Ouzo Greek spirit

Ouzo - original Greek.

Ouzo is one of the best-known Greek spirits. The oldest ouzo distillery in Greece - and thus the oldest ouzo distillery in the world - is that of Katsaros, where the first ouzo is said to have been distilled around 1856. Today ouzo is named with a protected designation of origin recognized by the EU and so ouzo spirits may only be produced in Greece. The ingredients contained therein are also precisely regulated. Ouzo is made from pure alcohol and the nobler varieties are distilled twice and sometimes stored for a certain period of time. Even if coriander and mastic are often used as aromatic herbs, aniseed is a typical "trademark" for a wide variety of ouzo varieties.

In Greece, ouzo is usually not drunk ice-cold and is served as a drink with appetizers or small dishes. (mezedes)