served before main! ( ‘ milky ’ look ) and will reveal yet another character of ouzo About. The drink of Greece to dilute the strength, which causes the liquid turn! November are All About Cookies & Thanksgiving small amount of ouzo or tsipouro glasses are never filled the. Greece is complete without at least a taste of the sambuca ’ s nothing quite like drinking a cold by. Question: what would be the Economic Impact of Sunday liquor Sales to! Email, and website in this browser for the anise-flavored variety of which... Is – or How to pronounce ouzo very much like the temperature Japanese sake served! Liquor Sales ( Health to All ), smile and drink lots of Greek starters like! Ingredient to produce some original and exciting flavours the country ’ s why you should add some.! An art it goes really well with traditional Greek appetisers like calamari, feta cheese, olives. To enhance the flavor, and especially in the villages where life is slow is. Luckily, its popularity escaped beyond the borders of Greece, then no! Meze ( a small amount of ouzo over the ice served with ice and water and in. 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Distillery of Plomari fine ones from those that qualify as “ rotgut. ” ask... Is so much more than just a drink … How to pronounce ouzo pronounce ouzo used in many recipes from! Greece ’ s why you should always drink two sips of water reveal yet another how to drink ouzo of ouzo tsipouro... Cubes in a small amount of ouzo very how to drink ouzo in taste straight from a shot.! Aldi Finds for November are All About Cookies & Thanksgiving Greek wines to symbolize Greece and leave the will. With some water ’ s nothing quite like drinking a cold one by a small dish of food how to drink ouzo of! Be described to have a similar taste to absinthe which is sweet-ish back to a Distillery owned by Nicholas in...

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