Ouzo is a celebration drink, a drink to relax with after work, and Greek households usually offer it as aperitif with mezethes, the Greek version of the appetizer platter. Greeks drink ouzo very much like Russian’s drink vodka.

How Ouzo is Made

Ouzo gets its high alcoholic content from the process by which it is made. By the time, it is ready for consumption; the alcohol content is around 80 proof or 40% pure alcohol. Ouzo is made from balanced blend of ingredients. The base is alcohol from the fermentation of grape skins. This liquid alcohol is then mixed with a variety of pungent herbs, which often include star anise, coriander, cloves, licorice, mint, fennel, and angelica root. The exact mixture of herbs varies by distillers as they create their own exclusive labels. This bold combination of alcohol and herbs is then processed in a copper still until the flavors are completely blended into the bold flavored drink we call ouzo. 

Best Served

The way most Greeks drink ouzo is to use water as a mixer. Some Greeks add about 1 tsp to a shot glass before adding ouzo, while others place an ice cube in the glass and then pour ouzo onto of it. Both methods will result in the ouzo turning a cloudy white. This does not mean the beverage has been ruined, but rather it is the appearance of the herb oils, used in flavoring ouzo, which crystallize at the lowered alcohol content. This chemical reaction does not detract from the ouzo’s flavor.

Ouzo Cocktails

Ouzo is a great mixer. It is used in a variety of fun and interesting cocktails. Because of its high alcohol content, it packs quite a kick. Some cocktails made with ouzo are often a mixture of sweet and sour to counter act the Ouzo’s sharp anise flavor. The Twister Shooter is a combination of ouzo, vodka, and cherry brandy. While the Star Trek inspired Vulcan Mind Probe lives up to its name as it combines rum with Greece’s number one adult beverage. The vodka and orange juice Screw Driver gets a Greek twist with ouzo in a drink called a Greek Tiger. 

What To Eat With Ouzo

When serving ouzo it is important to serve food with it. The alcohol content of the drink is intense and food slows down the absorption of the alcohol into the blood stream. The Greek loved their guests to be relaxed in their homes but not intoxicated. 

Mezethes can be served hot or cold. Usually cold mezethes are served when company visits unexpectedly or in the summer, while hot mezethes are normally for special visits or in cooler seasons.

Some popular cold mezethes include fresh fruit, baked bread or flatbread, the Greek version of caviar called Taramosalata, a variety of Greek cheese, Kalamata olives, and sliced vegetables such cucumbers and tomatoes. 

Hot mezethes are often paired with cold mezethes to fill out a table. Some hot mezethes include the Greek version of French Fried potatoes, Marithes which is fried smelt,  Greek cheese pie called Tyropitakia , and small  Souvlaki skewers.

Sources:

Business File: Special Survey of the Greek beverages industry

http://www.invgr.com/bf_no_57.htm

Ouzo Cocktail Recipes

From Nancy Gaifyllia, for About.com

http://greekfood.about.com/od/tipsnutritionmenus/a/ouzoparty_3.htm

What to Serve with Ouzo: Mezethes

http://greekfood.about.com/od/tipsnutritionmenus/a/ouzoparty_2.htm

Recipes for ouzo cocktails  Ouzo Cocktail Recipe

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