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    Home » Recipes » Greek Drinks

    Greek booze: 5 Ouzo Cocktails You Need to Try

    Modified: Mar 14, 2025 by Makos

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Ouzo isn't just a drink-it's the spirit of Greece in a glass. But why stop at the classic sip when you can shake things up? These 5 simple but delicious Ouzo cocktails will bring a little Greek magic to your day.

    5 ouzo cocktails on a wooden surface.
    Jump to:
    • 🎥Ouzo Cocktails Video
    • 1. Greek Summer Breeze (Ouzo Lemonade)
    • 2. Mediterranean Sunrise
    • 3. Aegean Paradise
    • 4. Greek Sunset
    • 5. Ouzo Mastiha Fizz
    • 📖 Recipe

    The Greek way of drinking ouzo is with a splash of water and lots of ice, but there's a whole world of Greek-inspired cocktails waiting to be explored. If you love the bold, aromatic kick of this iconic Greek booze, these creative twists will take your ouzo drinks to the next level.

    From light and refreshing to tropical and zesty, these ouzo cocktail recipes prove that there's more than one way to enjoy Greece's favorite spirit. Whether you're looking for a fun party drink or a simple ouzo cocktail to enjoy on a warm evening, these cocktails with ouzo will bring a taste of the Mediterranean straight to your glass.

    Don't miss my other Greek inspired Greek cocktails, cucumber lime and tsipouro cocktail and a Greek twist on the classic Margarita, this watermelon margarita with feta on the rim.

    Ready to discover your new favorite ouzo cocktail? Let's mix up some magic!

    🎥Ouzo Cocktails Video

    Discover 5 amazing ouzo cocktails that bring a Greek twist to your drinks! 🍹🇬🇷 Watch the video and stir up something unique!

    1. Greek Summer Breeze (Ouzo Lemonade)

    This simple mix of ouzo and lemonade is one of the Greeks' favorite ways to enjoy ouzo! With approximately 9% ABV, this cocktail is bubbly, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink. Pair it with food or enjoy it with friends on a hot afternoon.

    A glass with ouzo and lemonade.

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 oz (45 ml) ouzo liquor
    • 5 oz (150 ml) sparkling lemonade, cold
    • Ice cubes
    • Garnish: Lemon wheel and spearmint (or mint) leaves for garnish

    👉 You can substitute the sparkling lemonade with freshly squeezed lemon juice, sweetener of choice and sparkling water or sparkling mastic water.

    Instructions

    1. Pour the ouzo in the glass.
    2. Add the sparkling lemonade.
    3. Fill with ice.
    4. Stir gently and garnish with a lemon slice and a sprig of spearmint.

    🥂For a more refined version of this cocktail, try this ouzo lemon drink.

    2. Mediterranean Sunrise

    This drink, with approximately 11% ABV, combines the boldness of ouzo with the zesty character of orange-perfect for brunch or sipping by the beach.

    A glass with ouzo and orange juice.

    Ingredients

    • 1.5 oz (45 ml) ouzo
    • 4 oz (120 ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed
    • Ice cubes
    • Garnish: Orange wheel

    Instructions

    1. Pour the ouzo in the glass.
    2. Add the orange juice.
    3. Fill with ice.
    4. Stir gently and garnish with an orange wheel.

    3. Aegean Paradise

    Everyone loves this refreshing ouzo cocktail with an exotic twist! Perfect for sipping on a sunny day or serving at your next gathering. Approximately 12.5% ABV

    A glass with ouzo, pineapple juice and orange juice.

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz (60 ml) ouzo
    • 2 oz (60 ml) pineapple juice
    • 2 oz (60 ml) orange juice
    • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
    • 2-3 drops vanilla extract
    • Ice cubes
    • Garnish: A pineapple chunk

    Instructions

    1. Add the vanilla extract and the maple syrup to the glass.
    2. Pour the ouzo liquor, then the pineapple juice and the orange juice.
    3. Fill with ice.
    4. Stir gently and garnish with a piece of pineapple.

    👉 Crushed black peppercorns can be added for a bit of spiciness. In this case, shake the drink in the shaker and strain over the glass.

    4. Greek Sunset

    With the classic Greek pairing of ouzo and sour cherry, this cocktail takes on the vibrant color of a Santorini sunset. Approximately 19% ABV.

    A glass with ouzo, lime and tart cherry juice.

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz (60 ml) ouzo
    • 1.5 oz (45 ml) sour cherry (tart cherry) juice*
    • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) maple syrup
    • ice
    • Garnish: sour cherries spoon sweet

    * The sour cherry juice I've used contains some sugar and water (it's called sour cherry drink in Greece). If you use 100% sour cherry juice, you will probably need to increase the sweetener. Taste and adjust.

    👉 Blueberry juice or pomegranate juice can be used instead of sour cherry.

    👉 Fresh lemon juice can be used instead of lime juice. Taste and adjust the sweetener if needed.

    Instructions

    1. Pour the ouzo in the glass.
    2. Add the tart cherry juice, the lime juice and the maple syrup.
    3. Stir with a spoon and fill with ice.
    4. Garnish with preserved sour cherries pierced with a toothpick.

    5. Ouzo Mastiha Fizz

    If you like drier, less fruity drinks, this one is for you. Light, aromatic, and packed with mastic flavor, this cocktail is a celebration of Greek flavors. Approximately 17.5% ABV.

    A glass with ouzo, lime and mastic liqueur.

    Ingredients

    • 1 oz (30 ml) ouzo
    • 1 oz (30 ml) mastic liqeur
    • 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice
    • 1.5 oz (45 ml) sparkling mastic flavored water*
    • Sweetener of choice (optional)
    • Ice
    • Garnish: lime peel

    👉 Fresh lemon juice can be used instead of lime juice. Taste and add sweetener if needed.

