Greek Drinks To Try During Your Vacation In Greece (2023)

FAQs

Greek Drinks To Try During Your Vacation In Greece? ›

Ouzo

What is the most popular drink in Greece? While ouzo is considered the national drink of Greece, many other drinks are popular. A refreshing beer is common during summer, while wine and tsipouro, also called raki, are also consumed.

Rakomelo (Raki with honey) – A traditional Cretan beverage

One very similar beverage to mulled wine that originates from Greece is actually rakomelo from the island of Crete. It is made by combining raki or Tsipouro with honey and several spices, such as cinnamon and consumed during the winter as a warm drink.

Considered Greece's national spirit, ouzo (the anise-flavored liqueur) is a fairly boozy drink that is typically served neat in small skinny glasses. (Yes, it's the stuff you see in the infamous drinking scene in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where they raise their glasses and say OPA!)

Ouzo is a delicious anise-flavored drink from Greece. The spirit is generally consumed as an aperitif after dinner and undergoes a rigorous distillation process.

Ouzo. Ouzo is the national drink of Greece and undeniably one of the most famous Greek drinks. Distinctively tasting of liquorice, you will be offered an 'ouzaki' which is its affectionate name – similar to a 'wee dram' of whisky! Many people keep their ouzo in the freezer so that it is always cold.

Orangeade (portokalada) is one of the most available soft drinks around the country, produced by almost every brand in still and sparkling versions. Most of Greece drinks it sparkling, but not everywhere.

Ouzo: the king of Greek spirits

Ouzo is the spirit that has always been exclusive to Greeks. The white color of the anise, its distinctive aroma and strong flavor make it internationally recognizable and closely attached to Greece.

45mL gin. 15mL Mastiha. 15mL lime Juice. 15mL sugar syrup. 1 basil leaf (to garnish)

What is in a Greek spritz? ›

You know about Aperol spritz, but what about Greek spritz? It's based on Otto's Athens vermouth, masticha liqueur and pink grapefruit soda.

Spicy, light to medium-bodied reds are ideal with grilled and barbequed favourites like souvlaki or gyros. Pair with: Grenache and Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre (GSM). Alternative options: Pinot Noir, Nero d'Avola or Merlot.

Talk like an expert: Toasting is a big part of Greek drinking culture, but don't say “opa!” when you're served ouzo. Instead, say “yamas!” which more accurately means cheers (but literally translates to “health”).

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.

Anise's seeds delicate aroma will fill your nostrils and tickle your taste buds. Join your fellow diners and say 'stin iya mas' ('to our health', the Greek way of saying 'Cheers') as you clink glasses with them at the table. Feel your spirits rise as you sip your ouzo and your heart warms up in cheerful company.

Ouzo (Greek: ούζο, IPA: [ˈuzo]) is a dry anise-flavored aperitif that is widely consumed in Greece. It is made from rectified spirits that have undergone a process of distillation and flavoring. Its taste is similar to other anise liquors like pastis, sambuca, rakı and arak.

Mastiha has gone from a popular but humble liqueur, served after meals in tavernas, to a key ingredient of some of the best chefs and bartenders in Greece.

Greek coffee is typically served with a glass of cold water, much like the traditional coffee served in Czech coffee houses. It is also sometimes served with sweets such as cookies. Though it is traditionally served black, some young people prefer to order a "double" Greek coffee and add milk to taste.

GREEK LIGHTNING^™ CINNAMON HONEY LIQUEUR

is a sweet and stimulating beverage, traditional to Greece, and birthed by the heavens. Perfect for savoring, shooting and creating legendary cocktails. Each velvety sip will inspire you to indulge like the Gods, and live your own myth.

What is this? Most Greeks drink Ouzo in a tall, thin glass, with added ice and iced water. As soon as water is added, Ouzo becomes cloudy / milky white, the anise and other aromas are released, and the alcohol content decreases. This turns Ouzo into a long drink, that you can enjoy for hours.

Why does coke taste different in Greece? ›

It is possible for the same soft drink to vary slightly in taste due to other factors such as the temperature at which it is consumed, the foods with which it is consumed, or the conditions in which it is stored prior to consumption.

A typical Greek breakfast usually consists of a wide variety of bread, pastry, fruits, and Greek yogurt. These foods are high in nutritional value and a great source of energy — an excellent way to begin your Greek food adventures!

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.

The national drink of Greece is, of course, 'ouzo'! Ouzo is an alcoholic beverage with anise that is produced exclusively in Greece. Thanks to its essential oils of anise, anise, and fennel seeds, it creates a pleasant feeling of refreshment able to soothe even the hottest Greek summer.

Tentura is a rich, dark liquor originating from Patras, Greece. It is a combination of brandy, rum, herbs, and spices. You can find hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and citrus flavors incorporated into the drink. Tentura can be mixed in a cocktail or enjoyed neat over ice.

Is Greece strict on the drinking age? The official legal drinking age in Greece is 18 in public and you also have to be 18 to buy alcohol. In reality, these laws are not strictly enforced and in many tourist zones, they're not enforced at all.

