For me, the very name Ouzo conjures up images of sun-kissed Greek islands, the gentle lapping of the Aegean Sea, and the friendliness of Mediterranean tavernas.
An anise-dominant spirit, the history of Ouzo has been at the heart of Greek celebrations for centuries. Beyond the traditional ‘on the rocks’ or ‘with a splash of water’, Ouzo cocktails are well worth discovering.
12 Best Ouzo Cocktails
I’ve selected the best Ouzo cocktails that showcase this anise-flavoured spirit and its distinctive liquorice taste.
1. Ouzo Lemonade
Overview
A classic Ouzo cocktail that I find as refreshing as a Mediterranean breeze, Ouzo Lemonade is the epitome of simplicity meeting flavour.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ouzo
- 4 oz fresh lemonade
- Sprig of mint for garnish
Quick Method
Mix a quality Ouzo and lemonade in a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Beach lounger optional!
2. Ouzo Sunrise
Overview
A revamp of the Tequila Sunrise, enjoy the hues of a Grecian dawn; the Ouzo Sunrise is a delightful fusion of Ouzo with the sweetness of grenadine.
Love Tequila? Check out my perfect Margarita recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ouzo
- 4 oz fresh orange juice
- 1 oz grenadine
Quick Method
Pour the Ouzo and orange juice into a tall glass filled with ice. Then, slowly add grenadine so it can slowly settle to the bottom.
3. Ouzo Mojito
Overview
A Cuban classic with a Greek twist, the Ouzo Mojito is where the coolness of mint and lime meets the warmth of the Mediterranean. Here is my regular Mojito recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ouzo
- 10 fresh mint leaves
- 1 oz lime juice
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Soda water
Quick Method
Pop the mint leaves, lime juice, and sugar into a tall ice-filled glass. Add the Ouzo and top with soda water. Simple!
4. Ouzo Pomegranate Spritz
Overview
The Ouzo Pomegranate Spritz is an irresistible blend that captures the essence of Greek festivities. The tang of pomegranate meets the anise-allure of Ouzo.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ouzo
- 3 oz pomegranate juice
- Soda water
Quick Method
Mix Ouzo (or try Pastis) and pomegranate juice in a glass filled with ice. Top with soda water.
5. Ouzo Iced Coffee
Overview
The Ouzo Iced Coffee is a midday pick-me-up for those who love a caffeine kick with their spirits. I never realised how well anise and coffee go together.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Ouzo
- 5 oz cold brewed coffee
- 1 oz simple syrup
Quick Method
Gently stir all ingredients in a glass filled with ice.
6. Ouzo Basil Smash
Overview
A herbaceous delight that’s as refreshing as a Mykonos breeze, this cocktail is where basil’s green freshness meets Ouzo’s anise depth.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ouzo
- 5 fresh basil leaves
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
Quick Method
Muddle basil leaves in a shaker. Add Ouzo (or you can try Raki), lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake and strain into a glass. Enjoy!
7. Ouzo Apple Fizz
Overview
I love this crisp and effervescent delight; the Ouzo Apple Fizz cocktail is reminiscent of orchards bathed in the Grecian sun and is so simple to make.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ouzo
- 4 oz fresh apple juice
- Soda water
Quick Method
Pour the Ouzo and apple juice into an ice-filled glass, then top with soda water and garnish with a slice of apple.
8. Ouzo Berry Bliss
Overview
The Ouzo Berry Bliss is a fruity concoction perfect for balmy evenings; this Ouzo cocktail is a dance of berries under the Athenian moon.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ouzo
- 3 oz mixed berry puree
- 1 oz lemon juice
- Berries for garnish
Quick Method
Mix the ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, shake, and strain into a rock glass. Garnish with a handful of berries. Swap out Ouso for Sambuka for an Italian touch.
9. Ouzo Ginger Zing
Overview
The Ouzo Ginger Zing is a spicy and refreshing cocktail; it’s where a welcoming kick of ginger meets the liquorice-sweetness of Ouzo.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ouzo
- 4 oz ginger beer
- 0.5 oz lime juice
Quick Method
Pour the Ouzo and lime juice into a glass filled with ice and garnish. Top up with ginger beer, and use a lime wheel for garnish.