    *Mastic flavored water is common in Greece. If you can't find it, you can also usesparkling water, soda water, sprite or tonic.

    Instructions

    1. Pour the ouzo and the mastic liqueur in the glass.
    2. Add the lime juice and the mastic flavored water.
    3. Stir gently with a spoon and fill with ice.
    4. Garnish with a lemon peel ribbon.

    👨‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Always serve ouzo cocktails ice-cold - The anise flavors are more refreshing when chilled.
    • Use fresh citrus juice - Bottled juice won't give you the same vibrant taste.
    • Experiment with herbs - In Greece we love spearmint, but you can also try adding fresh mint leaves, basil, or rosemary to enhance the Mediterranean flavors.
    • Adjust the sweetness - If you prefer a sweeter drink, add a touch more honey or liquid stevia.
    • This is a guide to Types of Cocktail Glasses for Your Favourite Summer Drinks (external link).
    Five Ouzo cocktails on a wooden surface.

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    Next time you're looking for a refreshing and unique cocktail, ditch the usual and dive into these Greek beverage recipes. Whether you're hosting a summer gathering or just unwinding after a long day, these ouzo  cocktails will transport you straight to the Mediterranean.

    Please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. It means a lot to me and I love hearing from you!

    📖 Recipe

    Ouzo cocktails

    Greek booze: 5 Ouzo Cocktails You Need to Try

    Makos
    Ouzo isn't just a drink-it's the spirit of Greece in a glass. But why stop at the classic sip when you can shake things up? These 5 simple but delicious Ouzo cocktails will bring a little Greek magic to your day.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course aperitif, Drinks
    Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean
    Servings 1 servings
    Calories 216 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • Ouzo liquor
    • Sparkling lemonade
    • Fresh fruit (for juice and garnish)
    • Fresh herbs (spearmint, mint, rosemary, basil)
    • Sweetener (maple syrup, honey or liquid stevia)
    • Vanilla extract
    • Tart cherry juice
    • Sparkling water (or club soda, Sprite, or tonic water)
    • Mastic liqueur (mastiha)
    • Ice

    Instructions
     

    • Choose your favorite cocktail glass. It can be a Highball glass, an old-fashioned glass or a normal tumbler.
      A hand holding an old fashioned glass.
    • Pour the ouzo and add the rest of the ingredients.
      A hand pouring ouzo into a glass.
    • Stir well and fill with ice.
      A hand stirring the cocktail with a spoon.
    • Garnish accordingly and enjoy!
      A handing adding a piece of pineapple on the rim of the glass.

    Notes

    Nutrition information is based on the Aegean Paradise Cocktail (ouzo-pineapple-orange juice).
    The quantities of ingredients for each cocktail are listed in the corresponding paragraph within the article.  
    The alcohol content of ouzo is approximately 40%, but that can vary slightly depending on the brand.
    Sweetener: I've used maple syrup because it dissolves quickly. You can also use honey, but you'll need to stir your drink longer. Liquid stevia or another sweetener of your choice can also be used as needed.

    More Greek Drinks to Try:

    • Cucumber lime and tsipouro cocktail
    • Watermelon margarita with feta on the rim
    • Greek freddo espresso

    Nutrition

    Calories: 216kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 269mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 252IUVitamin C: 63mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    💭 FAQs

    What is the Signature Cocktail of Greece?

    A country's signature cocktail is a drink strongly associated with that nation, often because it originated there or features local ingredients. It reflects the country's culture, flavors, and drinking traditions. While ouzo is undoubtedly Greece's signature drink, it is not a cocktail. However, one of the most popular ways to enjoy it is mixed with lemonade. In that sense, ouzo lemonade could be considered Greece's signature cocktail.

    What Mixes Well with Ouzo?

    If you're wondering what to mix with ouzo drink recipes, here are some of the best pairings:
    Citrus juices - Lemon, lime, and orange complement the anise flavor.
    Herbs - Mint, rosemary, and basil add depth and aroma.
    Sweeteners - Honey, simple syrup, or grenadine balance the licorice-like taste.
    Soda & tonic - Light and bubbly mixers help mellow the intensity of ouzo.
    Sprite or Sparkling lemonade - The slight sweetness makes it a perfect fizzy mixer.

    What is the cocktail rule?

    When making cocktails, certain rules help achieve a balanced and enjoyable drink. One popular rule for crafting strong cocktails is the 2:1:1 rule. This formula calls for:
    2 parts spirit (e.g., rum)
    1 part acidity/citrus (e.g., lime juice)
    1 part sugar (e.g., simple syrup)
    This combination results in a balanced drink with around 20% ABV, making it a strong cocktail that highlights the spirit while offering a good balance of sweetness and acidity.

    In contrast, Tiki cocktails follow a more complex structure. A true tiki drink typically consists of:
    1 part sour juices
    2 parts sugar syrup
    3 parts spirits & liqueurs
    4 parts juices or (ice) water
    Additionally, tiki cocktails often include baking spices or bitters to add extra depth and complexity. With these ingredients, tiki cocktails generally have an ABV ranging from 10% to 16%, offering a more relaxed, flavorful profile perfect for sipping.

    Sources:
    Tiki cocktail flavor structure (external link)
    Understanding The 2:1:1 Cocktail Formula for Sours (YouTube video)

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    • A tall narrow glass filled with ouzo and water.
      What is Ouzo and How to Drink It
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    Comments

      5 from 1 vote

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    1. George says

      March 14, 2025 at 5:05 pm

      5 stars
      I love ouzo lemonade but I “ll make sure to try the rest of the 5. Yamas!

      Reply
      • Makos says

        March 14, 2025 at 5:06 pm

        Thank you very much George , Yamas!

        Reply
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