Ouzo is meant to be savoured; the ritual of Ouzo and mezedes is meant to be relaxing, and the process should be enjoyed for two hours or more. Don’t drink Ouzo as an aperitif (before dinner), digestif (after dinner), or during dinner. The taste doesn’t complement traditional Greek entrees.
When should I drink ouzo in Greece?
Ouzo drinking is a cultural ritual that has its own special time and place, usually in late afternoon or early evening, and always accompanied by small plates of food.
How do Greek people drink ouzo?
Ouzo is customarily served neat, without ice, and often in a tall, skinny glass called a kanoakia (similar to a highball glass). Greeks may add iced water to dilute the strength, which causes the liquid to turn an opaque, milky white.
Can you get drunk with ouzo?
Ouzo is associated with sunburnt flesh, Demis Roussos and carnage on the streets of Malia. It has a reputation for causing a particularly intense kind of drunkenness, but this is only because it’s usually taken when the imbibers are already extremely drunk.
What does ouzo mean in Greek?
to smell
Scholars believe the name ouzo comes from the ancient Greek verb “to smell,” or “ozo.” Another hypothesis is that the word “ouzo” comes from the Turkish word üzüm ‘grape’, while others say it can be traced back to a story about a Turkish consulate physician in Thessaly in the 18th century who tasted the local raki and
What do you say when you drink ouzo?
Take home a bottle of ouzo and say, “Ya mas” with a glass of the national drink of Greece on ice!
Does ouzo give you a hangover?
Kabarnos real traditional distilled ouzo has no side effects (besides drunkeness) and will not cause a hangover because there is no sugar added and the other ingredients which give each ouzo its distinct flavor, is cooked rather then just added to the mixture.
Is ouzo a strong alcohol?
Ouzo is clear in color but does turn slightly cloudy (often described as “milky-white”) when water is added. It also has a relatively high alcohol content of somewhere between 37.5 (the mandatory ABV to call it an “ouzo” in Greece) and 50%.
What is the national drink of Greece?
Ouzo
Ouzo. Ouzo is considered the national drink of Greece. In technical terms, it is either produced by partial distillation or the admixture of plain alcohol with aromatic herbs.
What is better ouzo or sambuca?
The main difference between spirit ouzo and sambuca is that ouzo is a Greek spirit with an aniseed flavor. On the other hand, sambuca is an Italian liqueur with an aniseed flavor. Ouzo is an aperitif spirit, whereas sambuca is a digestif drink.
What do you eat with ouzo?
Ouzo’s singular, almost aggressive taste, demands equivalent accompaniments, which are also simple, everyday foods: salted sardines, anchovies, preserved tuna (known as lakerda) and any salted or smoked fish or seafood; also fried zucchini and eggplant strips, and classic garlicky tzatziki.
What does Greek ouzo taste like?
Ouzo is an anise-flavored liqueur meaning that it tastes a lot like black licorice. In that way, it’s somewhat similar to Sambuca.
What do they do shots of In My Big Fat Greek Wedding?
You might have seen the infamous drinking scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where the protagonist’s decidedly non-Greek in-laws get drunk on a few shots of warm ouzo.
Why does ouzo turn white?
When the water is poured into the ouzo, it goes cloudy. The more cloudy, the better the ouzo is said to be. The white stuff is a precipitate that comes out of solution when the water is added. Ouzo is made by taking neat alcohol and flavouring it with aniseed and other aromatic herbs.
Do you put ice in ouzo?
Most Greeks drink ouzo with ice cubes. But experts claim that ice (unless it’s from distilled water and so crystal-clear) alters the composition of ouzo and so recommend using cold water instead. Either way, first bring the glass of ouzo to your nose and then taste it neat to fully appreciate the aromatic complexity.
Can you get ouzo in America?
In many states, you can buy ouzo at: Wine and Liquor Shops: In most states, wine and liquor shops are the best places to buy ouzo. Here, you’ll generally find the best alcohol selection. Warehouse Clubs: If your state allows warehouse clubs to sell liquor, then these bulk stores can be smart places to stock up on ouzo.
Why do Greek say OPA?
It (OPA) literally means “to jump” and it’s used in many ways to say “bravo”, “WoW”, “all right” or in today’s lingo, “You Go”! When a Greek says OPA, they are usually dispensing complements, admiring your zest for life, your dancing or drinking prowess or showing their admiration of a performance.
What does it mean when Greeks say OPA?
It is frequently used during celebrations such as weddings or traditional dancing. In Greek culture, the expression sometimes accompanies the act of plate smashing. It can also be used to express enthusiasm, shock or surprise, or just after having made a mistake.
What liquor is illegal in the US?
In the U.S., absinthe alcohol is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and the reason it was banned for so long has to do with one particular ingredient. Absinthe contains thujone, a chemical found in several edible plants — including tarragon, sage, and wormwood.
What type of alcohol is ouzo?
liqueur
Ouzo, Greece’s national spirit, is a clear colored liqueur made from grape must (unfermented juice remnants pressed from grapes for winemaking) and has a very strong anise taste. Along with anise, ouzo may contain other spices like fennel, cinnamon, or cardamom.
Does ouzo refrigerate?
Do drink it cold, but don’t refrigerate it. Place one or two ice cubes in a small glass. Pour a small amount of Ouzo over the ice. The Ouzo will turn from clear to cloudy as the anise reacts with the ice.