10. Ouzo Cucumber Cooler
Overview
Ah, the Ouzo Cucumber Cooler is an Ouzo cocktail that’s as cool as a cucumber; this blend is where the freshness of cucumber meets the warmth of Ouzo.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Ouzo
- 3 slices of cucumber
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1 oz lime juice
Quick Method
Add cucumber slices, Ouzo, simple syrup, and lime juice in a shaker. Shake well and strain into a glass. Serve & enjoy!
11. Ouzo Tropical Punch
Overview
Ouzo Tropical Punch is a holiday vibe delight that transports you to the beaches of the Aegean; this Ouzo cocktail is a sun-soaked dream. Also, try a piña colada.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Ouzo
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz coconut milk
- 0.5 oz lime juice
Quick Method
Add the ingredients into an ice-filled shaker, shake and carefully strain into a tall glass. Garnish with a chunk of pineapple or mango.
12. Ouzo Cream Delight
Review
A dessert cocktail that’s rich, indulgent, and… as Barney Stinson would say… LEGEND-(I hope you are not lactose intolerant)-DAIRY.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Ouzo
- 1 oz coffee liqueur
- 2 oz cream
Quick Method
Pop the ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, shake, then strain into a Martini glass.
Balancing Flavors With Ouzo
Ouzo’s dominant aniseed profile can be both a challenge and an opportunity. It demands a deep understanding of ingredients that can complement its robust character.
Citrus notes, herbal undertones, and tropical fruits can be paired with Ouzo, but the key lies in the proportions.
I find that too much of one ingredient can overshadow Ouzo’s essence, while too little can make the drink taste lifeless.
Ouzo & Greek Food Pairings
Here are 10 traditional Greek dishes that pair well with Ouzo.
| No. | Food | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grilled octopus | Grilled octopus is a classic Greek dish that is perfectly complemented by the anise-liquorice flavour of ouzo. |
| 2 | Saganaki | Saganaki is a fried cheese dish with a salty, creamy flavour that is a great match for the sweetness of ouzo. |
| 3 | Mussels in ouzo sauce | A flavorful dish that is perfect for a light meal, as the briny taste of the mussels is enhanced by the anise notes of ouzo. |
| 4 | Calamari | The salty flavours of calamari pair well with the strong taste of ouzo. |
| 5 | Feta cheese | The anise flavour of ouzo cuts through the richness of feta cheese and adds a touch of complexity. |
| 6 | Taramosalata | The briny flavour of taramosalata (fish roe) is a great match for the anise notes of ouzo. |
| 7 | Meze | There are many different types of meze; Ouzo works best with grilled meats, seafood, and cheeses. |
| 8 | Souvlaki | Souvlaki is a grilled skewered meat dish with a smoky flavour of the meat and is a great match for the anise notes of ouzo. |
| 9 | Pastitsio | Pastitsio is a Greek lasagna dish made with pasta, béchamel sauce, and ground beef, balanced by the anise notes of ouzo. |
| 10 | Baklava | Baklava is a sweet pastry that is made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and honey, offering a nice contrast to the anise notes of ouzo. |
Conclusion
Ouzo cocktails stand alone in the vast world of spirits and cocktails with unique anise-liquorice flavour and subtle sweetness that complement many fruitier ingredients.
As with any cocktail, the quality of the leading spirit is vital, so check out my complementing article: 10 Best Ouzo Brands: The Anise Effect.
I’m sure these 12 best Ouzo cocktails will delight drinkers who fancy something a little different.
References
| wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouzo |
| tsantali.com/ouzo-and-food/ |
| discovergreece.com/ouzo |
| greekcitytimes.com/dos-and-donts-of-drinking-ouzo/ |
| greecetravelmag.com/greek-ouzo-appetizers-a-flavourful-ritual |
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from The Drinks Geek blog. We write articles on several fascinating areas of drinks, including different brands, drink types, cocktail recipes and more.
