Ouzo is the national drink of Greece, and with good reason. It is a liquor made from the must of grapes and flavored with anise, coriander, and multiple other seasonings. If you’re new to Ouzo, you’re in for a real treat.
However, the unique flavors of Ouzo can make it challenging to create cocktails. Although it’s perfect for sipping straight like a good whiskey, Ouzo can be an excellent mixer. Here are some of the best Ouzo cocktails to help you mix your new Greek spirit.
One of the classic uses for Ouzo is an ouzo lemonade. The spicy, tangy flavors of the Ouzo work exceptionally well with the sweetness and tartness of the regular lemonade, so spiking a little lemonade is a perfect choice with your leftover ouzo. You can use lemon juice and honey for a truly Greek treat.
If you like to add a little pizzazz to coffee, you might consider putting some ouzo in your evening cup (or morning cup - we won't judge). However, you can take spiked coffee up a notch by making the "Bold Greek" - a coffee and ouzo cocktail with fennel syrup and full of delicious flavors.
If you’re looking for something sweeter, that's totally understandable. Even Ouzo, a spicy and strong drink, can be paired with some sweet ingredients. "Bee my Ouzo" has lemon juice, honey, pineapple juice, and sparkling wine to even out the flavors. This recipe makes a delicious, sweet spritzer perfect for a Greek brunch party.
A traditional mojito is not very sweet, but this ouzo and blackberry mojito involves homemade blackberry syrup to add some natural sweetness. However, it's a little more difficult to make, the combination of the anise-flavored Ouzo and the sweetness of the blackberry.
"Sex on the Greek" is a play on sex on the beach, one of the most popular tropical cocktails of all time. However, this one adds a bit of Greek spice by using Ouzo instead of rum. The traditional sweetness is still there, and the fruity notes come through strongly, with a touch of anise and spices to follow it up.
For one of the simplest Ouzo recipes available, this ouzo mint spritzer is perfect for a group. You can use a whole bottle to create the spritzer and infuse it with lemon for the perfect light spritzer to start your evening. The flavors of the Ouzo are spread throughout, making it a delightful (and light) drink.
Martinis come in all shapes and sizes, so it shouldn't surprise you that there's an ouzotini (ouzo martini) on this list. Pineapple juice and vodka have a surprising amount of sweetness to go along with the classic ouzo flavor.
Named for the Greek god of the sun, the Apollo Cooler will feel like a cool breeze on a hot, sunny Greek day. With lemon juice and ginger ale, it’s a delicious drink perfect for any summer party, whether inside or outside of Greece.
If you like strong, bold flavors, you probably already love both Ouzo and grapefruit. However, have you ever considered trying them together? This take on the classic cocktail involves grapefruit juice, grapefruit vodka, and club soda for a punchy, strong, sparkling ouzo cocktail. It's perfect for an evening party!
A mojito is a minty lime drink traditionally made with white rum. In this recipe, however, the rum has been switched for Ouzo to make a punchier, spicier version of the traditional mojito. If you're looking for a way to incorporate mint and give your Ouzo a more licorice flavor, this recipe will do the trick!
Cheers!
Ouzo is a unique spirit and makes even more unique cocktails. If you tried one of these ouzo cocktails and loved it, let us know in the comments below. Even better, please tell us if we missed an ouzo cocktail or if there’s another type of cocktail we should try! Happy drinking!
10 Ouzo Cocktail Recipes
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pick your favorite recipe
- Gather all the needed ingredients
- Prep a tasty cocktail in less than 5 minutes
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