liqueuranise liqueur

Ouzo

Ouzo is the national spirit of Greece, with origins tracing to the tsipouro distilling tradition of Mount Athos monasteries in the 14th century, where monks infused grape pomace spirits with anise and herbs. The modern ouzo industry consolidated in the 19th century in Lesvos and Tirnavos, where commercial distilleries like Plomari (founded 1894) established the style's definitive character. Ouzo was granted Protected Designation of Origin status by the European Union in 1989, confirming it as exclusively a Greek product.

Flavor Profile

Ouzo's dominant aromatic compound, anethole, delivers a clean, sweet anise character that is more transparent and directly herby than the more complex pastis — think star anise liqueur rather than layered herbal blend. Quality ouzo shows floral and citrus undertones beneath the anise, with Lesvos styles tending toward a particularly refined, almost fennel-like delicacy. The spirit displays the characteristic louche (clouding) when water or ice is added, as anethole comes out of solution.

Key Producers

other

Ouzo 12

Metaxa Ouzo

Plomari

Under EU regulation 110/2008 and Greek Presidential Decree 243/1988, ouzo must be produced exclusively in Greece, made from a base of rectified spirit or grape marc spirit, flavored by redistillation with anise and other herbs, and bottled at a minimum of 37.5% ABV. At least 20% of the final volume must come from redistilled spirit (not blended flavoring), and the product cannot be produced outside Greek territory under the PDO designation.