In Greece, we make the same liqueur, which is called Liker Lemoniou (lemon liqueur) and is usually served as a greeting drink to guests, accompanied by a mini chocolate.

Metaxa is the quintessential Greek spirit. You would be hard-pressed to find a Greek restaurant that doesn't feature it on its drink menu. It's widely considered brandy.

Known more for wine and some underrated beers, as well as the exquisite brandy Metaxa, Greece has a whisky too.

The bride and groom will also share “the common cup” where they will take three sips of wine from the cup as the cup represents a successful and happy marriage . Traditionally, there are two readings that are presented during a Greek Orthodox wedding. The first one will be the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians.

Can you have ice in Greece? ›

Can I drink ice in Greece? Even though you can drink the water in Greece from the tap or bottle (depending on your location), Ice sometimes can be a bit of a risk everywhere. In some areas, the water can taste very salty so that will be the last thing you will want to be added to your drink.

Gelarte. The Gelarte Ice cream is a cafeteria located next to the Town Hall in Chora Mykonos and it is known for its delicious Italian ice creams. The dessert, commonly called gelato, is actually Italy's version of ice cream.

Case in point: the Amalfi Spritz, which combines easy-drinking Aperol with Prosecco, lime, and pineapple. It's the kind of drink that begs for a sunny patio, a pool, and maybe an umbrella. And considering its low-alcohol sensibilities, you can sip on this one all day long.

To Taste: The bittersweet orange and rich peach flavours of the Amalfi Spritz is like sunshine itself, bright, intense and the promise of good times. The fine bubble fills the palate with fresh orange complex rhubarb and elderflower perfectly to finish dry and deliciously refreshing. Classic orange-red in colour.

Best Way to Drink Mastika

Mastika liqueur is usually drunk at the end of a meal. It is enjoyed cold and neat. It is thought that mastika aids in digestion. Mastika is a sweet liqueur that has a flavor resembling herbs and pine.

The ancient drink known as kykeon was a popular beverage in ancient Greece that usually consisted of water and barley, along with honey, wine, cheese and herbs, depending on the recipe.

Soumada is a non-alcoholic, syrupy, almond-based beverage that is produced on the island of Crete. It is made with a mixture of fresh, locally-grown almonds, sugar, and water, which is simmered in sugar syrup to create this signature Cretan drink.

Tsipouro is a real Greek product closely related to the Greek lifestyle, hospitality and entertainment of the Greeks. The Cretan raki, originally called tsikoudia in Crete, is the same in production and taste as tsipouro, the pomace brandy known in Greece.

Greek Salad pairs best with crisp white wines with lots of acidity such as Sauvignon Blanc, Rueda, Pinot Grigio, Assyrtiko and Prosecco.

1. Do you put fried potatoes in your gyros? The simple answer is YES, because that is the tradi onal GREEK way to make a gyro wrap.

What is the difference between gyro and Greek gyro? ›

Traditional Greek gyro is made from pork, while the American version of the dish typically consists of lamb, beef, or a scrumptious assortment of the two. Both versions are then stuffed between two fluffy blankets of pita bread and topped with tomato, onion, and a yogurt sauce called tzatziki.

Ouzo is an alcoholic Greek drink made from wine-making grape remains distilled into a kind of grappa. This grappa is given an anise flavour in a second heating. The resulting drink is sweet and silky, with an alcohol percentage of around forty percent.

Ouzo is a clear liquid. However, when water or ice is added, ouzo turns a milky-white colour. This is because anethole, the essential oil of anise, is completely soluble in alcohol at approximately 38% ABV and above, but not in water.

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. They wake up the next day bruised and ashamed with a taste of aniseed in their mouths, and naturally they blame the ouzo.

Lesvos is one of the best islands for ouzo drinking and is home to many small, family-run ouzo companies. Talk like an expert: Toasting is a big part of Greek drinking culture, but don't say “opa!” when you're served ouzo. Instead, say “yamas!” which more accurately means cheers (but literally translates to “health”).

Do sip it slowly. Don't gulp it down. 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.

A typical Greek breakfast usually consists of a wide variety of bread, pastry, fruits, and Greek yogurt. These foods are high in nutritional value and a great source of energy — an excellent way to begin your Greek food adventures!

What time is dinner in Greece? In a country that never sleeps, no time is "too late" for dinner. You will find most eateries open until past 12 at midnight. Regardless, traditionally, dinner in Greek homes is served at around 8-9 pm.

Since the extraction of the flavour is done with almost pure alcohol, there are many compounds that can be forced out of solution when water is added. It makes sense that the better ouzos turn more milky, given that they contain more flavour components which had been originally extracted by the alcohol.

Why does ouzo make you so drunk? ›

The ouzo effect occurs when a strongly hydrophobic essential oil such as trans-anethole is dissolved in a water-miscible solvent, such as ethanol, and the concentration of ethanol is lowered by addition of small amounts of water.

Greeks like to cleanse their palates and ease their mind with some ouzo before a meal. Ouzo is an aperitif that is drunk before eating to prepare your taste buds and "open" the appetite. There's an art to enjoying the anis-flavored nation drink. Good ouzo is around 40% alcohol by volume and isn't made to be chugged.