Brandy: For an extra depth of flavor, try Metaxa or strongly flavored brandy (like cherry brandy) with ouzo and vodka or tsipouro. Required fields are marked *. Unlike vodka, it as a very strong taste, so it doesn’t make for a great mixer. Spain’s Chinchón is an anise liqueur produced in Chinchón near Madrid. Ouzo 12, Metaxa Ouzo, or Plomari Ouzo? There is an aftertaste here that I wasn’t too keen on when I first tried it, but having been brought up drinking Karonis, which is completely different, it was to be expected. Popular brands of ouzo today include Metaxa, Ouzo 12, Pilavas, and Barbayannis. Title says it all...I live in a US locality where my only ouzo choices are the three listed, and I don't know which one is the best...I need some on short notice, so "lol get some Mini shipped from Greece" isn't an acceptable answer. Ouzo is very strong; drinking it on an empty stomach isn’t a good idea. Both Pernod and Ricard, now jointly owned by Pernod Ricard, produce distinctive pastis labels. If you’re not used to Ouzo and want to start, you might consider picking up a bottle of Ouzo 12 to get yourself acquainted with the strong spirit before you try any other types.
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(Anise and star anise, while similarly named and flavored, are actually completely different plants.
Where to Find Ouzo in Greece. Of course, it really comes down to personal preference. Metaxa is a blend of spirits from different years, in the same way that sherry is a blend, and so the youngest spirit in 12-Star has been aged for at least twelve years. Ouzo is very cheap in Greece, but if you order in a bar that tourists frequent and in a city that is big on tourists then you can expect to pay a little more. Pitsiladi .
There are some ways to get more variety out of this drink though.
Like its other anise-flavored brethren, arak is best enjoyed diluted and chilled. I dont really like the ouzo 12, i would go for the plomari.
Metaxa is a wine that takes tradition very seriously. These include: This recipe may differ slightly depending on the brand and you will notice that there is a distinct flavoring in all of them. Metaxa also owns the Ouzo 12 brand, which is huge in Greece, so they didn’t see any point in competing with themselves. This is said to be the reason why one community of 14th century monks decided to spice the drink up by adding anise, thus creating ouzo.
Ouzo is produced in dozens of local distilleries across the country and as well as being sold cheaply within Greece, it’s also shipped far and wide. Title says it all...I live in a US locality where my only ouzo choices are the three listed, and I don't know which one is the best...I need some on short notice, so "lol get some Mini shipped from Greece" isn't an acceptable answer. You can secure a full sized bottle for less than €10 and there are smaller bottles as well if you want something that can easily fit into your suitcase. That's what I would get. This is a common way to enjoy the drink over ice, usually alongside a meze platter or meal. It is a strong, clear spirit typically 40% in volume. Hope it works out well!
Do sip it slowly. It’s very enjoyable and makes for a great summer tipple. Geographic Denomination of Chinchón was recognized in 1989. They make 12 million bottles a year, across all their expressions. They also have some quality Mastika, so be sure to pickup a bottle of that as well. This is still a great ouzo though and it’s also widely available as an import. Although this used to be a big hit in Greece, the increased exportation of it and commercialization seems to have changed the taste to fit the palates of those outside of Greece. In 2006, ouzo received Protected Designation of Origin from the E.U., meaning it can only be ouzo if it’s made in Greece, where it’s been produced since 1856. Below is a guide to the world’s most well-known anise spirits and liqueurs, including ouzo, sambuca, pastis, and the lesser-known-to-us raki, arak, and Chinchón. You may recall ouzo being cloudy and white, rather than clear — this is called the louche effect, or “the ouzo effect,” and occurs when the spirit is mixed with water. Karonis Ouzo is not as widely available as Ouzo 12 outside of Greece, but it’s very cheap and common in Greece and if you have the chance to pickup a few bottles I would definitely recommend it. Ouzo, the anise spirit of Greece, is an assertively licorice-flavored clear spirit that hangs around the 40 percent ABV range (by law, it has to be at least 37.5 percent ABV, or 75 proof). Luxardo, the famous Maraschino makers, also produce a popular sambuca, as does Antica. Every ingredient used is completely natural and organic; no chemicals are used in the process at all. Ask Adam: Is Dark Rosé Sweeter Than Light Rosé? Your email address will not be published. The more expensive brands are still quite cheap here, typically on par with 5 star Metaxa.
Sambuca (Italy) Sambuca is synonymous with Molinari in many Italian households. © 2014 - 2020 VinePair Inc. — Made In NYC, Next Round Live: What's Happening in the Drinks Industry Now, The Best Pairing for Aged Wine Is Already in Your Glass, Here’s Why Shiraz Is the Most Popular Red Wine in Australia, Consumers Are Still Trading Up on Wine in the Covid Era, but the Wins Are Uneven, AleSmith Brewing Company's Vicky and Peter Zien 'Pay It Forward' Through Philanthropy, Personnel, and Pints. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Greek and Mediterranean Recipes, Cocktails and Nutrition. Anise spirits of similar makeup and ritual exist throughout the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. 5 star Metaxa is now sub labelled 'The Greek Spirit' as only France is allowed to use the word Brandy! A sub dedicated to the open discussion of alcohol in its many forms. Yet, absinthe is far from the only anise-flavored spirit. Close. But, I can vouch for Metaxa being good.
From the Middle East to the Mediterranean, as well as central Europe, nations around the world make anise spirits and liqueurs, each similar yet simultaneously celebrated for their distinct cultural significance. Sambuca is the sweetened anise-flavored liqueur of Italy, served neat or with water. Popular brands of ouzo today include Metaxa, Ouzo 12, Pilavas, and Barbayannis. !, but are you sure that is not what you meant.
A more potent option is Lebanon’s arak, also seen as “arrack” throughout the Middle East. Credit: Molinari Sambuca / … Each cask contains 3500 litres. All the Anise Spirits That Aren’t Absinthe, Explained | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/anise-spirits-absinthe-guide/, wbs_cat Spirit, wbs_type Arak, wbs_type Ouzo, wbs_type Pastis, wbs_type Raki, wbs_type Sambuca, wbs_brand Chinchón, wbs_brand González Byass, wbs_brand Luxardo, wbs_brand Molinari, wbs_brand Pernod Ricard, absinthe, anise spirits, arak, chinchon, liqueur, ouzo, pastis, raki, sambuca, The Best Pairing for Aged Wine Is Already in Your Glass | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/best-pairing-aged-wine/, wbs_cat Wine, aged wine, food pairing, vintage, Wine, wine pairing. We go deep down into the cellar and see the huge casks of maturing Metaxa. Sambuca reportedly gets its name from the Latin word sambucus, meaning “elderberry,” and has no relation to the Italian town of the same name. Ouzo is best drunk straight.